The Relationship Between Symptoms and Job Loss among Japanese Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to clarify which workers symptoms led to unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study using questionnaires about COVID-19 administered to Japanese workers. A baseline survey conducted in December 2020 was used to determine workers health history. Unemployment since the baseline survey was ascertained with a follow-up survey in December 2021. The odds ratios (ORs) of unemployment were estimated using a multilevel logistic model with adjusted covariates nested in prefecture of residence. ResultsMales (n = 8,682) accounted for 58.2% of the total sample (n = 14,910), and the mean age was 48.2 years. Multivariate analysis showed that workers with "pain-related problems," "limited physical movement and mobility," "fatigue, loss of strength or appetite, fever, dizziness, and moodiness," "mental health problems," or "sleep" had a greater probability of resigning for health reasons, resigning for all reasons other than retirement, and being unemployed. Those with "skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns" or "eye-related matters" had a greater probability of becoming unemployed. ConclusionsWe identified an association between workers symptoms and resignation or unemployment, with different symptoms having different ORs. Furthermore, there were differences in the associations among the effects of symptoms, work dysfunction, resignation/unemployment, and attitudes of others. Preventive interventions to help workers resolve or improve their symptoms could prevent their becoming unemployed or resigning.

Sociodemographic factors affecting not receiving COVID-19 vaccine in Japan among people who originally intended to vaccinate: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundVaccine hesitancy is a major issue for acquiring herd immunity. However, some individuals may go unvaccinated owing to inhibitory factors other than vaccine hesitancy. If there is even a small number of such people, support is needed for equitable vaccine distribution and acquiring herd immunity. We investigated sociodemographic factors that affected not undergoing COVID-19 vaccination in Japan among individuals who initially had strong intention to vaccinate. MethodsWe conducted this prospective cohort study on workers aged 20-65 years from December 2020 (baseline), to December 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire survey. There were 27,036 participants at baseline and 18,560 at follow-up. We included 6,955 participants who answered yes to this question at baseline: "Would you like to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it becomes available?" We applied multilevel logistic regression analyses to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and being unvaccinated at follow-up. ResultsIn all, 289 participants (4.2%) went unvaccinated. The odds ratios (ORs) for being unvaccinated were significantly higher for participants aged 30-39 and 40-49 than those aged 60-65 years. Being divorced, widowed, or single, having low income, and having COVID-19 infection experience also had higher ORs. ConclusionsWe found that some participants who initially had strong intention to vaccinate may have gone unvaccinated owing to vaccine side effects and the financial impact of absenteeism due to side effects. It is necessary to provide information repeatedly about the need for vaccination as well as social support to ensure that those who intend to vaccinate are able to do so.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage by company size and the effects of socioeconomic factors and workplace vaccination in Japan: a cohort study

BackgroundVaccination is considered the most effective control measure against COVID-19. Vaccine hesitancy and equitable vaccine allocation are important challenges to disseminating developed vaccines. To promote COVID-19 vaccination coverage, the government of Japan established the workplace vaccination program. However, while it appears that the program was effective in overcoming vaccine hesitancy, the program may have hindered the equitable allocation of vaccines because it mainly focused on employees of large companies. We investigated the relationship between company size and COVID-19 vaccination completion status of employees and the impact of the workplace vaccination program on this relationship. MethodsWe conducted an internet-based prospective cohort study from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey. Briefly, 27,036 workers completed the questionnaire at baseline and 18,560 at follow-up. After excluding ineligible respondents, we finally analyzed the data from 15,829 participants. At baseline, the participants were asked about the size of the company they worked for, and at follow-up they were asked about the month in which they received their second COVID-19 vaccine dose and the availability of a company-arranged vaccination opportunity. ResultsIn each month throughout the observation period, the odds of having received a second COVID-19 vaccine dose were significantly lower for small-company employees than for large-company employees in the sex- and age-adjusted model. This difference decreased after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, and there was no significant difference after adjusting for the availability of a company-arranged vaccination opportunity. ConclusionsThe workplace vaccination program implemented in Japan to control the COVID-19 pandemic may have been effective in overcoming vaccine hesitancy in workers; however, it may have caused an inequitable allocation of vaccines between companies of different sizes. Because people who worked for small companies were less likely to be vaccinated, it will be necessary to enhance support of vaccination for this population in the event of future infectious disease outbreaks. Trial registrationNot applicable.

Workplace infection control measures and romantic activities of workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study in Japan

BackgroundDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, non-married people are at high risk of loneliness. With social interactions restricted, it is important for non-married people to acquire a new romantic partner for their mental health and quality of life. We hypothesized that infection control efforts in the workplace influence peoples social interactions, including romantic activities. MethodsWe conducted an internet-based prospective cohort study from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021, using self-administered questionnaires. Briefly, 27,036 workers completed the questionnaires at baseline, and when followed up after one year, 18,560 (68.7%) participated. A total of 6,486 non-married individuals with no romantic relationship at baseline were included in the analysis. At baseline they were asked about the implementation of infection control measures in the workplace, and at follow-up they were asked about activities they performed with a view to romantic relationships during the period from baseline to follow-up. ResultsCompared to workers in workplaces with no infection control measures, the OR associated with romance-related activities for those in workplaces with seven or more infection control measures was 1.90 (95% CI: 1.45-2.48, p<0.001), and the OR associated with having a new romantic partner was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.20-2.66, p=0.004). ConclusionsUnder the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of infection control measures in the workplace and the expressed satisfaction with those measures promoted romantic relationships among non-married, single individuals.

Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Telecommuting Preference-Practice Mismatch During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

IntroductionThis study examined the association between increased alcohol consumption and telecommuting, comparing employees who expressed a preference for telecommuting and those who did not. MethodsWe conducted an internet monitor survey. Responses from 20,395 of the 33,302 participants were included in the final sample. Participants were asked about their desire for and frequency of telecommuting, and about changes in alcohol consumption under the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. ResultsParticipants who telecommuted despite preferring not to do so reported significantly increased alcohol consumption, as revealed by a multivariate analysis (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.25-2.12). Participants who expressed a preference for telecommuting showed no such increase. ConclusionsUnder the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting that involves a mismatch with employee preference for way of working may be a new risk factor for problematic drinking.

Association of alcohol consumption and frequency with loneliness: A cross-sectional study among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThere are increasing concerns that prevention measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as social distancing and telework are leading to loneliness and poor lifestyle habits like increased alcohol consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess whether loneliness reported among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in alcohol consumption. MethodsThe study comprised a cross-sectional, online survey of 27,036 workers between December 22 and 26, 2020. A questionnaire was used to assess loneliness, usual alcohol consumption and whether that consumption had changed. The odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by logistic regression analysis. ResultsA total of 2831 (10.5%) workers indicated they had increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic. Increased alcohol consumption was significantly associated with loneliness (OR=1.94, 95%CI 1.70-2.21). This association held true for those who indicated they were drinking two or more days per week (OR=1.98 95%CI 1.71-2.30) and those who drank less than one day per week (OR=1.51 95%CI 0.71-3.25). In contrast, there was no association between increased drinking and loneliness among those who indicated they hardly ever drank (OR=1.22 95%CI 0.55-2.72). ConclusionsAmong those with a drinking habit, increased alcohol consumption is associated with loneliness.

Internet-based health survey on loneliness and sleep-related problems among the working-age population in Japan during COVID-19

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been linked to a rise in loneliness. Loneliness is associated with sleep-related problems, which in turn can be a risk factor for various psychiatric disorders. However, it is unclear whether loneliness is linked to sleep-related problems during the pandemic. Here, we studied the association between loneliness and sleep-related problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. MethodsA total of 33,302 individuals who indicated they were employed were surveyed online. The survey responses of 27,036 participants were analyzed. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. ResultsOf those analyzed, 2,750 (10.2%) experienced feelings of loneliness. Further, sleep-related problems were significantly more common among those who felt lonely both in the short term (more than 3 days) and the long term (more than 3 months). The OR was much weaker after adjusting for factors related to interpersonal connections, such as family and friendships, than after adjusting for factors related to socioeconomic status. ConclusionsLoneliness may be a risk factor for sleep-related problems in the COVID-19 pandemic. Having connections with family and friends may have a moderating effect on the occurrence of sleep-related problems.

Association between long working hours and psychological distress: The effect of sick leave criteria in the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of sick leave criteria on the association between long working hours and psychological distress. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey in December 2020, and 27,032 workers completed the questionnaire. First, after testing the interaction effect of overtime work hours and sick leave criteria on psychological distress, we conducted stratified analyses using sick leave criteria. ResultsA significant interaction effect was found. When we conducted stratified analyses, the odds ratios increased with longer working hours, both with and without sick leave criteria groups; however, the risk was greater in the without sick leave criteria group, compared with the criteria group. ConclusionWe revealed that working without sick leave criteria could strengthen the association between long working hours and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical significanceWorkers working without sick leave criteria had a significantly higher risk of psychological distress due to long working hours than those who worked with the criteria. Our findings contribute to preventing the deterioration of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors associated with acceptance of a digital contact tracing application for COVID-19 in the Japanese working-age population

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine factors associated with acceptance of a Digital Contact Tracing (DCT) app for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Japanese working-age population. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed for 27,036 full-time workers registered with an internet survey company during December 2020 in Japan. ResultsThe rate of downloading the DCT app was 25.1%. The DCT app was more likely to be accepted by people with married status, university graduation or above, higher income, and occupations involving desk work. Fear of COVID-19 transmission, wearing a mask, using hand disinfection, willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and presence of an acquaintance infected with COVID-19 were also associated with a greater likelihood of adopting the app. ConclusionsThe present findings have important implications for widespread adoption of DCT apps in working-age populations in Japan and elsewhere.

Relationship among work-treatment balance, job stress, and work engagement in Japan: A cross-sectional study

There is a drive to support workers undergoing medical treatment who wish to continue working in Japan, known as the work-treatment balance. It is hoped that this support for the work-treatment balance could boost their mental health. This study examines the relationship among the work-treatment balance, job stress, and work engagement. This study was conducted in December 2020 in Japan, with 27,036 participants. We divided the participants into three groups by the receipt state of support for the work-treatment balance: control group (no need the support), unsupported group, and supported group. The scores of the parameters of the job content questionnaire and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3) were compared among groups using a multilevel regression with age-sex or multivariate-adjusted models. In the two models, the job control score of the unsupported group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The two social support scores of the supported group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The scores of the UWES-3 of the unsupported group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The support of work-treatment balance for workers could have a positive impact on their mental health.