ABSTRACT
@#Healthcare workers typically work in shift to ensure smooth operation of healthcare industries around the clock. However, working in shift put them at risk of developing occupational fatigue and sleepiness during and after work, with multiple adverse effects to themselves and patients under their care. This review aims to identify available evidence-based intervention for fatigue and sleepiness among healthcare workers working in shift. We searched PubMed, Scopus and CENTRAL database from January 2013 to December 2017. Selection criteria included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of any interventions on fatigue and/or sleepiness among shift workers. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts for relevant studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. We included 8 relevant trials with 7 review-relevant participants. Given the methodological diversity of the included studies in terms of interventions and assessment tools, it is not possible to determine the effectiveness of these interventions to reduce occupational fatigue or sleepiness among healthcare workers working in shift. More good quality RCTs with comparable assessment tools is needed.
ABSTRACT
@#Dual competing responsibilities between work and family are the challenges faced by most of the healthcare staff. Ineffective handling of these responsibilities may contribute to absenteeism which further disrupt the quality of work and reduce customer satisfaction. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of job absenteeism and to identify the association between family responsibilities and job absenteeism among nurses in teaching hospital. This was a cross sectional study targeted to nurses working in medical and surgical field based in a hospital. Questionnaires were distributed using stratified random sampling. Those with working services of less than one year were excluded. The mean age was 35.9 (SD=6.44) years old. Majority were female (94.0%) and Malay (96.0%). The one-year prevalence of absenteeism was 78.0% and majority were due to emergency leaves. Taking care of elderly and no help obtained for taking care of child showed significant associations with job absenteeism which both yielded four times higher odds for being absent. Employees with additional family responsibilities should receive support by the organisation to prevent further job absenteeism among nurses.
ABSTRACT
Air pollution has been widely known to have an influence on health of the general population. Air pollution can result from natural causes, human activities and transboundary air pollution. Weather and climate play crucial role in determining the pattern of air quality. In recent years, air pollution and recurrent episodes of haze has become a major concern in Malaysia. Surveillance data on concentrations of main air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, (CO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10) were found to be higher during the haze days and this may have an impact on health of the community as reflected by an increase in hospital admissions particularly the respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.