Analysis on work-related musculoskeletal disorders and sickness absence among key industry workers in Shenzhen City / 中国职业医学

{L-End}Objective To understand the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and sickness absence due to WMSDs among key industry workers in Shenzhen City. {L-End}Methods A total of 14 949 workers exposed to dust, noise, chemical and radiation (hereinafter referred to as "traditional occupational groups") in some key industries in Shenzhen City, as well as bus drivers, teachers, medical staff, policemen, courier, sanitation workers and video operators were selected as the research subjects using stratified cluster sampling. The Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and sickness absence due to WMSDs in the past year. {L-End}Results The overall prevalence of WMSDs among the study subjects was 56.3% (8 423/14 949). The prevalence of WMSDs in different body parts from high to low was neck, waist, shoulder, back, knee, wrist, ankle, hip, and elbow, which was 37.6%, 35.7%, 31.7%, 25.2%, 18.3%, 15.4%, 14.9%, 12.4%, and 11.6%, respectively (P<0.01). The overall prevalence of WMSDs among different occupational groups from high to low was teachers, video operators, bus drivers, couriers, medical staff, policemen, traditional occupational groups, and sanitation workers, which was 82.2%, 75.7%, 74.9%, 73.9%, 67.9%, 64.3%, 43.3%, and 31.9%, respectively (P<0.01). The overall rate of sickness absence due to WMSDs was 18.3% (2 736/14 949). The overall rate of sickness absence among different occupational groups from high to low was bus drivers, couriers, teachers, traditional occupational groups, policemen, video operators, medical staff, and sanitation workers, which was 31.6%, 24.5%, 20.9%, 20.2%, 15.2%, 12.4%, 9.3%, and 6.7%, respectively (P<0.01). Among different parts of the body, the highest correlation coefficient of WMSDs was found between neck and shoulder ［correlatioon cofficient (r)=0.648, P<0.01］, while the lowest was between neck and ankle (r=0.303, P<0.01). {L-End}Conclusion The prevalence of WMSDs and sickness absence due to WMSDs among key industry workers in Shenzhen City is relatively high. Comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken according to the characteristics of occupational population to reduce the impact of WMSDs on the health of occupational population.

Sick Leave in Colombia in the 2016-2018 period: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Observational Study / Licencia por enfermedad en Colombia en el período 2016-2018: Estudio observacional transversal retrospectivo

Introduction: To understand the sick leave situation and the causes and effects of a temporary loss of capacity to work allows for the strengthening of policies and management in the provision of health services. Objective: To analyze sick leave in Colombia in the 2016-2018 period. Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study and the relative risk was calculated. Sick leave reports were provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. 12,410,837 reports from formal workers between the ages of 18-70 years and had at least one temporary disability were processed. Results: The average age of people with sick leave was 37.11 years, 53% corresponding to females. On average, sick leave was 90.6% and 5.6% for dependent and independent workers, respectively. The principal causes of disability were musculoskeletal diseases and were more likely in men and adults according to RR. Men in comparison to females and adults in comparison to youths are less likely to have sick leave due to respiratory disease. Conclusions: In Colombia, females presented more temporary sick leave, even if males had more days of disability, even though the median was three days in both genders. Youth and adults had more sick leave days.

Introducción: Comprender la situación de incapacidad por enfermedad, causas y efectos de una pérdida temporal de la capacidad de trabajo fortalece las políticas y la gestión en la prestación de servicios de salud. Objetivo: Analizar las incapacidades por enfermedad en Colombia en el período 2016-2018. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal retrospectivo, con cálculo del riesgo relativo. Se procesaron 12.410.837 registros de trabajadores formales entre 18 y 70 años de edad y con al menos una incapacidad temporal, según los informes del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social. Resultados: La edad promedio de las personas fue de 37,11 años, 53% fueron mujeres. En promedio, el 90,6% de las incapacidades fue para trabajadores dependientes y el 5,6% trabajadores independientes. Las principales causas de incapacidad fueron las enfermedades del sistema musculoesquelético más frecuentes en hombres adultos según RR. Los hombres en comparación con las mujeres y los adultos en comparación con los jóvenes tienen menos probabilidades de tener licencia por enfermedad respiratoria. Conclusiones: Las mujeres presentaron más incapacidades temporales por enfermedad, aunque los hombres tuvieron más días de incapacidad, la mediana fue de tres días en ambos géneros. Los jóvenes y los adultos tenían más días de baja por enfermedad.

Riesgos ergonómicos y sus efectos sobre la salud en el personal de Enfermería

RESUMEN Introducción: El trabajo en instituciones hospitalarias de varios países es realizado en condiciones laborales inadecuadas. En el caso de las ergonómicas esta situación acarrea enfermedades en los trabajadores, como son las lesiones osteomusculares, con su consiguiente ausentismo por licencias médicas. Objetivo: Describir la ocurrencia de lesiones osteomusculares y de ausentismo-enfermedad y las condiciones laborales que ocasionó la solicitud de licencias prolongadas en el personal de salud. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal en 23 profesionales de Enfermería con licencia de larga duración, de una institución pública en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina, en el periodo septiembre-octubre de 2021. Se utilizó el Cuestionario Nórdico Estandarizado y el Cuestionario de Situación Ergonómica del Ambiente de Trabajo. Fueron analizadas las variables: condiciones del entorno laboral, riesgos ergonómicos y riesgos laborales, síntomas osteomusculares, ausentismo, postura corporal según posición de columna vertebral y brazos. Resultados: El 60,9 % de los encuestados perteneció al sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 35,9 años, moda de 39 y la desviación estándar de 9,2 años. Prevalecieron las lesiones en espalda alta y baja, cuello y ambos hombros. En cuanto a la satisfacción respecto a la postura corporal adoptada y las condiciones ergonómicas del mobiliario, el 73,9 % refirió que era poco satisfactorio. Conclusiones: Los riesgos ergonómicos que influyen en el personal de Enfermería de esta institución ocasionan daños físicos y mentales al personal debido a la sobrecarga del aparato músculo-esquelético y la función cognitiva que tienen que desempeñar para realizar sus actividades diarias.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Works in hospital institutions in several countries is performed under inadequate working conditions. Concerning the ergonomic risk, this situation leads to illnesses in workers, such as musculoskeletal injuries, causing absenteeism in workers due to medical exemption certificates. Objective: To describe the arising musculoskeletal injuries and absenteeism-illness, also the working conditions that caused on the health personnel request for extended medical exemption certificates. Method: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out, during the period September throughout October 2021, on 23 nursing professionals with extended medical exemption certificates, all of them associated to a public institution at the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire and the Questionnaire of Ergonomic Situation for working environment were used. The following variables were analyzed: working environment conditions, ergonomic risks and occupational hazards, musculoskeletal symptoms, absenteeism, body posture according to the spine and arms position. Results: The 60.9% of personnel surveyed were female. The mean age was 35.9 years, mode ≈39 and standard deviation 9.2 years. Injuries at the upper and lower back, neck and both shoulders prevailed. Concerning satisfaction on the ergonomic conditions of the furniture and the adopted body posture, 73.9% reported that it was not very satisfactory. Conclusions: The ergonomic risks that impact the nursing staff at this institution cause physical and mental damage due to the overload of the musculoskeletal apparatus and the cognitive function they have to perform in order to carry out their daily activities.

RESUMO Introdução: O trabalho em instituições hospitalares em vários países é realizado em condições inadequadas de trabalho. No caso da ergonomia, essa situação leva a doenças nos trabalhadores, como lesões musculoesqueléticas, com consequente absenteísmo por licença médica. Objetivo: Descrever a ocorrência de lesões musculoesqueléticas e absenteísmo-doença e as condições de trabalho que levaram ao pedido de afastamento prolongado do pessoal de saúde. Método: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal, realizado em 23 profissionais de Enfermagem com licença de longa duração, de uma instituição pública da Cidade Autônoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina, no período de setembro a outubro de 2021. O Questionário Nórdico Padronizado e o Questionário de Situação Ergonômica do Ambiente de Trabalho. As variáveis analisadas foram: condições do ambiente de trabalho, riscos ergonômicos e ocupacionais, sintomas osteomusculares, absenteísmo, postura corporal de acordo com a posição da coluna e dos braços. Resultados: 60,9% dos entrevistados eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 35,9 anos, a moda de 39 e o desvio padrão de 9,2 anos. Lesões na parte superior e inferior das costas, pescoço e ambos os ombros prevaleceram. Em relação à satisfação com a postura corporal adotada e as condições ergonômicas do mobiliário, 73,9% relataram que era insatisfatória. Conclusões: Os riscos ergonômicos que influenciam a equipe de Enfermagem desta instituição causam danos físicos e mentais à equipe devido à sobrecarga do aparelho musculoesquelético e da função cognitiva que têm que desempenhar para realizar suas atividades diárias.

Association of Amplitude and Stability of Circadian Rhythm, Sleep Quality, and Occupational Stress with Sickness Absence among a Gas Company Employees—A Cross Sectional Study from Iran

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to assess the relationship between sickness absence and occupational stress, sleep quality, and amplitude and stability of circadian rhythm as well as to determine contributing factors of sickness absence. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on 400 randomly selected employees of an Iranian gas company. The data were collected using Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Karolinska sleepiness scale, circadian type inventory, and Osipow occupational stress questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age and job tenure of the participants were 33.18 ± 5.64 years and 6.06 ± 4.99 years, respectively. Also, the participants had been absent from work on average 2.16 days a year. According to the results, 209 participants had no absences, 129 participants had short-term absences, and 62 participants had long-term absences. The results showed a significant relationship between short-term absenteeism and amplitude of circadian rhythm [odds ratio (OR) = 6.13], sleep quality (OR = 14.46), sleepiness (OR = 2.08), role boundary (OR = 6.45), and responsibility (OR = 5.23). Long-term absenteeism was also significantly associated with amplitude of circadian rhythm (OR = 2.42), sleep quality (OR = 21.56), sleepiness (OR = 6.44), role overload (OR = 4.84), role boundary (OR = 4.27), and responsibility (OR = 3.72). CONCLUSION: The results revealed that poor sleep quality, amplitude of circadian rhythm, and occupational stress were the contributing factors for sickness absence in the study population.

Relationship between Comorbid Health Problems and Musculoskeletal Disorders Resulting in Musculoskeletal Complaints and Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence among Employees in Korea

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and comorbid health problems, including depression/anxiety disorder, insomnia/sleep disorder, fatigue, and injury by accident, and to determine whether certain physical and psychological factors reduce comorbid health problems. METHODS: In total, 29,711 employees were selected from respondents of the Third Korean Working Conditions Survey and categorized into two groups: Musculoskeletal Complaints or Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence. Four self-reported health indicators (overall fatigue, depression/anxiety, insomnia/sleep disorder, and injury by accident) were selected as outcomes, based on their high prevalence in Korea. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between comorbid health problems, musculoskeletal complaints, and sickness absence. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence due to muscular pain was 32.26% and 0.59%, respectively. Compared to the reference group, depression/anxiety disorder and overall fatigue were 5.2-6.1 times more prevalent in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group and insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were 7.6-11.0 times more prevalent in the Sickness Absence Group. When adjusted for individual and work-related physical factors, prevalence of all four comorbid health problems were slightly decreased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Increases in overall fatigue and depression/anxiety disorder were observed in the Musculoskeletal Complaints Group, while increases in insomnia/sleep disorder and injury by accident were observed in the Sickness Absence Group. For management of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence in the workplace, differences in health problems between employees with musculoskeletal complaints and those with sickness absence as well as the physical and psychological risk factors should be considered.

Risk Factors for Absenteeism due to Work related Musculo-skeletal Disorders among Korean Employees / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Absenteeism due to musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) of workers is an important index of occupational health. Since research on its causes is rare in Korea, the risk factors for absenteeism due to MSDs should be studied. METHODS: Using the 2nd Korean working condition survey data, we investigated the prevalence of absenteeism due to MSDs. We also analyzed the risk factors for absenteeism by multiple logistic regression analysis in Korean employees. RESULTS: Prevalence of absenteeism due to MSDs was 0.7% in all employees, 0.5% in men, and 0.9% in women. In logistic regression analysis, gender, age, presence of a representative worker organization, working on tight deadlines, and pace of work dependent on automated equipment/machine were risk factors of absenteeism due to MSDs for both sexes. For males, working time, working at a very high speed were additional risk factors. For females, pace of work dependent on numerical production, performance, and targets were additional risk factors. Although not included in the multiple logistic regression analysis, handling heavy loads in both sexes and average monthly income for women were risk factors in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: For absenteeism due to MSDs, the presence of a representative worker organization, along with work pace and its determinants were important risk factors.

The Prevalence of Work Related Sickness Absences According to the Second Korean Working Condition Survey / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Worker's health is an important index used to evaluate working conditions and to prioritize prevention policies. However, this index has never before been calculated in Korea. The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of health problems caused by work related sickness absences using the second Korean Working Condition Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2010. METHODS: The second KWCS was conducted from June to October 2010 as a household survey for employed workers. The work related sickness absence rate was estimated using gender, age, business size, occupational status, level of education, and level of income. A logistic regression was performed in order to evaluate the relationship of the work related sickness absence with general characteristics and work-related conditions. RESULTS: The rate of work related sickness absence was 1.8(+/-0.2)% for all workers, with 6.0(+/-0.3)% of it being in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, and 2.2(+/-0.5)% in manufacturing. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) were the most common work related disorder [1.01(+/-0.12)%], followed by psychiatric disorders [0.18(+/-0.05)%], and respiratory disorders [0.14(+/-0.04)%]. The highest odds ratio (OR) for the work related sickness absence rate was in self-employed workers with employees (OR=2.23, 95%CI=1.05~4.74). CONCLUSIONS: The work related sickness absence rate for all workers, both self-employed and employed, including agriculture, forestry and fishing workers, and wholesale and retail trade workers was 1.8(+/-0.2)%. Because the KWCS was based on a self-reported questionnaire survey, this figure might be overestimated. In addition, it might omit chronic occupational disease and death cases.

Descripción del uso de la licencia médica psiquiátrica en un servicio especializado de atención ambulatoria / Psychiatric sick-leaves description in a specialized outpatient service

Objetivo: Describir las características de la prescripción del reposo médico de causa psiquiátrica en un servicio de atención especializado. Métodos: Se registraron las atenciones psiquiátricas y las licencias médicas emitidas en un período de 3 meses (julio a septiembre 2009). Resultados: En el período se realizaron 3.105 consultas psiquiátricas, indicándose licencia médica en 399 atenciones (12,7 por ciento). Se eliminaron 16 y se trabajó con 383 licencias. De estas, 184 (48 por ciento) fueron 1° licencia en el período, 190 (49,6 por ciento) fueron prórroga de anterior y 9 (2,3 por ciento) fueron repetición de reposo. El número de pacientes beneficiados con la indicación de reposo fue de 228 (12 por ciento). Los trastornos del ánimo dieron cuenta de un 78,1 por ciento de las licencias y se prescribieron más frecuentemente en mujeres (68,9 por ciento). La duración total del reposo fue 25,5 +/- 20 días y la mediana fue 15. Discusión: En un servicio especializado de Psiquiatría las atenciones generaron 12,7 por ciento de prescripción de licencias médicas. La gravedad de los casos puede explicar la alta frecuencia de prórrogas y repetición de licencias. Los trastornos del ánimo son los diagnósticos más frecuentemente consignados como causa de la licencia médica. Este trabajo aporta datos técnicos sobre el uso y características de la licencia médica psiquiátrica en Chile.

Objectives: To characterize sick leaves prescription in a specialized psychiatric service. Methods: We recorded all of psychiatric attentions as well as all of sick-leaves prescribed during a three months period (July to September, 2009). Results: 3,105 attentions were done, whit a 12,7 percent (399 attentions) of them resulting in a sick-leave prescription, corresponding to 228 out-patients. We discarded 16 sick-leaves because incomplete information. 184 (48 percent) sick-leaves were prescribed in a first visit, 190 (49,6 percent) were a prolongation of a previous sick-leave prescription, and 9 (2,3 percent) were prescribed after a working period posterior to a previous rest. Affective disorder were the most frequent diagnosis observed in sick-leave prescription (78,1 percent), being more frequent in women (68,9). The mean of rest was 25,5 +/- 20 days with a median of 15 days. Discussion: A 12,7 percent of psychiatric attention generated a sick-leave prescription. Severity of disorders seen in a specialized psychiatric service could explain this finding. Our results confirm Affective Disorders are the principal cause of sick-leave prescription. This study add technical knowledge about feature and uses of psychiatric sick-leaves in Chile.

Fatigue as a Predictor of Medical Utilization, Occupational Accident and Sickness Absence / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship of fatigue to medical utilization, occupational accident and sickness absence. Subjects and METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Study for Development and Standardization of Occupational Stress (NSDSOS Project, 2002~2004). A total of 30,146 employees categorized within the Korean Standard Industrial Classification and the Korean Standard Occupational Classification were recruited. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the participants' sociodemographics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, personality trait, self-perceived fatigue (MFS) and the frequency of medical utilization, occupational accident and sickness absence. Data on medical utilization and occupational accident were confirmed from company health records. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to elucidate the relationship of self-perceived fatigue to medical utilization, occupational accident and sickness absence. RESULTS: In logistic regression analyses, self-perceived fatigue was associated with medical utilization (outpatient), occupational accident and sickness absence although the strength of the associations was higher in the blue collar workers except for medical utilization. For medical utilization, the white collar workers' adjusted odds ratios of outpatient utilization for workers scoring in the third quartile and the highest quartile, compared to workers scoring in the lowest quartile were 1.50 (95% CI: 1.20-1.87) and 2.16 (95% CI: 1.69-2.75), respectively. The blue collar workers' adjusted odds ratios of outpatient utilization for workers scoring in the second (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06-1.43), third (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.22- 1.66) and highest quartile (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.55-2.17), respectively, compared to workers scoring in the lowest quartile were statistically significant. However, no associations were found between fatigue and inpatient utilization for either the white or blue collar workers. The blue collar workers' adjusted odds ratios of being injured for workers scoring in the second, third and highest quartile were 1.41 (95% CI: 1.00-2.00), 1.57 (95% CI: 1.10-2.22) and 2.41 (95% CI: 1.69-3.44), respectively, compared to those scoring in the lowest quartile, but, those of the white collar workers were not significant. There was more likely to an increased risk of sickness absence in workers scoring in the second, third and highest quartile compared to those scoring in the lowest quartile in both white and blue collar workers, but the magnitudes of risk were higher in the blue collar workers than the white collars workers. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that fatigue is a determinant predictor of medical utilization, occupational accident and sickness absence, and that the pattern of risks for the three outcomes differs according to the occupational type. Some limitations of this study and considerations for future study were also discussed.

Shiftwork and Sickness Absence in Korean Manufacturing Industries / 예방의학회지

In order to provide necessary information for better health of workers through understanding the actual status of the industries adopting shift systems. The data were gathered from a stratified random sample of 347(0.5%) firms selected out of about 70,000 manufacturing industries throughout the nation in 1993 stratification during sampling was by industrial group and number of workers. The major findings obtained from 288 firms surveyed completely were as follows: 1. About 20.2% of the 288 firms were adopting shift systems and shiftworkers accounted for about 25.1% of the total work force in 288 firms. 2. The bigger number of workers was, the higher the adopting rate of shift system was. 3. The rate of having welfare facilities such as dining room, commuting bus, washing facilities, and health care room etc. was higher in the industries adopting shift systems. 4. The major industrial groups adopting shift systems were the rubber & plastic goods manufacturing industry (54.1 per 100 firms) and the textile manufacturing industry (44.8 per 100 firms). However the proportion of shiftworkers was higher in the textile manufacturing industry (70.5 per 100 firms) and the electronics industry (57.9 per 100 firms). 5. The most predominant work schedule was the weekly rotating, semi-continuos 2-crew 2-shift system (47.5%). 6. In the industries adopting shift systems, shiftworkefs had an adjusted average of 0.29 spells per 100 workers (O.14-0.45 in 95% C.I) compared to 0.23 spells per 100 nonshift dayworkers (0.15-0.31 in 95% C.I) for 1 month. 7. Also in the industries adopting shift systems, the adjusted average annual turn-over rate of shiftworkers was 13.07 per 100 workers (12.03-14.12 in 95% C.I) compared to 10.18 per 100 nonshift dayworkers(9.53-10.82 in 95% C.I).

A Study On The Factors Of Absenteeism Among The Manufacturing Workers / 예방의학회지

This study was to examine the actual conditions and contributing factors of absenteeism in manufacturing workers. Subjects were 1,184 workers employed in Taejon city and the observation period for absenteeism was 3 months (June to August), 1992. We obtained the following results. 1. Percentage of the absentees among the studied subjects were 21.1% in gross absence and 6.9% in sickness absence. Gross absence rate of subjects was 1.2% and sickness absence rate was 0.5%. 2. In the group of absentees, mean days of absence was 2.8 days and those of sickness was 4.4 days. Mean days of sickness absence due to injury was higher than that of illness, but the total days of sickness absence was high in extremity injuries, trunk injury, general fatigue, head injury, musculoskeletal problem in that order. 3. Variables contributing to the absence were job classification, education level, working hours per day, exposure of noxious factor, worker classification. 4. In the group of absentees, variables influencing the gross absence rate were working atmosphere, body mass index, working environment, working hours per day but those of the sickness absence were working hours per day, education level and working atmosphere.