ABSTRACT
Background: This 13-month prospective study aimed to investigate the impact of employees’ worry about workplace measures against COVID-19 on the onset of major depressive episode (MDE) during repeated COVID-19 outbreaks in Japan. Methods: Data were collected by using online questionnaires from full-time employees at baseline (May 2020) and the 7th survey (June 2021). The onset of MDE during the follow-up was retrospectively measured at the 7th survey, with a self-report scale developed based on the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.): according to the DSM-IV/DSM-5 criteria. Participants were asked to report the number of workplace measures against COVID-19 in their companies/organizations and their worry about these measures. Multiple logistic regression was conducted of MDE on the number of workplace measures and worry about these, adjusting for demographic and work-related covariates and psychological distress at baseline. Results: Among 968 respondents employed in May 2020, 827 completed the 7th survey in June 2021 (80%). We excluded 75 respondents who reported they had MDE in May 2020 or earlier. Worry about workplace measures was significantly associated with the onset of MDE after adjusting for the covariates (OR, 2.18;95%CI, 1.12-4.25, p=0.022). No significant association was found between the number of the workplace measures and the onset of MDE. Conclusions: Worrying about insufficient workplace measures taken by company/organization may be a risk factor for the onset of MDE among full-time employees during the COVID-19 epidemic.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: COVID-19 has increased the use of online consultation in occupational health. To clarify the experience, satisfaction, and difficulties of the online consultations, we surveyed a sample of workers about their experiences with online consultations during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online survey was conducted in March 2021 among employees of the nationwide online panel survey in Japan (E-COCO-J). Respondents were asked to report whether they had online or face-to-face consultations with occupational health professionals in the past year, their level of satisfaction with these, and their difficulties and problems related to the online consultations when they had. Results: Among 1,102 respondents, 4.5% experienced online consultations and 5.0% experienced face-to-face consultations with occupational health professionals in the past year. The proportions of respondents who reported satisfaction with online consultations was high for general health consultation, for the follow-up consultations of health-checkups and health guidance, and for other purposes. The proportions of satisfaction with online consultations of occupational physician for those who worked long hours and consultations for employees who took leave or returned to work were low. The difficulties of online consultations were the discrepancy with the workers’ intentions, the quality of communication, and concerns about confidentiality. Conclusion: Online occupational health consultations worked well in the COVID-19 pandemic. The difficulties may exist for some types of consultations and in client’s preference, connection quality, and security.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study investigates and describes the time course of fears and worries about COVID-19 among currently employed population during this outbreak. Methods: This study was a longitudinal study using the dataset from the Employee Cohort Study in Japan (E-COCO-J). The study comprised 4120 individuals from February 2019. A baseline survey in March 2020, a 2-month follow-up survey in May 2020, and a 5-month follow-up survey in August 2020 were conducted. Questions surveyed respondents’ global fear and worry and six items related to COVID-19. A mixed model for repeated measures of an analysis of variance was used. Results: A total of 1,421 respondents completed the baseline survey. At 2- and 5-month follow-ups, 1,032 and 1,181 respondents completed surveys, respectively. Of those, 64 and 33 individuals who were temporarily laid off or on leave were recorded as missing values. Global fear and worry about COVID-19 significantly increased from March to August 2020. Fears of personal or family infection, limiting one's activities and national and local government policies also significantly increased with time. In contrast, fears of lack of knowledge and difficulty of obtaining hygiene products significantly decreased. Conclusions: Global fear and worry about COVID-19 were increased even though people have stayed together longer with this infectious disease. To conduct efficient risk communication during a pandemic, knowing the concerns of the populace, providing correct information and a sufficient supply of products, and setting clear guidelines are essential.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates and describes the time course of fears and worries about COVID-19 among current employees during this outbreak. STUDY DESIGN: This was a longitudinal study. METHODS: This study was a part of the Employee Cohort Study in Japan. The study comprised 4120 individuals from February 2019. A baseline survey in March 2020, a 2-month follow-up survey in May 2020, and a 5-month follow-up survey in August 2020 were conducted. Questions surveyed respondents' global fear and worry and six items related to COVID-19. A mixed model for repeated measures of an analysis of variance was used. RESULTS: A total of 1421 respondents completed the baseline survey. At 2- and 5-month follow-ups, 1032 and 1181 respondents completed surveys, respectively. Of those, 64 and 33 individuals who were temporarily laid off or on leave were recorded as missing values. Global fear and worry about COVID-19 significantly increased from March to August 2020. Fears of personal or family infection, limiting one's activities and national and local government policies also significantly increased with time. In contrast, fears of lack of knowledge and difficulty of obtaining hygiene products significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: To conduct efficient risk communication during a pandemic, knowing the concerns of the populace, providing correct information and a sufficient supply of products, and setting clear guidelines are essential.