Low back pain in workers. Occupational risk and related variables / Dolor lumbar en trabajadores. Riesgos laborales y variables relacionadas

ABSTRACT Introduction: Low back pain is a prevalent condition with health, social and occupational impact. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of social and occupational factors on worker patients with low back pain. Method: A descriptive study was conducted on 349 subjects with low back pain. The main independent variable was being a manual or non-manual worker. Other social-occupational and lifestyle variables were also considered. The level of disability was established according to the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire, and the association between the type of job and the test was evaluated using multiple linear regressions. Results: Manual workers are heavier smokers (47%), experience more pain (74.3%), have a lower economic status (89.3%), use more drugs (57.7%), have limitations in walking (17.5%) and standing (25.6%), used carrying protocols (85.5%), make repetitive movements (77.4%). They made trunk (52.6%) and upper limb movements (24.8%), and received less prevention training (51.7%), but used low back protection (19.6%). The non-manual workers had greater limitation in handling loads (37.4%) and sitting (43.5%), and computer screen user protocols were applied (94.8%), and had a lower social class classification (57.1 low-middle class). Performing manual tasks at work is significantly associated with an increase of 2 points in the Oswestry test compared to non-manual workers, when adjusted for age and gender (coefficient β: 2, 95% CI: 0.6-3.36). Conclusion: Low back pain is a prevalent condition, with an unfavorable prognosis that has an individual, social, and occupational impact. Performing manual tasks is associated with an increase in the disability scale, regardless of age and gender.

RESUMEN Introducción: El dolor lumbar es una dolencia prevalente con repercusión sanitaria, social y laboral. Es objetivo de este trabajo valorar la influencia de las variables sociolaborales en pacientes con lumbalgia que trabajan. Método: Estudio descriptivo en 349 sujetos con lumbalgia. Es variable independiente principal ser trabajador manual y no manual; también son recogidas otras variables sociolaborales y de estilo de vida. La incapacidad se obtuvo mediante la escala del cuestionario de Oswestry y la asociación entre el tipo de tarea y el test se evaluó con regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: Los trabajadores manuales consumen más tabaco (47%), tienen más dolor (74,3%), peor situación económica (89,3%), consumen más fármacos (57,7%), tienen limitación en deambulación (17,5%) y bipedestación (25,6%), se les aplican protocolos de cargas (85,5%) y movimientos repetidos (77,4%), realizan movimientos de tronco (52,6%) y miembros superiores (24,8%) y reciben menor formación preventiva (51,7%), pero utilizan protección lumbar (19,6%). Los trabajadores no manuales tienen mayor limitación en cargas (37,4%) y sedestación (43,5%) se les aplican protocolos de usuarios de pantallas (94,8%) y tienen peor tipificación en clase social (57,1 clase media-baja). Realizar tareas manuales en el trabajo se asocia significativamente con un aumento de 2 puntos en el test de Oswestry respecto a los no manuales, ajustado por edad y género (coeficiente β: 2, IC 95%: 0,65-3,36). Conclusión: La lumbalgia es una dolencia prevalente, de curso desfavorable, que implica impacto individual, social y laboral. Realizar tareas manuales se asocia con un aumento en la escala de incapacidad, independientemente de la edad y el género.

Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the basic characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and its differences between occupations using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI). METHODS: The study participants were obtained from the NEI and NHI data from 2008 to 2015, with a diagnosis code of G560 (CTS) as the main or sub-diagnosis. Data about gender, age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and length of employment, information about type of occupation, and number of employees according to age and occupation were obtained from NHI and NEI data. In total, 240 occupations were classified into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) work. In addition, each occupation was classified as high-risk and low-risk groups depending on the degree of wrist usage. RESULTS: The number of patients with CTS per 100,000 individuals increased with advancing age, and it was higher in women (4,572.2) than in men (1,798.5). Furthermore, the number was higher in BC workers (3,247.5) than in WC workers (1,824.1) as well as in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group in both BC workers (3,527.8 vs. 1,908.2) and WC workers (1,829.9 vs. 1,754.4). The number of patients with CTS was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group among male and female BC workers and female WC workers. However, the number was higher in the low-risk group among male WC workers. In the BC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among food processing-related workers (19,984.5). In the WC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among social workers and counselors (7,444.1). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are expected to help identify occupational differences in patterns of CTS. High number of patients with CTS was seen in new jobs, as well as in previous studies.

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.

Metabolic Syndrome and Body Composition measurements in Blue-Collar Workers from a Metal-Mechanic Factory in Soledad. Preliminary Report / Síndrome Metabólico y Mediciones de la Composición Corporal en Trabajadores de una Planta Metal-Mecánica en Soledad. Reporte Preliminar

Abstract Introduction: Data regarding the incidence of MetS and the relationship with some body composition measurements in blue-collar workers from Soledad were obtained, as part of a wider research. Methods: Data on weight (W), height (H), BMI, waist, hip, WHR, percentage of body fat (%BF), fat mass, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides (TG) were obtained from 236 male blue-collar workers in a metal-mechanic factory at Soledad, a municipality of Departamento del Atlántico in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) definition for metabolic syndrome was used. Metabolic Syndrome components (MetS) and correlations with body composition measurements were calculated. Results: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 20.7% (95%CI=15%, 26%). Waist circumference above 102 cm. was found in 11.8% (95%CI=7.5%, 16.2%); 43.2% (95%CI=36.6%, 49.7%) had triglycerides levels greater than 150 mg/dl., blood pressure > 130/85 was found in 10.2% (95%CI=6.1%, 14.2%) and FBG >100 mg/dl in 10.5% (95%CI=6.4%, 14.7%). BMI and %BF correlates well with waist, BP, FBG and TG. Conclusions: Prevalence of MetS in this blue-collar workers' sample at Soledad is in agreement with other papers published in Colombia, as well as in other countries. Abdominal obesity was below the national data. In this population, BMI and %BF could be a good proxy to evaluate MetS.

Resumen Introducción: Se obtuvo un conjunto de datos, como parte de una investigación más amplia, en relación a la incidencia de Síndrome Metabólico (SM) y su relación con algunas mediciones de composición corporal en trabajadores en Soledad. Métodos: Se registraron los datos del peso (P), talla (T), Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC), cintura, cadera, Indice Cintura-Cadera (ICC), porcentaje de grasa corporal (%GC), masa grasa, presión arterial (PA), glucosa sanguínea en ayunas (GSA), colesterol total (CT), lipoproteínas de alta densidad (LAD), lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LBD), lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (LMBD) y triglicéridos (TG) en 236 obreros de una fábrica metalmecánica en Soledad, municipio del Departamento del Atlántico en la costa caribe Colombiana. Se utilizó para definir el Síndrome Metabólico (SM) los criterios del Adult Treatment Panel III (2001). Se calcularon los componentes del SM y las correlaciones con las mediciones de la composición corporal. Resultados: La prevalencia global del Síndrome Metabólico fue de 20.7% (95%CI=15%, 26%). La circunferencia de la cintura por encima de 102cm. se encontró en 11.8% (95%CI=7.5%, 16.2%); 43.2% (95%CI=36.6%, 49.7%) tenían niveles de triglicéridos mayores a 150mg/dl; la presión sanguínea > 130/85 se encontró en 10.2% de los casos (95%CI=6.1%, 14.2%) y la GSA >100 mg/dl en 10.5% (95%CI=6.4%, 14.7%). El IMC y el %GC se correlacionaron bien con la cintura, la presión arterial, la glucosa sanguínea en ayunas y los triglicéridos. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de SM entre los obreros en esta muestra en Soledad, está de acuerdo con otros trabajos publicados en Colombia, así como en otros países. La obesidad abdominal estuvo por debajo de los datos nacionales. En esta población, el IMC y el %GC pudieran ser un buen aproximado para evaluar el SM.

Prevalence and Correlates of Current and Former Smoking among Urban Transit Workers

Transit workers constitute a blue-collar occupational group that have elevated smoking rates relative to other sectors of employed adults in the United States. This study analyzed cross-sectional tobacco survey data from 935 workers (60% African American; 37% female) employed at an urban public transit agency in California. Prevalence of current and former smoking was 20.3% and 20.6%, respectively. Younger workers were less likely than older workers to be current or former smokers. Having a complete home smoking ban was associated with decreased likelihood of being a smoker [odds ratio (OR) = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01–0.17], as were neutral views about whether it is easy for a smoker to take a smoking break during their shift (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.88). Current smoking among the sample is > 50% higher than the adult statewide prevalence. Potential points of intervention identified in this study include perceived ease of worksite smoking breaks and establishing home smoking bans. Tailored cessation efforts focusing on older transit workers more likely to smoke are needed to reduce tobacco-related disparities in this workforce.

Relationships between job stress and caffeine intake in industrial workers / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the degree of job stress and caffeine intake in workers in industrial positions in order to determine the relationships between job stress and caffeine intake. METHODS: For this purpose, this study conducted a survey targeting 361 blue collar workers working for K manufacturing company, Gwangju. RESULTS: The total score for job stress in subjects was 72.7 ± 6.8 points/100 points. According to job stress, subjects were categorized as follows: Q1 for the group who had the least stress; Q2 for the group who had little stress; Q3 for the group who had a lot of stress, and Q4 for the group who had the most stress. As for the effects of caffeine on health, 57.1% thought that caffeine is helpful and not harmful if taken properly while 17.3% responded that less caffeine consumption is better. Daily intake of caffeine according to stress was presented as: 172.0 ± 85.3 mg in Q1, 179.0 ± 83.7 mg in Q2, 187.9 ± 81.4 mg in Q3, and 214.2 ± 147.3 mg in Q4 (p < 0.05). The percentages of caffeine consumption compared to the daily safe limit in subjects were: 43.0 ± 21.3, 44.8 ± 20.9, 47.1 ± 20.4, and 53.6 ± 36.8% in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (p < 0.05). Adverse effects such as nausea or vomiting from caffeine were most common in Q4 (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: As a result, higher stress in blue collar workers working for K manufacturing company was associated with more caffeine consumption. Groups with a lot of stress (Q4) consumed approximately 50% of daily safe limit of caffeine. Considering the results above, this study suggests that further research on more precise caffeine intake and its effects is needed.

A Tobacco Cessation Intervention with Rural, Medically Underserved, Blue-collar Employees: A Quasiexperimental Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to increase knowledge regarding the dangers associated with tobacco use, and decrease secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco use behaviors with an antitobacco messaging campaign among rural, medically underserved, blue-collar workers. METHODS: A quasiexperimental study was conducted with employees at two worksites. One worksite received the intervention, which consisted of nine different antitobacco messages. Baseline and follow-up surveys were conducted at each worksite to assess change in knowledge and behavior; the data were compared across the two worksites. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-two and 243 participants completed baseline and follow-up surveys at the intervention and comparison sites, respectively. A statistically significant difference was seen over time between the worksites on knowledge of the dangers of tobacco (p < 0.0001); the mean knowledge score increased at the intervention site, but remained unchanged at the comparison site. In general, nonsmokers at both worksites appeared to try to decrease exposure to secondhand smoke over the follow-up period. Repeated measures analysis indicated that there were no differences in motivation to quit (p = 0.81), interest in quitting (p = 0.40), thinking about quitting (p = 0.53), or several tobacco-use behaviors over time among smokers at the intervention and comparison worksites. There were slight increases over time in the proportion of smokers who do not allow smoking in their homes/vehicles at the intervention worksite, although not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Participants at the intervention worksite increased their knowledge regarding the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. Among current tobacco users, the intervention appeared to increase family rules regarding secondhand smoke exposure in their homes and vehicles.

Factors Affecting Health-related Quality of Life on Korean Blue-collar Workers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean blue-collar workers' Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and influencing factors in Korean blue-collar workers. METHODS: Participants in this study were 109 Korean blue-collar workers. The survey included health-related, work-related, and psycho-social factors. SF-36 was used to measure HRQoL. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: In the hierarchical linear regression model, when subjects' psycho-social variables were included in the regression model, R2 change was statistically significant. The significant predictors for HRQoL were education level (beta=.26, p=.023), depression (beta=-.38, p<.001), and self-efficacy (beta=.23, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that health care providers must have priority to consider psycho-social variables, especially depression and self-efficacy to improve HRQoL in Korean blue-collar workers.

Factors Associated with Blue-collar Workers' Risk Perception of Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of actual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, as well as, individual, psychosocial, and work-related factors as predictors of CVD risk perception among Korean blue-collar workers. METHODS: The participants were 238 Korean blue-collar workers who worked in small companies. Data were collected through a survey; anthropometric and blood pressure measures; and blood sampling for lipid levels. RESULTS: Blue-collar workers had high actual CVD risk and low CVD risk perception. The significant predictors of risk perception included perceived health status, alcohol consumption, knowledge of CVD risk, actual CVD risk, decision latitude, and shift work. The model explained 26% of the variance in CVD risk perception. CONCLUSION: The result suggests when occupational health nurses are giving routine health examination in small companies, they can enhance CVD risk perception in blue-collar workers by providing essential information about CVD risk factors and personal counseling on the individual worker's CVD risk status.

Second-hand Smoke Exposure and Urine Cotinine Levels by Occupation in the Busan, Ulsan, Kyeongnam Provinces / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to second-hand smoke varied by smoking rate in the workplace and no-smoking policies. The purpose of this study was to estimate the status of second-hand smoke exposure by occupation through urine cotinine analysis in Busan, Ulsan, and Kyeongnam provinces. METHODS: Data was obtained from the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea as 'The 2008 Korea National Survey for Environmental Pollutants in Human Body'. We selected 629 non-smokers who lived in Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam provinces. General and occupational characteristics were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Urine cotinine concentrations were analyzed by a gas chromatograph-mass selective detector. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi-square test, Student t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: The geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) of urine cotinine concentration was 17.11 (2.74) ng/ml. The urine cotinine concentration of the middle school graduate group (18.47 (2.86) ng/ml) was higher than the college graduate group (15.64 (2.60) ng/ml, p=0.212). Also, the cotinine concentration of current drinkers (18.98 (2.47) ng/ml) was higher than non-drinkers (16.15 (2.88) ng/ml, p=0.054). The proportion who smelled smoke was higher in workers (38.5%) than in non-workers (29.7%, p=0.02). Therefore, urine cotinine concentration was higher in workers (17.29 (2.66) ng/ml) than in non-workers (16.97 (2.81) ng/ml) but not at a statistically significant amount (p=0.826). In addition, cotinine concentration between the group who smelled smoke (20.45 (2.42) ng/ml) and the group who did not smelled smoke (15.53 (2.78) ng/ml) was significantly different (p=0.016) in workers but not in non-workers (17.08 (2.42) ng/ml vs 16.92 (2.98) ng/ml, p=0.942). According to the National Center for Health Statistics occupational categories in the US and the Korea Standard Classification of Occupations, the urine cotinine concentration of white collar workers such as technical workers and administrators, professional specialists, and managers was higher (18.01 (2.55) ng/ml) than that of blue collar workers such as plant and machine operators and assemblers, elementary occupations, and craft and related trades workers (15.36 (3.48) ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The workplace is an important contributor to second-hand smoke exposure in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces. Unlike in advanced countries, where anti-smoking policies have been implemented, urine cotinine concentration in people in Busan, Ulsan and Kyeongnam provinces was higher in the white collar group than in the blue collar group. This result might be due to a higher indoor second-hand smoking rate of workplaces in these areas. Further studies are needed to evaluate the correlation between regional characteristics of industries, anti-smoking policies in the workplace, smoking rates and urine cotinine concentrations of workers.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Present State of Spa Bathing and Health Condition in Male White- and Blue-Collar Employees / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between frequency of bathing in a spa and at home and the characteristics of the body, blood, and lifestyle of white-collar and blue-collar male employees.<br>To recruit subjects, two baseline data for randomized controlled trials in two places in Shimane Prefecture and in Nagano Prefecture were used. In the two-month period between August and September 2006, 43 of 311 white-collar male employees aged between 30 and 57 years in the Unnan municipal office volunteered to participate in this study. Similarly, 44 blue-collar workers in Nagano Prefecture volunteered to be involved in this study as a result of an appeal for volunteers in local newspapers and public information journals published by large local enterprises from September through November 2006. A total of 87 men were subjects of this study. Items evaluated in this study with respect to physique included height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, and percent of body fat. With respect to strength, they were grip strength, abdominal strength, back strength, and anteflexion. With respect to characteristics of the blood, they were serum glucose, hemoglobin A1c, fructosamine, lactic acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, free fatty acid, GOT, GPT, γ-GTP, cholinesterase, natural killer cell activity, T cell, B cell, CD4+, CD8+, CD4/8 and uric acid. With respect to mood, Profile of Mood States was evaluated. With respect to lifestyle, the frequency of monthly bathing in a spa and at home was evaluated.<br>No significant correlation was revealed between frequency of monthly spa bathing and the health indices in the white and blue-collar male workers. The items that were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with frequency of monthly bathing at home were GOT (positive), CD8+ (positive), and mental stress (negative).<br>In this study, frequency of monthly spa bathing was found to have no significant correlation with the health indices.