Association between COVID-19 post-infection and work capacity among healthcare workers in the National Referral Hospital in Indonesia

Background@#Patients who had severe COVID-19 infection were thought to be one of the factors affecting the suitability of work capacity. Functional capacity can be measured by 6-minute walking test (6MWT). Some particular jobs have a minimum functional capacity to be met. @*Objectives@#The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between severity of COVID-19 infection and work capacity among post-infected healthcare workers in the National Referral Hospital. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional study among healthcare workers who had COVID-19 infection from June to July 2021, and had undergone functional capacity examination from September to November 2021 was conducted. Data processing was carried out by collecting data from medical records of infected healthcare workers. Bivariate analysis statistic test was done to determine the association between degree of severity and work capacity. Determination of the suitability of work capacity was done by comparing the results of the functional capacity examination with the minimum estimated matabolic equivalents (METs) needs of workers. @*Results@#A total of 102 employees data from ages 25 to 58 years were collected. The result showed that 81 employees had unsuitable work capacity with most of them coming from the mild infected group (83.3%). Conclusion. There is no significant relationship (p>0.05) between age, gender, BMI, sequelae, comorbidities, and degree of severity of COVID-19 infection and work capacity among healthcare workers. Even though there is no signficant relationship between severity of COVID-19 and work capacity, this research shows there are more than 50% post-infected healthcare workers who have unsuitable work capacity.

The effect of COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety disorders among workers in a hospital in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan

INTRODUCTION@#During the global COVID-19 pandemic, health workers were found to have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder compared to non-health workers. Anxiety disorder that occurs chronically have a 25% chance to become a major depression disorder.@*OBJECTIVE@#The aim of this study is to understand the anxiety condition and related risk factors among workers in a Balikpapan hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*METHOD@#The design of this research used a cross sectional method that involved 279 respondents who are workers in a Balikpapan hospital. The study used SPSS version 20.0, using the chi square and Fisher’s Exact test for the bivariate analysis, and the logistic regression with enter method for the multivariate analysis.@*RESULTS@#The study shows that using the General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire from 279 hospital workers, there were 10.8% with mild-, 1.45% with moderate-, and 0.4% with severe anxiety disorder. A significant relation was found between anxiety disorder and risk factors such as being a health worker with p=0.001 and a 4.8 OR adj (95% CI: 1.9-12.3), working in areas with high risk of transmitting COVID-19 with p=0.04 and a 5.1 OR adj (95% CI: 1.0-24.2), and workers who are being quarantined with p=0.001 a 10.5 OR adj (2.6-42.3) after being adjusted by age and gender variables.@*CONCLUSION@#Significant relations were found between anxiety disorder among hospital workers with risk factors such as being health workers, working in areas with high risk of transmitting COVID-19, and workers who are being quarantined. Researchers strongly advise health providers to do regular monitoring and seek moral support especially for workers who have higher risk of anxiety disorder.

Relation of urinary mercury level to chronic fatigue syndrome among workers of artisanal and small-scale gold mining: A study of 3 districts in West Nusa Tenggara Province and Lebak District of Banten Province, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION@#Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a collection of symptoms from a substantial reduction in the ability to engage in preillness levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities that persists for more than six months and is accompanied by fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep. One of the effects of heavy metal exposure is the occurrence of CFS among workers. Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) workers used mercury in their work, and this leads to a higher risk of chronic mercury poisoning. One of the health problems dueto mercury exposure is the occurrence of CFS and this has not been studied among ASGM workers.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study intended to discover the prevalence of CFS among ASGM workers and the factors associated with it.@*METHOD@#This study used a cross-sectional design to find the relationship between independent variables such as age, sex, working period as a miner, type of work activities in ASGM, and cumulative urinary mercury levels with CFS in ASGM workers in West Nusa Tenggara and Banten province. CFS was measured using standardized questionnaire on effect on mercury released by WHO-UNEP, and creatinine-corrected urinary mercury levels.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of CFS in ASGM workers in West Nusa Tenggara and Banten provinces was 17.9%. Based on the results, the factors of age, sex, work period, type of work, province of origin and cumulative urinary mercury levels did not have a statistically significant relationship with CFS (p> 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#There was no significant relationship between age, sex, work period, type of work, urinary mercury level and cumulative urinary mercury levels with CFS in ASGM workers.

Correlation between tryptophan daily intake and occupational factors with stress outcome scores among offshore and onshore workers

INTRODUCTION@#Offshore and onshore workers have a higher risk of psychological stress related to their job. Stress reactions vary depending on the type of stressor, the duration or severity of the stressor, their genetics, their coping styles, and their nutrition. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid precursor of serotonin and melatonin, which have an antidepressant effect and roles in stress perception and management. This study assessed the correlation of daily tryptophan intake and occupational factors with stress outcome scores based on the Indonesian Short Version New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (SV-NBJSQ) among offshore and onshore workers.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted on 14 offshore workers and 20 onshore workers. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted to obtain demographic data, dietary intake, occupational factors, and stress outcome scores. Tryptophan daily intake was measured through a single 24-hour dietary recall and a one-day-weighted food record. Data of average daily intake for two days were analyzed using the NutriSurvey software based on the food composition table from The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for calculating tryptophan intake.@*RESULTS@#The median (min-max) tryptophan daily intake of offshore workers was 5.5 (1.9–9.9) mg/kg, and 4.5 (1.4–7.5) mg/kg among onshore workers. There was no difference in tryptophan daily intake between offshore and onshore workers (p = 0.064). There was no significant difference between occupational factors except for the shorter tenure of offshore workers (12.5 vs 3, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between tryptophan daily intake and each of the stress outcome scores. There was a significant correlation between occupational factors and stress outcome scores among offshore and onshore workers, specifically between workload and fatigue (r = 0.35, p =0.04), workload and depression (r = 0.4, p = 0.02), interpersonal conflict and anxiety (r = 0.47, p = 0.005), role conflict and anxiety (r = 0.47, p = 0.005), as well as between tenure and physical reaction stress (r = -0.42, p = 0.02).@*CONCLUSION@#Adequate tryptophan daily intake and high stress outcome scores among offshore and onshore oil and gas workers are observed in this study, and no correlation was found between the two. Similar food sources, homogeneous occupational stressors, the selection bias of the “healthy worker effect” or other factors that were not studied may influence the findings. There is a correlation between occupational factors and stress outcome scores, namely workload and fatigue, workload and depression, interpersonal conflict and anxiety, role conflict and anxiety, and tenure and stress physical reactions.

Return to Work Assessment in a Radiographer Assistant Suffering a Hemianopsia due to an Ischemic Stroke

@#Return to work assessment (RTWA) has been performed to a radiographer assistant suffering a hemianopsia due to an ischemic stroke. Stroke occurred two months prior to the examination. The general condition of the patient was good. The systemic examination was unremarkable except the presence of a partial vision loss in the left eye and often feeling fatigue and down. Perimetry Full-field 120 Point Screening Test confirmed a left temporal hemianopsia while Patient Health Questionnaire’s score (PHQ-9) indicated a moderate depression. The two conditions were not fully compatible with the job demand of a radiographer assistant, which required a complete and clear visual field as well as a good mental status. Risk assessment indicated that the patient might encounter health and safety issues if he resumed duty without work adjustment. The clinic still wanted to employ the patient and agreed to provide support. The patient was declared ‘fit’ to resume his duty with some recommendations.

Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among White-Collar and Blue-Collar Workers in Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Working status is identified as a major risk factor of poor breastfeeding practices among workers. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and factors associated with breastfeeding practice among white-collar and blue-collar workers in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in two factories and three government offices in Jakarta from December 2015 to February 2016. Subjects were woman workers whose children were age 6 to 24 months old and actively working in the factory and/or office. The factors studied were selected socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, score on knowledge and attitude, and breastfeeding practice during working hours. RESULTS: From a total of 192 subjects, 73% of white-collar workers had good knowledge on breastfeeding, in contrast with 55% of blue-collar workers who had not good breastfeeding knowledge (P < 0.001). Most of the subjects were conducting breast pumping during working hours, however 15% of white-collar workers and 17% of blue-collar workers never breastfeed nor breast pumped at work. Working status (P = 0.005) and knowledge (P = 0.002) were factors associated with breastfeeding practice among workers. CONCLUSION: White-collar workers have a better knowledge, attitude, and practice toward breastfeeding. Knowledge improvement related to breastfeeding benefits and supports to working mothers are a key priority, however advocacy to employers, managers, and supervisors in providing breastfeeding facilitation and program support were also critical to successful breastfeeding practice among workers.

Benefits of a Dedicated Breastfeeding Facility and Support Program for Exclusive Breastfeeding among Workers in Indonesia / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: A mother's working environment is believed to be a major determinant of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice. We aimed to define the influence of a facility dedicated to breastfeeding and a breastfeeding support program at the workplace on breastfeeding practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in five workplaces. The inclusion criteria were female workers whose last child was between 6 and 36 months old. Observational data were obtained and a questionnaire was filled out. The World Health Organization definition for EBF was used. RESULTS: Data from 186 subjects (74 office workers and 112 factory workers) were collected. Just over half (52%) of the mothers were between 20 and 46 years old, 75.3% had graduated from high school and university, 12.9% had more than two children and 36.0% owned a house. The prevalence of EBF during the last 6 months was 32.3%. A proper dedicated breastfeeding facility was available for 21.5% of the mothers, but only 7.5% had been in contact with a breastfeeding support program. The presence of a dedicated breastfeeding facility increased EBF practice almost threefold, by an odds ratio (OR) of 2.74 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.34-5.64 (p<0.05). Knowledge of the breastfeeding support program increased EBF practice by almost six times (OR, 5.93; 95% CI, 1.78-19.79) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Governments should make it obligatory for employers to offer a breastfeeding support program and a dedicated breastfeeding facility at the workplace as these simple measures significantly increase EBF.