Effect of Co-Driver on Job Content and Depression of Truck Drivers

BACKGROUND: Since the presence of a co-driver can be considered as a companion, partner, or friend for a driver through eliminating driver's loneliness, it plays a significant role in health and safety of drivers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of co-drivers on depression and occupational stress on male truck drivers. METHODS: This study was an interventional case-control study. Seventy truck drivers were selected and divided into two groups: case (33 truck drivers with co-drivers) and control (37 truck drivers without co-drivers). Two Goldberg depression inventories (for evaluating driver's depression) and the Karasek job content questionnaire (for evaluating driver's job stress) were used to collect data which were completed by interview. RESULTS: The results showed that job content values for the case group were higher in all dimensions except job nature. The comparison of the percentages showed significant difference between two groups. Depression rate in drivers with co-driver is truly less than depression rate in drivers without co-driver. There was significant positive relationship between dimensions of job content and depression rate. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be claimed that a co-driver decreases stress and loneliness of drivers, as well as increases work performance and job satisfaction, and, in turn, leads to a decrease in job-related depression.

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

@#The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self-administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212- 0.867), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445-0.921), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162-1.425), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023-4.647) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI0.166-0.995).Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to probable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs.

Sick Building Syndrome And Mental Health Among University Laboratory Staffs

he aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross - sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self - administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212 - 0.867 ), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445 - 0.921 ), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162 - 1.425 ), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023 - 4.647 ) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI 0.166 - 0.995). Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to pr obable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs

Assessing stress at work: The Portuguese version of the Job Content Questionnaire / Avaliação do estresse no trabalho: a versão portuguesa do Job Content Questionnaire / Evaluación del estrés laboral: versión portuguesa del Job Content Questionnaire

The aim of this paper was to study one of the most important tools for assessing the psychosocial factors underlying stress at work. The study of the Portuguese version of the Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) also intends to contribute to the discussion about the theoretical model (the division of the decision latitude in one or two dimensions) and the scale itself (the adequacy of the items from the Psychological Job Demand Scale). Construct validity of the questionnaire was examined using an exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood with promax rotation). After deleting three items, the analysis found a four-factor model. The reliability was estimated with Cronbach's alpha, indicating appropriate internal consistency for three scales and problems for psychological job demands. The findings suggest that the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the JCQ are satisfactory, although further improvement is needed for the psychological job demands scale. The results do not support the theoretical decision of dividing the decision latitude scale into two dimensions.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi averiguar uma das ferramentas mais importantes para avaliar os fatores psicossociais e organizacionais subjacentes ao estresse no trabalho. O estudo da versão portuguesa do Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), de Karasek, visa também contribuir para a discussão sobre a divisão da latitude de decisão em uma ou duas dimensões e sobre a adequação dos itens da escala exigências psicológicas do trabalho. A validade de construto foi avaliada por meio da análise fatorial exploratória, pelo método máxima probabilidade, com rotação promax. Depois de retirados três itens, foi encontrado um modelo de quatro fatores. O alfa de Cronbach mostrou que apenas a escala exigências psicológicas apresentava problemas de consistência interna. Os resultados sugerem que as propriedades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do JCQ são satisfatórias, embora seja ainda necessário melhorar a escala de exigências psicológicas. Os resultados não apoiam a decisão teórica de dividir a latitude em duas dimensões.(AU)

El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio de una de las herramientas más importantes para evaluar los factores psicosociales y organizacionales subyacentes al estrés en el trabajo. El estudio de la versión portuguesa del Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) de Karasek tiene también por finalidad contribuir a la discusión sobre la división de la latitud de decisión en una o dos dimensiones y sobre la adecuación de los ítems de la escala demanda psicológica del trabajo. La validez de constructo del cuestionario se examinó mediante análisis factorial exploratorio, por el método máxima probabilidad con la rotación Promax. Después de eliminar tres variables, el análisis encontró un modelo de cuatro factores. El alfa de Cronbach mostró que apenas la escala exigencias psicológicas presentaba problemas de consistencia interna. Los resultados sugieren que las propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa del JCQ-PT son satisfactorias, aunque es necesario mejorar la escala de demandas psicológicas. Los resultados no apoyan la decisión teórica de dividir la latitud en dos dimensiones.(AU)

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial aspects among dentists – A survey

Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms or disorders among dentists have been major concern in recent years. The most frequent injuries occur in spine (neck and back), shoulders, elbow and hands. In order to summarize, the study describes mainly about the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists, percentage of affection and prevalence of psychosocial aspects among dentists. Aim and objectives: The aim of the study was to find prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial aspects among dentist and among male and female dentists, among age groups (years) of dentists, between right handed and left handed dentists, between four categories of body mass index among dentists, dentists working in private practice, in academics and in both Private practice and academics, under‑ graduate and post‑ graduate level dentists between three categories of clinically experienced dentists between dentists working with assistant and without assistant and to find the prevalence of psychosocial risks among dentists. Materials and methods: To determine prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders by using standardized Nordic questionnaire for analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms and to determine prevalence of psychosocial aspects by using job content questionnaire. Results: Results of the study revealed that there is prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among dentists. Among 463 dentist’s, total percentage of musculoskeletal affection was Farah Riyazuddin Munshi, Edrish Saifee Contractor, Muzammil Munshi. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial aspects among dentists - A survey. IAIM, 2016; 3(8): 185-192. Page 186 90.7%. The percentage of affection in specific body areas are as follows neck pain 73.8%, Low back 70%, shoulder 62.4%, upper back 23%, elbow 16.7%, hips 14%, ankle 11.2%, knee 7.6%. The prevalence of psychosocial risk was 68%. Conclusion: From this survey, it can be concluded that there was high prevalence of musculoskeletal and psychosocial risk factors among dentists. These work related musculoskeletal disorders can be prevented by correcting awkward posture when working and taking appropriate ergonomic measures.

Test–Retest Reliability Of The Malay Version Job Content Questionnaire (M-Jcq) Among Linemen Working In The Electrcity Sector

This cross sectional study investigated the test –retest reliability of the Malay Version Job Content Questionnaire (M- JCQ) among electricity linemen. The M-JCQquestionnaire was administered to 10 electricity linemen working in private sub-contract company. The data were collected at two occasions with one week interval of time between each sessions. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland Altman plot were used to analyze the reliability of the M-JCQ. The ICC for the ‘psychological demand’, ‘decision latitude’, ‘work related social support’ and ‘job insecurity’ scale were 0.96, 0.52, 0.99 and 0.55 respectively. The Bland Altman plot indicated that the tests and retest score for all the four scales had an acceptable agreement. These findings indicated that the M- JCQ is reliable and consistent for assessing work related psychosocial risk factors among electricity linemen.

A prevalence study on occupational stress and hypertension among steel production workers / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between occupational stress and hypertension in steel production workers.METHODS: By the stratified cluster sampling method,1 580 steel production workers from an iron and steel group company were selected as study subjects. Occupational stress was measured by the Chinese version of Job Content Questionnaire.The identification of having occupational stress was the ratio of job requirement dimension score over job self-decision dimension score turned to be ≥1. 00. The steel production workers' blood pressure was measured by the updated mercury sphygmomanometer. The effect of occupational stress on blood pressure in steel production workers was analyzed. RESULTS: The dimension score of job self-decision in hypertension group was lower than that in non-hypertension group [20( 16,23) vs 20( 17,24) scores,P < 0. 05]. There was no statistical significant difference in occupational stress ratio,job requirement and social support dimension scores between two groups( P > 0. 05). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that job self-decision and social support scores were negatively correlated with the incidence of hypertension [odds ratios( 95% confidence intervals) were 0. 68( 0. 51,0. 90) and 0. 54( 0. 45,0. 76),P < 0. 01]. CONCLUSION: Job selfdecision and social support are the influencing factors of the incidence of hypertension in steel production workers. The correlation among occupational stress,job requirement and hypertension are not found in steel production workers.

Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Job Strain among Crane Operators in a Port Container Terminal in Malaysia

The information on job strain among crane operators in Malaysia is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of job strain among crane operators working in port container terminals. A cross sectional study was carried out at a port container terminal in Malaysia. Data was collected using validated self-administered questionnaires, which consisted of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). All crane operators in the selected terminal participated in the study. Data was analyzed using SSPS version 19. Two-hundredand-forty crane operators participated in the study.. The prevalence of job strain determined from the JCQ was 43.8%. Job strain was significantly associated with psychological job demand, decision latitude, anxiety, physical isometric loads and muscle ache. The prevalence of job strain in this study was high. There is an urgent need to recognize the existence of this problem among crane operators by their respective management. Implementation of comprehensive stress management programs are recommended to reduce job strain among these workers. Keywords:I

Job Satisfaction among Doctors in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Job satisfaction is very important but very less studied issue.This study was an attempt to identify the demographic determinants of job satisfaction and to identify the areas, which serve as potent satisfiers and dissatisfiers in a doctor's job.It was found that doctors, like all professionals, derive their satisfaction from their work itself. Nearly 2/3rd of the responding doctors are happy with their jobs, but would appreciate a raise in salary and the availability of greater opportunity to grow for a more fulfilling professional life.Doctors derive satisfaction from their work, but are not very happy with their work environment. Tertiary care teaching hospitals in small cities need to build infrastructure and create opportunities for their medical men.

Difference of Physical Symptoms, PWI and JCQ according to Sasang Constitutions for Industrial Workers

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze industrial workers' stresses from physical symptoms, PWI, JCQ and tasks in classification of Sasang constitutions. METHOD: Data were collected from industrial workers in J Province from May 2003 to June 2003. Questionnaires were distributed and collected on the day of their physical examination. Collected data were analysed through chi2-test. RESULT: Health-related characteristics showed that most of smokers and drinkers were Taeumins and this result was statistically significant. Physical symptoms related to constitutions indicated that GI and neurologic symptoms are significantly more frequent in Soeumin. The percentage of subjects with moderate risk was high in order of Soyangin, Taeumin and Soeumin while the percentage of subjects with high risk was high in order of Soeumin, Taeumin and Soyangin. CONCLUSION: Through this study, Lee Jae Ma's theory was be confirmed compatible with disease characteristics. However, research with more various subjects and variables needs to be made.