Best practice recommendations for healthy work environments for nurses: An integrative literature review

Healthy work environments that maximise the health and well-being of nurses are essential in achieving good patient and societal outcomes, as well as optimal organisational performance. While studies have been conducted on healthy work environments, there is no available evidence that an integrative literature review summarising best-practice recommendations related to healthy work environments has been conducted before. This review aimed to summarise existing best-practice recommendations related to a healthy work environment for nurses. An integrative literature review following the approach adapted from Whittemore and Knafl was used. Existing guidelines related to healthy work environments for nurses were searched. EBSCOhost (CINAHL, Medline), Biomed Central, Science Direct, PubMed and Google Scholar and organisational websites via Google were searched, followed by a citation search. Twelve guidelines were identified for data extraction and synthesis, and themes were subsequently formulated. Four themes emerged from the integrative literature review regarding a healthy work environment for nurses: (1) the need for effective nursing leadership, (2) effective communication as central to enhancement of a healthy environment, (3) effective teamwork as an integral part of a healthy work environment and (4) the need for professional autonomy. In summary, a healthy work environment for nurses requires leadership, effective communication, teamwork and professional autonomy.

The effect of organisational system on self-rated depression in a panel of male municipal firefighters

OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the effects of job stress, including organisational system to self-rated depression through a panel study of male municipal firefighters in the Republic of Korea. METHODS: A panel of 186 municipal firefighters reported self-rated depressive symptoms according to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The effects of job stress were evaluated using the Korea Occupational Stress Scale, taken one year earlier and classified by the median value. Panel members were classified into Depression or Control groups according to BDI scores, with a cut-off level of \'over mild depression' in a follow-up survey. RESULTS: The Depression group included 17 (9.1%) workers. Firefighters who scored high on occupational system had an 8.3 times greater risk of being assigned to the Depression group than those who had not (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.73-37.22]). In contrast, job stress from a \'difficult physical environment' revealed negative risks related to being classified in the Depression group (AOR = 0.20, 95% CI = [0.04-0.92]). CONCLUSIONS: Although the healthy worker effect may be involved, job stress based on perceptions of organisational system was a strong risk factor for depression. A comprehensive approach should be considered that encompasses social issues when assessing or mental health in high-risk groups, as well as the practical issue of physiochemical hazards.

O trabalho como operador de saúde / Work as a promoter of health

Os estudos sobre a relação entre saúde e trabalho tendem a destacar seu viés negativo e patológico, como se o trabalho produzisse apenas adoecimento e alienação. Ao contrário, nossa proposta é pensar como o trabalho também pode produzir saúde. A partir do conceito de saúde de Canguilhem e das contribuições das chamadas "clínicas do trabalho", queremos analisar a função do trabalho como operador de saúde. Canguilhem afirma que a saúde não é adaptativa, ou seja, não é um bem adaptar-se ao mundo, mas uma criação de normas de vida. Já as clínicas do trabalho nos fornecem ferramentas para nos aproximar do saber-fazer produzido pelos trabalhadores em seu cotidiano de trabalho, ou seja, de como os trabalhadores não apenas adaptam-se ao trabalho, mas o criam e recriam permanentemente. Sendo assim, podemos pensar no trabalho como operador de saúde quando há lugar para a criação coletiva e pessoal, bem como para o reconhecimento do trabalhador em sua atividade.

Studies on the relation between health and work tend to highlight the negative and pathological aspects, as if work produces only sickness and alienation. On the contrary, our proposal is to stress how work can also produce health. Based on Canguillem's concept of health, and from the contributions of the so-called "work clinics", we intend to analyze the purpose of work as a promoter of health. Canguilhem affirms that health is not adaptive, as such it does not involve adapting well to the world, but to the creation of tenets of life. For their part, the work clinics provide tools to approximate us to the know-how-to-do produced by workers in their daily work, namely not only how workers adapt to work, but how they create and recreate it permanently Thus, we can think work as a promoter of health where there is room for collective and personal creation, as well as recognition of workers in their activity.

Neurobehavioral Deficits and Parkinsonism in Occupations with Manganese Exposure: A Review of Methodological Issues in the Epidemiological Literature

Exposure to manganese (Mn) is associated with neurobehavioral effects. There is disagreement on whether commonly occurring exposures in welding, ferroalloy, and other industrial processes produce neurologically significant neurobehavioral changes representing parkinsonism. A review of methodological issues in the human epidemiological literature on Mn identified: (1) studies focused on idiopathic Parkinson disease without considering manganism, a parkinsonian syndrome; (2) studies with healthy worker effect bias; (3) studies with problematic statistical modeling; and (4) studies arising from case series derived from litigation. Investigations with adequate study design and exposure assessment revealed consistent neurobehavioral effects and attributable subclinical and clinical signs and symptoms of impairment. Twenty-eight studies show an exposure-response relationship between Mn and neurobehavioral effects, including 11 with continuous exposure metrics and six with three or four levels of contrasted exposure. The effects of sustained low-concentration exposures to Mn are consistent with the manifestations of early manganism, i.e., consistent with parkinsonism. This is compelling evidence that Mn is a neurotoxic chemical and there is good evidence that Mn exposures far below the current US standard of 5.0 mg/m3 are causing impairment.

Comparison of Cardiovascular Disease Status Between Large Scale Industry Office and Self Employed Male Workers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare the cardiovascular disease status between large scale industry office and self employed male workers who have gaps in their intensive health management. METHODS: The cross sectional study was carried out with subjects composed of 244 shipyard office male workers and 381 self employed male workers, aged 30 to 55 years. They were given a health exam in a general hospital from January 2007 to June 2009. Information was based on data from self-administered questionnaires, physical examination and laboratory results on blood samples. The degree of coronary artery calcification and stenosis was evaluated by a 64 channel multi-detector computed tomography angiography. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension(p<0.01) and diabetes mellitus(p=0.02) and waist circumference(p<0.01) was significantly lower in the shipyard office workers than in self employed workers. Proper drinking(p<0.01) was more commmon in shipyard office workers. The rates of coronary artery calcification and stenosis were estimated to be 18.4% and 11.5% respectively for shipyard office workers and were significantly lower than the 26.5% and 21.5% for self employed workers. After adjustment for age, the probability of coronary artery stenosis in shipyard office workers was lower than in self employed workers (OR=0.56, 95% CI=0.35~0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The study results verified the benefits of a health promotion and intervention program and the healthy worker effect for cardiovascular diseases. More specifically, it verified the benefits regarding coronary artery stenosis in large scale industry office workers. This result should encourage the establishment of health promotion programs and the study of occupational epidemiology.

The Effect of Shift Work on the Level of Self-Rated Health / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to determine the characteristics of shift work and the relationship between shift work and the level of self-rated health using the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study (KLIPS) data, which represents urban households in Korea. METHODS: Using the 9th wave of KLIPS, this study analyzed 2,087 male workers aged 25 to 64 years; participants missing data were excluded from analysis. To determine the impact of shift work on the level of self-rated health, logistic regression analysis was applied that controlled for socio-demographic characteristics, labor environment, and health-related behaviors. RESULTS: Shift workers comprised 13.4% of study subjects overall. The majority(69.2%) of participants were in 2-teams and in 2-shifts. Week 1 shift cycle changes were the highest, 56.3%. The risk of poor self-rated health was not significantly higher among shift workers compared to non-shift workers (OR=1.08, 95% CI=0.79~1.48). When divided by tenure, shift workers with more than 10-years experience (OR=1.79, 95% CI=0.91~3.50) tended to show greater risk than non-shift workers at marginal significance. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, a significantly higher risk of self-rated poor health among shift workers was not observed. However, shift workers with more than 10-years experience tended to show increased health risk compared to non-shift workers. Further studies are required to determine time-series data and to consider both healthy worker effect and information bias.

Indicadores antropométricos e nível de atividade física de funcionários de banco / Anthropometric indicators and physical activity lev el of bank workers

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever dois importantes indicadores antropométricos (índice de massa corporal - IMC – e razão cintura-quadril - RCQ) e o nível de atividade física dos funcionários de uma agência do Banco do Brasil da cidade de Pelotas, RS em um período antecedente à implantação de um programa de Ginástica Laboral. A amostra foi constituída por 55 funcionários, todos operários de um turno de trabalho com média de 8 h/dia. A avaliação do nível de atividade física foi realizada por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). Foram classificados como insuficientemente ativos os indivíduos com nível de atividade física semanal abaixo de 150 minutos por semana. A avaliação antropométrica incluiu mensuração de massa corpórea (quilogramas) e estatura (metros). Para a medida de RCQ foi utilizada fita métrica, de material metálico. Os pontos de cortes da RCQ para homens e mulheres, respectivamente, foram de >0,95 e >0,80. Entre os 55 funcionários, 55% tinham excesso de peso e 13% eram obesos conforme classificação do IMC. No que se refere à medida de RCQ, 63,6% apresentam RCQ acima dos valores ideais, indicando risco aumentado de doenças cardiovasculares. Em relação ao nível de atividade física, 69% dos entrevistados foram classificados como insuficientemente ativos. Todos os indivíduos que apresentaram obesidade tinham, concomitantemente, os dois outros comportamentos de risco (RCQ elevada e sedentarismo). A promoção de hábitos de vida saudável é essencial para funcionários de bancos.

The aim of this study was to describe two important anthropometric indicators (body mass index – BMI; and waist hip ratio – WHR) and physical activity level in workers of a bank in Pelotas, Brazil, before the implementation of an exercise intervention. The sample included 55 workers; mean daily job journey was eight hours. Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Individuals who scored less than 150 minutes per week were classified as insufficiently active. Weight (kg) and height (cm) were measured, as well as waist and hip circumferences, using metallic tapes. For the WHR, cut-off points of 0.95 and 0.80 were used for males and females, respectively. Out of the 55 workers, 55% were overweight and 13% were obese according to the BMI classification. In terms of WHR, 63.6% presented values which indicate high risk of cardiovascular disease. In terms of physical activity, 69% of the workers were classified as insufficiently active. All individuals who presented obesity were also insufficiently active and have high WHR. Promotion of healthy lifestyles is essential for bank workers.

Avaliação da função do ombro em técnicos de trânsito pelo protocolo de Constant-Murley / Assessment of shoulder function in traffic techinicians by the Constant-Murley protocol

O estudo visou verificar a associação entre capacidade funcional e atividade ocupacional em trabalhadores técnicos de trânsito expostos a movimentos repetitivos, associados ou não a esforço físico; e verificar a presença de queixas e sintomas de traumas cumulativos do ombro...

The purpose of the study was to assess whether there is a relation between shoulder functional capacity and ocupational activity among traffic workers exposed to repetitive movements and/or to overexertion; and to inquire on shoulder complaints and symptoms of cumulative trauma disorders...

Influência do turno laboral na formação de edema dos membros inferiores em indivíduos normais / Influence of working shift on the formation of lower limb edema in normal individuals

CONTEXTO: A presença de edema vespertino nos membros inferiores de indivíduos normais, após jornada habitual de trabalho, foi demonstrada na literatura nacional e internacional. O ritmo de formação e o acúmulo desse edema variam de acordo com os distintos turnos laborais. OBJETIVO: O edema de membros inferiores tem sido descrito após jornadas habituais de trabalho e representa uma queixa freqüente na prática vascular. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução do edema em indivíduos normais durante os distintos turnos laborais. MÉTODO: Foram feitas avaliações volumétricas de ambos os membros inferiores em 20 profissionais da área da saúde do Hospital e Maternidade São Marcos de Maringá, no Paraná. A escolha dos participantes foi por ordem de chegada, e as volumetrias foram feitas por técnica de deslocamento de água às 7, 13 e 19 h. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o teste t de Student, considerando erro alfa de 5%. RESULTADO: Dos 20 participantes, 19 eram do sexo feminino e 1 do masculino, sem evidência de doença venosa nos membros inferiores e pertencentes a C0 e C1 da classificação CEAP (C = clínica, E = etiologia, A = segmento anatômico, P = fisiopatologia). As idades dos participantes variaram entre 20 e 53 anos. Detectou-se aumento significativo de volume nos membros inferiores entre os distintos períodos avaliados, com p = 0,0001 e 0,0001, respectivamente. A maior variação ocorreu no período da manhã, com média ± desvio padrão de 107,2±63,5 mL, enquanto que à tarde, a variação foi de 44,5±35,4 mL. CONCLUSÃO: O edema é uma constante durante atividades laborais, mesmo em pessoas sem doença venosa manifesta e sofre influência do turno laboral ao qual o trabalhador se encontra exposto.

BACKGROUND: Presence of evening edema of lower limbs in normal individuals after a regular working shift has been shown in the national and international literature. Formation rhythm and accumulation of this type of edema vary according to different work shifts. OBJECTIVE: Edema of the legs has been described after regular work shifts and is a common complaint in vascular practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution of edema in apparently normal individuals during distinct work shifts. METHOD: Volumetric assessments of both legs were performed in 20 healthcare professionals at São Marcos Hospital and Maternidade in Maringá, Brazil. Individuals were selected on a consecutive basis with water displacement volumetry being performed at 7:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 19 women and one man with ages ranging from 20 to 53 years old. The participants had no evidence of venous diseases of the lower limbs and were C0 or C1 according to the CEAP classification (C = clinical, E = etiology, A = anatomy, P = pathophysiology). Significant increases in the volume of both legs were seen after both shifts (p = 0.0001 in both cases). The greatest variation occurred during the morning with a mean ± standard deviation of 107.2±63.5 mL, while in the afternoon mean increase was 44.5±35.4 mL. CONCLUSION: Edema is constant in work activities, even in individuals without obvious venous diseases, and is influenced by work shift.

Screening for some intestinal parasites and malaria in food industry workers in Taiz province, Republic of Yemen

Parasitic diseases are common health problem in developing countries. A case control study nested in survey was done to study rate of some infections and intestinal parasites in two hundred and twenty workers of the food industry [FIWs] in Taiz province, Yemen and to explore the impact of some demographic factors on them. Each worker was examined for malaria blood film, widal, urine, stool, and questionnaire was filled about socioeconomic standards [SES]. In screening of FIWs, intestinal parasiles prevalence were 36.2%; with Entamoeba histolytica 18.6%; Schistosoma mansoni 7.2%; Ascaris lumbricoides 6.8%; Giardia 1.8%, Ancylstomas 4%. Strongyloides stercorlis, Hymenolepis nana, Tricuris trichiura were less than 1% each. Malaria and typhoid were low [2.2%]. On studying role of education, water supply, SES, presence of latrine; the only significant risks for parasitic infection were SES and presence of latrine outside the houses

Directly observed treatment short course [DOTS] program for treatment of tuberculosis in Balochistan-role of lady health workers

The main objective of the study was to reduce problem of tuberculosis by increasing the success rate by implementing DOTS through LHWs. The study was an observational descriptive one. The patients for this study were recruited from the four districts of Balochistan; Mastung, Dera Allah Yar, Dera Bugti and Nasirabad, Balochistan. The study was done during January 2004 to September 2004. All those who were sputum smear positive and presented for the first time were included as 'new' patients and those on re-treatment as "relapses". The study population consisted of all pulmonary tuberculosis patients over 15 years old in the four districts of Balochistan, who started a new course of tuberculosis treatment after sputum examination at any of the diagnostic clinics. Patients were excluded from the study if they had multiple-drug resistance [MDR] or severe illness where facility based management was indicated. The results of study showed that the majority [47%] of affected persons belonged to younger age group [15-35], and out of the 111 persons who were enrolled in the study, 65% wore males. Fifty percent of affected persons were daily wagers and farmers [49%] and earning less than 2500 rupees per month. Majority [75%] were illiterate. Regarding sputum conversion, there was significant impact of DOTS to sputum conversion within adequate time period, majority [74%] of DOTS cases converted to negative within two months and 14% within 3 months of starting the treatment. It is concluded that DOTS is an effective strategy to treat tuberculosis in Pakistan. However, if we have to replicate it on a wider scale, we need to strengthen the LHW program

Detection of helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal disorders among Zagazig university hospitals waste collectors: a comparative cross- sectional study

Hospital work, involving direct patient contact and poor sanitary conditions, constitutes a major risk factor for acquisition of H. pylori infection. 1] determining the prevalence and occupational risk of, pylori infection among hospital waste collectors, 2] identifying some of its associated risk factors, 3] investigating the validity of some non-invasive tests for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in comparison with the gold-standard invasive test, esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy, 4] comparing the diagnostic performance of salivary H. pylori IgG with that of serum H. pylori IgG, and 5] determining the percentages of upper gastrointestinal [GIT] symptoms and the endoscopic findings among hospital waste collectors and assessing their relation to H. pylori infection. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 78 hospital waste collectors and 78 security and administrative workers from Zagazig University Hospitals as a control group. All participants filled pre-constructed questionnaires and were subjected to H. pylori stool antigen and serum and salivary anti-H. pylori IgG tests; while only 110 workers underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and rapid urease test. The results revealed absence of significant occupational risk of H. pylori infection acquisition among hospital waste collectors compared to the controls. Moreover, Male sex, smoking habit, low socioeconomic status, poor personal hygiene, and family history of upper GIT complaints were the risk factors significantly associated with active H. pylori infection. Fecal antigen test had the highest sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of H, pylori infection compared to the other non-invasive tests. Moreover, there was a fair degree of agreement between salivary and serum H. pylori IgG tests regarding their diagnostic performance [0.34]. Also, absence of statistical significant differences between both studied groups regarding the percentages of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and different endoscopic findings was revealed. Finally, current H. pylori infection was found to be significantly associated with different types of gastritis; however, normal mucosa by endoscopy didn't exclude the presence of H, pylori infection. So, improving the overall standard of living in our country, environmental sanitation, introducing effective anti-infective sanitary regulations at work, mass screening through either stool antigen or serum IgG or salivary IgG tests to detect infected persons, and proper treatment of infected persons are mandatory

Evidence for effectiveness of intervention to combat obesity among workers at El Minia University

The prevalence of obesity and its associated health .problems have increased sharply in the past 2 decades particularly in developing countries. Lifestyle interventions include exercise, dietary change, behavior therapy, or some combination of these components. To describe the problem of obesity and its contributing factors among workers at El-Minia University and to explore whether the three modalities of life style intervention used with obese workers differ in their efficacy to improve outcome measures. An interventional study in which 480 workers from El-Minia University were participated. Data were collected by a special designed detailed questionnaire. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured; vital signs and blood examination for sugar and lipid profile were undertaken. Three types of life styles interventions were done to the obese: dietary modification, exercise promotion, and combination of dietary and exercise intervention. Post-intervention questionnaire, anthropometry and other outcome indicators were measured. More than two thirds [68.2%] of the participants were obese or at risk of obesity [overweight]. Obesity was nearly twice more common in females than males [61.2 vs. 38.8%] and increased with increasing age. Central obesity determined according to waist circumference was found to be 32.8% and 38.4% among males and females respectively. About 41% of administrative workers and nearly 28% of teaching staff and 23% of manual workers were obese. Eating more than three regular meals and eating snacks have significant relation to the development of obesity. The most contributing risk factor of obesity is the sedentary type of work followed by obesity during the childhood, and eating unhealthy snacks. There is a statistical significant relation between parity and the development of obesity. Obese workers had significantly higher systolic blood pressure than non-obese. The cholesterol level decreased significantly and HDL increased significantly after the intervention, There is significant decrease in BMI in the three groups after the intervention, but the combination of diet and exercise intervention is better than diet intervention alone which in turn is better than exercise intervention alone. Overweight and obesity were highly prevalent among workers at El Minia University which pose them more at risk of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, as well as joint and back pain. There is an inverse association between physical activity and weight gain. There was sufficient evidence to suggest that dietary plus exercise intervention is the best method to combat obesity and to improve outcome measures

Health impacts on workers in wastewater treatment plants in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia

Wastewater workers are exposed to various job-related hazards. This work was carried out in the period from November, 2004 to January, 2005. All workers [one hundred and ninety two workers] in the Jeddah Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants [MWTP] were interviewed. They were asked to answer a preceded questionnaire that included personal data and complete medical [present, past, and family] history. They were also asked about history of previous medical examinations in details. Psychological problems were the most common health problems as they formed 84.4% followed by mucous membranes' irritation which constituted 42.2%. The percentage of workers following the safety precautions: wearing anti-slide shoes; the use of personal protective tools for the protection of the skin and eyes; the use of safety precautions in mixing chemicals; the safe storage, transfer, and circulation of chemicals; and ensuring the safety of electrical appliances were 14.6%, 75%, 13.5%, 91.7%, and 95.8%, respectively. The T-test was carried out between those having mucous membrane irritation and those who didn't have mucous membrane irritation as regards the duration of work and it was found to be statistically significant [p=0.000]. Those who suffered from mucous membrane irritation have mean work duration of 5.04 years whereas those without irritation have a mean of 6.75 years. Finally, t-test was carried out between those having psychological problems and those who didn't have psychological problems and it was found to be significant [p=0.007]. The mean work duration for those suffering from psychological problems was 6.2 years whereas those who didn't suffer from psychological problems had a mean work duration of 5.1 years

Perfil seminal en trabajadores expuestos a plaguicidas inhibidores de la colinesterasa / Seminal profile in workers exposed to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar y comparar las características físico-químicas y citomorfológicas del semen, en trabajadores expuestos a plaguicidas inhibidores de la colinesterasa, y relacionar estos hallazgos con los niveles de colinesterasa total de sangre. Se estudiaron 30 individuos no expuestos y 29 expuestos, del sexo masculino, entre 20 y 54 años de edad, con una exposición promedio de 4 horas diarias a plaguicidas inhibidores de la colinesterasa, durante un período variable de tiempo (con un año mínimo de exposición). A todos los sujetos estudiados se les realizó una evaluación médica, mediante historia médico ocupacional y examen físico completo. De cada uno de ellos se obtuvo muestra sanguínea para determinar niveles de colinesterasa total, mediante el método del hidroxamato de Hestrin modificado. Se practicaron espermatogramas en muestras de semen obtenidas por masturbación reciente, luego de un período de abstinencia sexual de 3 días. Los datos obtenidos se procesaron y analizaron con el programa estadístico computarizado SAS. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas (p< 0,05) entre el grupo control y el grupo expuesto para las variables: concentración espermática por mL y total, porcentaje de espermatozoides rápidos, móviles e inmóviles, vivos y muertos. La morfología espermática se encontró dentro lo establecido como normal por la O.M.S; sin embargo, hubo diferencias significativas entre el porcentaje de mégalos y amorfos (p< 0,05). Los resultados indican que los plaguicidas inhibidores de la colinesterasa afectan algunas variables del espermatograma y por lo tanto la calidad del semen

Advantages, disadvantages and solutions in tuberculosis control in Vietnam

The basic advantages in the national tuberculosis control programme: policies of our government and party, the public health system and health worker worldwide in whole country, support from International organization. The disadvantages in tuberculosis control programme: survey of epidemiology on tuberculosis were n’t taken in all country, HIV/AIDS epidemic, tuberculosis resistance/ antidrug, lack of health workers for tuberculosis control, manage and control the private health system is limited, shortage finance. The solving method in the future: the stable method is communication activities and immobilization aids from society, finance and human resources serve for tuberculosis control, combination of private healthy that take part in the activities of tuberculosis control, but first of all must maintain a good observation programme for tuberculosis and survey of epidemiology on tuberculosis

The influence of working environment on the health of workers at Binh Dinh construction factory

The working environment of 138 workers at Binh Dinh construction factory was studied concerning the harmful factors determined by the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Working environment. Almost harmful factors are highest then allowed standard, especially total dust (>3,7 times), high SiO2 content level 24-42%. In almost studied field, the noise density is higher than standard (90 dBA). There is a high incidence of some diseases such as stomato-dental diseases (50,27%), ENT and respiratory diseases (37,14%). Occupational safety and health care for workers were neziligible; commonly available masks for respiration are not proper for filtering the dust

Real state of working load of vapor iron worker in Duc Giang Garment Factory, Gia Lam district, Ha Noi

89 male workers of vapor iron were subjected to the study. The investigation of labor evironment and worker conditions showed that: indoor temperature exceeds that of hygiene standard by 0,2-1,0oC, humidity and wind velocity is tense (2080 movement for each shift) working movement duration is short (12 second for each movement), in the shift, breaking time is insufficient to meet the need of rest. After a working day, memory, the attention, the tonus of muscle decrease dramatically in comparing with those before the shift the decrease is significant statistically. Many sites of pain occur considerably and concentrate in the nape, right arm, back, thigh and knee

The degree of decline of labour capacity in Hoa Binh hydraulic power station workers

In the year 2001, the influence of working environment of the tunel of Hoa Binh hydraulic power station on workers’ labour capacity was studied. Results show that in a shift of workers, the decline of capacity accounts for 39.71% generally for some occupational function, the most decreased is loss of memory (60.88%). Between two shifts the less rest time, the more decrease of capacity. The degree of decline of labour capacity increases progressively along the occupational age

A study on Statistical Method for Controlling the Effect of Intermediate Events: Application to the Control of the Healthy Worker Effect / 한국역학회지

PURPOSE: The healthy worker effect is an important issue in occupational epidemiology. This study was conducted to propose a new method to test the relation between exposure and mortality in the presence of the healthy worker effect. METHODS: In this study, the healthy worker hire effect was assumed to operate as a confounding variable of health status at the beginning of employment and healthy worker survival effect as a confounding and intermediate variable of employment status. In addition, the proposed method reflects the length bias sampling caused by changing of an employment status. Simulation studies were also carried out to compare the proposed method with Cox's time dependent covariates models . RESULTS: The theoretical development of the healthy worker survival effect is based on the result that an observation with change of an employment status requires that the survival time without intermediate event exceeds the waiting time for the intermediate event. According to our simulation studies, both the proposed method and Cox's time dependent covariates model which includes the change of employment status as time dependent covariates seem to be satisfactory at 5% significance level. However, Cox's time dependent covariates models without or with the change of employment status as time fixed covariate are unsatisfactory. The proposed test is superior in power to tests based on Cox's model. CONCLUSIONS: The healthy worker effect may not be controlled by classical Cox's proportional hazards models. The proposed method performed well in the presence of healthy worker effect in terms of level and power