Prevalence and risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorder among female domestic workers employed in private homes in South India: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational health problem accounting for a larger number of compensation days and disability among workers. An invisible workforce of female domestic workers (FDWs) is involved in back-breaking jobs in the informal job sectors, and yet, there are no studies to quantify their work-related MSD’s (WMSDs). The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among FDWs employed at private houses in Bengaluru, South India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 408 randomly selected FDWs with a comparative group. The trained interviewer assessed WMSDs using a standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and psychosocial distress using the general health questionnaire–12. Results: A high prevalence of WMSD was reported in the neck (19.6%), shoulder (23.8%), elbow (12%), upper back (31.9%), and ankle (26%) in domestic workers than the non-domestic workers. Age above 37 years (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.03–3.06), house cleaning ([>1715 h/year – AOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.60–2.84] [1714–555 h/year – AOR: 1.30, 95% CI:0.66–2.59]), and clothing ([Care >1460 h/year – AOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.12–5.35] [109–1459 h/year – AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 0.95–4.10]) were factors associated with neck pain in FDW. Moreover, work experience of more than 10 years (AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.32–3.34) and distress (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.25–3.61) was a factor associated with lower back pain in FDW. Conclusion: FDWs are substantially affected by WMSDs in the neck and lower back due to house cleaning and clothing care tasks performed in the workplace setting, respectively

Validation study of the distress thermometer: Psychosocial distress screening among head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to validate the Distress Thermometer Filipino version, (DT-F) in head and neck cancer patients and identify the cut off score of DT-F for psychosocial distress at which to make referrals for clinical intervention.@*METHODOLOGY@#After obtaining permission from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), translation and back-translation of the Distress Thermometer (DT) were done. One hundred ninety- two patients who fit the inclusion criteria were included in the study. They were from the outpatient clinic and ward of both the Cancer Institute and Otorhinolaryngology Department and each participant accomplished a socio-demographic form, the DT-F and Problem List, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Pilipino (HADS P) and had a brief psychiatric interview.@*RESULTS@#Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses generated area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7506, suggesting good discrimination using the HADS P cut off score of 11. The optimal cut off score in DT-F is 4, with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 58%. Hence, using this cut off score, head and neck cancer patients who score 4 and above in the DT-F were identified to experience clinically relevant psychosocial distress than those who score below the cut off.@*CONCLUSION@#The Filipino version of DT is a valid tool for screening psychosocial distress in head and neck cancer patients. Using a cut off score of 4 is recommended for appropriate and timely referral for further evaluation.

Clinical Implications of the Interdisciplinary Psychosocial Approach and Integrative Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer and Family Members in the Nutritional Support and Cancer Cachexia Clinic

Food and eating are of great significance to humans, as we are the only creatures that establish relationships and sustain a social network through food and eating. Recent studies revealed that patients with advanced cancer and their family members often experience complicated eating-related distress due to tumors themselves, side effects of cancer treatments, and negative impacts of cancer cachexia. Therefore, we suggested the importance of the integration of palliative, supportive, and nutritional care to alleviate eating-related distress among patients and family members, and the significance of the development of tools to measure their distress in supportive and palliative care settings. No care strategies for eating-related distress experienced by patients and family members have been established, and the development of an interdisciplinary psychosocial approach and integrative care is required. As such, we are planning to start a nutritional support and cancer cachexia clinic in the National Cancer Center, and disseminate a newly developed care program across Japan.

Psychosocial Distress and Blood Pressure among Young Adults: Role of Cortisol as Mediator

@#Introduction: Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases in Malaysia. 17.3% of hypertension cases in Malaysia is attributed to adults aged 18 to 39 years. Psychosocial distress is a possible risk factor for elevated blood pressure in young adults, and cortisol could be the mediating factor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mediating role of cortisol in hypertension and psychosocial distress in young adults. Methods and materials: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 240 young adults aged 18 to 45 years. The body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure parameters were recorded. Serum cortisol, creatinine, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were measured following acute mental stress test. Psychosocial distress was assessed using the DASS-21 questionnaire. Results: Mean (standard deviation) values for SBP, DBP, MAP were 126.0(16.3), 84.1(12.2) and 98.1(13.1) mmHg respectively. Anxiety was significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (β=0.644), diastolic blood pressure (β=0.454) and mean arterial pressure (β=0.516) after adjusting for sex, age and cortisol. However, it was not mediated by cortisol. Depression and stress were not found to have any effect on blood pressure of the young adults studied. Conclusion: The data suggest that there is no elevated risk for psychosocial distress and hypertension that cortisol poses in young adults.

Prevalence of psychosocial distress among flood victims in selected urban barangays in Manila

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of psychosocial problems among residents of four flood-prone barangays in Manila located along the Maricaban-Malibay creek in Pasay City and were reported to have experienced 10-15 feet-deep flood waters simultaneously caused by Typhoon Maring and the southwest monsoon in August 2013.METHODOLOGY: A stratified two-stage random cluster sampling method, adapted from the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) Toolkit, was employed in the syudy. The first stage of sampling used street clusters, with more or less of the same size, as the primary sampling unites (PSU) and households as secondary sampling units (SSU) to select the households that will be included in the survey. Since the clusters were more or less of the same size, they ahd equal chances of being selected in the study if the probability of selection is proportionate to size (PPS). Seven houses were then randomly chosen from the 30 selected clusters. All of the househol heads from the 210 selected households were given several copies of the self-administered questionnairescalled the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 (SRQ-20), a screening tool developed by WHO, to determine the psychosocial condition of the household members 12-65 years.RESULTS: The prevalence of psychosocial distress in this population was estimated at 17% (95%CI=13.7-20.3%). The residents of the study barangays were in their rehabilitation phase i.e., three months post disaster when data was collected for this study. The study also characterized the households in the sample according to socio-economic status, presence of members with special needs, and presence of children 0-5 years ol. In the aftermath of the disaster, 46.84% of the respondents had positive answer on the group of questions about decreased energy, 49.8% on somatic symptoms,25.89% on depressive thoughts and 40.91% on depressive moods.There was a higher prevalence of these 4 factors among females, those separated, with low socioeconomic status and low educational attainment.CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of psychosocial distress was 17% (95%CI=13.7%-20.3%), In the aftermath of the disaster, 46.8% of the respondents had positive answer on the group of questions about decreased energy, 49.8% on somatic symptoms, 25.9% on depressive thoughts and 40.9% on depressive moods.

Feasibility of Psychosocial Distress Screening and Management Program for Hospitalized Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE: Although the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is associated with psychosocial distress, routine distress screening is difficult in hospitalized oncology settings. We developed a consecutive screening program for psychosocial distress to promote psychiatric treatment of cancer patients and evaluated the feasibility of our program by Distress Thermometer (DT) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). METHODS: Among 777 cancer inpatients recruited from the Catholic Comprehensive Institute of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, 499 agreed to complete primary distress screening through DT. We conducted secondary distress screening through HADS in 229 patients who had high scores of DT. RESULTS: Of the 499 participants, 270 patients with low scores of DT were included in the distress education program. 229 patients with high scores of DT received secondary distress screening through HADS. Among 115 patients with low scores of HADS, 111 patients received distress management. Among 114 patients with high scores in the secondary distress screening, 38 patients received psychiatric consultation service whereas 76 patients refused psychiatric consultation. CONCLUSION: Using consecutive screening for psychosocial distress appeared to be feasible in an inpatient oncology setting. Nevertheless, the low participation rate of psychiatric consultation service in cancer patients with high distress level should be improved.

Evaluation of the status of psychosocial distress in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and analysis of its influencing factors / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate psychosocial distress status of hospitalized patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and then analyze its influencing factors.Methods Using the method of convenience sampling,the level of psychosocial distress of hospitalized patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was measured with psychosocial distress thermometer (DT),then by orderly classification Logistic regression analysis methods,the main factors affecting the degree of psychosocial distress were obtained.Results This study in cluded 235 patients,and 228 patients completed the survey effectively,DT score was (4.030±2.993) points,including DT ＜ 4 points (mild pain) accounted for 36.8％ (84/228),DT 4-6 points (moderate pain) accounted for 38.2％ (87/228),DT≥7 points (severe pain) accounted for 25.0％ (57/228).Regression analysis showed that the economic problems,emotional problems (depression,fear,sadness),body problems (eating,oral ulcer,sleep problems),age,education degree,stressful life events in the recent year,the time of disease diagnosis,and disease recurrence were the main factors influencing the degree of psychosocial distress.Conclusions Hospitalized patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have widespread psychosocial distress,clinical medical personnel should take individualized psychological evaluation and intervention according to the related factors of psychosocial distress in order to reduce the degree of psychosocial distress.

Alcohol use and associated factors among adolescent students in Thailand / El uso de alcohol y factores asociados entre los estudiantes adolescentes de Tailandia

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol misuse is a relevant public health issue in Thailand. The assessment of the prevalence of alcohol use among adolescents may guide policies and programmes aimed at reducing alcohol use among this age group. METHOD: Using data from the Thailand Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2008, we assessed the prevalence of alcohol use and the associated factors among adolescents (n = 2758). RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of current alcohol use was 14.8% (21.2% males and 9.3% females). Variables positively associated with the outcome in multivariable analysis among boys were older age, other substance use (smoking and illicit drug use), sex in the past 12 months, physical fighting, injury in the past 12 months; and among girls, poverty, smoking, physical fighting and lack of parental or guardian connectedness. CONCLUSION: Efforts to prevent and control alcohol misuse may need to address a cluster of risk behaviours including cigarette smoking.

OBJETIVO: El abuso del alcohol es un problema de salud pública importante en Tailandia. La valoración de la prevalencia del uso de alcohol entre los adolescentes puede guiar las políticas y programas encaminados a reducir el uso del alcohol entre este grupo etario. MÉTODO: Usando datos de la Encuesta Mundial de Salud Escolar (GSHS) 2008, efectuada en Tailandia, se evaluó la prevalencia del uso del alcohol y los factores asociados, entre los adolescentes (n = 2758). RESULTADOS: En general, la prevalencia del uso del alcohol corrientemente fue 14.8% (21.2% varones y 9.3% hembras). Las variables positivamente asociadas con el resultado del análisis multivariable entre los muchachos fueron: tener más edad, uso de otra sustancia (hábito de fumar y uso ilícito de droga), sexo en los últimos 12 meses, pelea física, lesión en los últimos 12 meses. Entre las muchachas estas variables fueron: la pobreza, el hábito de fumar, la pelea física, y la falta de relación con los padres o los tutores. CONCLUSIÓN: Los esfuerzos por prevenir y controlar el abuso del alcohol entre los adolescentes pueden llevar a la necesidad de abordar una serie de comportamientos de riesgo, incluyendo el hábito de fumar.

A Study of Psychosocial distress, Intention to Quit and Nursing Performance in General Ward Nurses / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of psychosocial distress, intention to quit and nursing performance. METHODS: The data were collected through structured questionnaires from 210 registered nurses in a general hospital. They were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, scheffe test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression with the SPSS WIN program. RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed that the mean of the psychosocial distress was 25.38+/-7.26, intention to quit was 3.51+/-0.78, and nursing performance was 3.67+/-0.46. In the correlation analysis, the nursing performance had negative correlation with psychosocial distress(r=-.371, p=.000) and intention to quit(r=-.211, p=.002). There were statistically significant differences in nursing performance depending on age, marital status, position and work experience. The psychosocial distress and age explained 15.1% of nursing performance. CONCLUSION: This study showed psychosocial distress and intention to quit affects the nursing performance. Therefore, nursing executives and unit managers need to concern on the significance of the stress management programs so that these can be organizational support.

Factors Related to Psychosocial Distress and Fatigue Symptoms among Clerical Public Officers / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the level of psychosocial stresses and fatigue symptoms among clerical public officers and its related factors. METHODS: The self-administered questionnaires were performed, during the period between Dec. 5th, 2005 and Jan. 31st, 2006, to 1,005 individuals in the service of general administration located in Daejeon Metropolitan City. The survey items included subjects' socio-demographic and job-related characteristics, health-related behavior, degree of job demand, job autonomy, social support in work, type A behavior pattern, locus of control, sense of self-esteem, psychosocial distress and degree of fatigue. RESULTS: The study results indicated that the level of stress or fatigue is so complicatedly influenced by variable factors as well as job-related characteristics such as socio-demographic characteristics, rank in work, or job career, to a greater extent, by job specifications and personality traits(type A) like whether performing health-related behavior or not, job demand, job autonomy, social support in work, or sense of self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Thus the effective strategy for psychosocial distress and fatigue symptoms reduction among governmental employees requires additional programs focusing on innovated job specifications and managed personality trait.

Psychosocial Distress and Its Related Factors among Clerical Public Officers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the levels of psychosocial distress among clerical public officers to reveal the various related factors. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaires was administered between Dec. 5th, 2005 and Jan. 31st, 2006, to 1,005 individuals in the service of general administration located in Daejeon City. The survey items included the subjects'socio-demographic and job-related characteristics, health-related behavior, degree of job demand, job autonomy, social support in work, type A behavior pattern, locus of control, sense of self-esteem, and psychosocial distress. RESULTS: The results showed that 24.8% of subjects were categorized as high risk stress, 64.9% as latent stress, and 10.3% as normal. The level of psychosocial distress was influenced by various sociodemographic characteristics, such as personality traits (type A behavior pattern, locus of control, selfesteem) and whether performing health-related behavior or not, as well as according to job-related characteristics such as rank in work, job career, job specifications, job demand, job autonomy, social support in work. CONCLUSIONS: The effective strategy for stress reduction among governmental employees requires additional programs focusing on innovated job specifications and managed personality traits.

Relationship between Community Social Support and Psychosocial Distress in Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the relationship between community-based social support and psychosocial distress in workers. METHODS: The study subjects were 596 workers recruited from 11 companies in Chungju city. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, job characteristics, job stress, work-based social support, community-based social support and level of psychosocial distress. RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that workers with no chronic disease, exercise and sufficient sleep had a higher score of psychosocial distress than those with chronic disease, no exercise, and not enough sleep. Coworker's work-based social support and community-based social support were negatively associated with psychosocial distress. The R square value of total independent variables on psychosocial distress was 0.409, and that of community-based social support on psychosocial distress was 0.052. CONCLUSION: This study showed that community-based social support served as a protective factor against psychosocial distress in some workers. We recommend the establishment of a worksite stress reduction program in occupational level as well as community-based social support.

The Relationship between Psychosocial Distress and Lead Exposure Indices in Lead Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to assess psychosocial distress of lead workers and to examine the relationship between lead exposure indices and psychosocial distress. METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional and research subjects were 234 lead workers in primary smelting industry. General characteristics, job characteristics and social support were obtained by self-administered questionnaire and history taking. Psychosocial distress was measured using PWI(Psychosocial Well-being Index), a 45-item self-administered instrument. Blood lead(PbB), zinc protoporphyrin(ZPP), -aminolevulinic acid in urine(ALAU) were selected as indicators of lead exposure. RESULTS: There was significant difference in PWI according to lead exposure level and job characteristics. The results of correlation analysis showed that PWI was significantly correlated with PbB(r=0.203, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our results supported the association between lead exposure and psychosocial distress. The inclusion of psychosocial distress measurement as a special health examination for lead workers was highly recommended for the effective health management.

Effect of Economic Depression on Psychosocial Distress of Industrial Workers / 대한산업의학회지

This study was carried out to assess the effect of economic depression on psychosocial distress, and to assess the relationship between differences of psychosocial distress and job characteristics (job strain), and to find out the effect of social support on psychosocial distress. We measured job characteristics(job demand, job control), and social support(coworker support, supervisor supports) at work by a self-administered questionnaire. Psychosocial distress was measured by PWI(Psychosocial Well-being Index), a 45-item self-administered instrument. Among the 152 respondents, the prevalence of high job strain was 27% (41 persons). The Odds ratio of high job strain was 3.11 (95% CI; 2.12~4.11), and those of passive group and active group were 2.01(95% CI; 0.83~2.76) and 1.80(95% CI; 0.83~2.76), respectively. Our results supported the association between psychosocial distress and job strain. The odds ratio of high strain isolates group (high strain group+low social support) was 3.59 (95% CI; 2.05~5.13), but the odds ratio of high strain collective group was 1.32 (95% CI; 0.23~2.41). Social support at work was modifying factor of the association between psychosocial distress and job strain. Therefore we reviewed the evidence that economic depression was associated with psychosocial distress in this study, and that the strength of the social support was important in maintain health.

The Association between Job Characteristics, Psychosocial Distress and Homocysteine / 예방의학회지

This study was carried out to assess the relationship between jobstrain, psychosocial distress and homocysteine. The study design was cross-sectional, and included 152 industrial workers in middle sized city. A self-adminstered questionnaire measured general characteristic, job strain and psychosocial distress. Blood was drawn into EDTA tube, and total plasma homocysteine was measured by HPLC. Homocysteine in the high job demand group was significantly higher than that in the low job demand. Cholesterol in the high job control group was significantly higher than that in the low job control. Homocysteine was significantly higher in the high job strain group than that in the other group. Folate and vitamin B12 showed a significantly negative correlation with homocysteine. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether the psychosocial distress and other variable contributed to explaining the homocysteine. Stress correlates with the homocysteine.

Association between Job characteristics and Psychosocial Distress of Industrial Workers / 예방의학회지

This study was carried out to assess the relationship between job characteristics(job strain) and psychosocial distress, and to find out the effect of social support on psychosocial distress. The study design was cross-sectional, and included 1,211 industrial workers in middle-sized city. A self-administered questionnaire measured job characteristics(jod demand, job control), and social support(coworker support, supervisor support) at work. Psychosocial distress was measured using PWI(Psychosocial Well-being Index), a 45-item self-administered instrument. Among the 1,211 respondents, the prevalence of psychosocial distress was 24.8%. High job strain (high job demand + low job control) was present in 8% of the subjects. The crude odds ratio of high job strain was 4.76 (95% CI : 2.60-8.74), and those of active group and passive group were 3.81(95% CI : 1.82-3.95) and 2.64(95% CI : 1.77-3.94), respectively. The odds ratios of each group adjusted for sex, age, support, and religion were still significant. Our results supported the association between job strain and psychosocial distress. Social support at work, although significantly associated with psychosocial distress, did not modify the association between job strain and psychosocial distress.

Social support and phychosocial distress among white-collar workers / 예방의학회지

The effects and roles of social support and stressors (stressful life events and chronic strains) on psychosocial distress were examined in a model with data from a sample of the white-collar workers (N = 416) in Korea. The findings of this study present that mean levels of psychosocial distress were higher' in the female, youth, unmarried and divorced, and low economic status (monthly income). The analysis also shows that, as expected, stressful life and chronic strains as stressors are positively related to occurrence of psychosocial distress, and social support is negatively related to psychosocial distress. Further, the contribution of social support to predicting psychosocial distress is greater in magnitude than that of stressful events, chronic strains, and sociodemographic variables. There is no evidence that social support buffers the impacts of stressors on psychosocial distress, rather social support takes a role of main or direct effects on psychosocial distress. Therefore, the strength of the social support is an important and meaningful strategy to prevent from stress and mental, physical illness.