Modifications of Traditional Formulas to Estimate and Project Dependency Ratios and Their Implications in a Developing Country, Bangladesh.

Traditional dependency ratios based on the United Nations' old age definition (≥ 65 years) appear to be an inappropriate indicator for many developing countries, including Bangladesh. Bangladesh, with a retirement age of 59 in many sectors, defines old age as ≥ 60 years, whereas the United Nations documents 60-64 years as working age. This study offers two modifications to the traditional formulas of dependency ratios and compares the modified measures against the traditional measures from 1975 to 2100. Using data from the United Nations and the World Bank, (i) we moved the cut-off for 'old age' to 60 instead of 65 years, considering 15-59 years as 'potentially working', and (ii) we used the economically active population instead of the entire working-age population. Using our modified calculations, the growth rate of older adults (≥ 60 years) will be at its peak (4.6%) between 2020 and 2030 and continue to increase until 2085, though we will observe a negative population growth after 2055, and 2020-2040 appears to be the best time for reaping the highest demographic dividend. Compared to our modification, the traditional formula undercounted the older adults substantially, predicting a much lower demographic and financial burden. The modifications and associated estimates are important in advancing our understanding of dependency ratios in Bangladesh and have policy and practical implications in preventing the inaccurate representation of demographic and financial issues, and they are useful for planning for geriatric care, social safety nets, and healthy aging. The modified formulas may also be applicable in other countries which adopt ≥ 60 years as an old-age threshold. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11113-022-09720-8.

COVID-19 Worry and Mental Health Among the Economically Active Population in Guangdong, China.

Background: The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused people to worry, which has affected their mental health. This study aimed to access the impact of COVID-19 worry on the mental health of the economically active population (EAP) in a province of China. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted during an outbreak of COVID-19 in Guangdong, China. The survey used the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to evaluate participants' mental health status and was completed by 1,584 of the 1,708 participants (a response rate of 92.74%). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were used to identify the correlation between COVID-19 worry and mental health. Results: Approximately 42.05% of participants reported that they were very worried or extremely worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 worry was negatively correlated with mental health (p < 0.01) and exhibited a stronger influence on the mental health of participants who were male, younger (aged 16-45), or unemployed than on the mental health of participants who were women, older (aged over 45), or employed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that COVID-19 worry has generated new inequalities in mental health among the EAP of China. The government should provide more public reassurance and psychological support to the EAP to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 worry and prevent mental health disorders.

Sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population: data from the KNHANES 2008-2012.

BACKGROUND: Sunlight exposure is a major risk factor for eye disorders. Most outdoor workers cannot avoid sunlight exposure. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between outdoor sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population. METHODS: This study analyzed the 2008-2012 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data. Sunlight exposure was categorized as < 5 hours and > 5 hours. We also analyzed the dose-dependent relationship between exposure to sunlight and eye disorders (cataracts, pterygium, and age-related macular degeneration [AMD]) using data from 2010 to 2012 by subdividing the exposure groups into < 2 hours, 2-5 hours, and ≥ 5 hours. Eye disorders were diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. The study participants were stratified by sex, and the results were analyzed using the χ2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the female group, the odds ratio of pterygium in the high-level sunlight exposure group was 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.89). Regarding AMD, the odds ratios were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.16-1.73), 1.33 (95% CI: 1.03-1.73), and 1.58 (95% CI: 1.15-2.16) in the total, male, and female groups, respectively. Analysis of the dose-response relationship revealed that the odds ratios of pterygium in the high-level sunlight exposure subgroups of the total and female groups were 1.62 (95% CI: 1.25-2.08) and 2.00 (95% CI: 1.39-2.88), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a relationship between sunlight exposure and eye disorders in an economically active population. Women were found to be especially vulnerable to pterygium. However, additional prospective studies to clarify the pathophysiology of pterygium are needed.

Study of the lifestyle of economically active population of the chernivtsi region: the prevalence of risk factors among business entities in the market.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: To reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and premature mortality, it is necessary to influence the risks of their occurrence at all stages of life. Economically active population, which can be more at risk, is required the special attention. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence for risk factors of major NCDs among the economically active population of the Chernivtsi region in the example of business entities in the market. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The survey of the Chernivtsi business entities (n = 633) conducted in 2017-2018 on the territory of ME CSC (the Municipal Enterprise City Shopping Complex) "Kalynivskyi market" has been used in the research. RESULTS: Results: There is the high level of the prevalence of the main risk factors for NCDs (unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking) among those working in the territory of the market. Only 17% consume a sufficient amount of fruit and fish. Only 35% of respondents systematically do physical exercises and special physical exercises. The most common unhealthy diet has been found among young men (25-44 years), in this group, about 40% are smoking. An acute problem of female smoking (25%) among market workers has been revealed. It is shown that, in general (taking into account passive smoking), 65% of respondents suffer from harmful effects of tobacco. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The established features of the lifestyle of workers indicate the need to make maximum efforts to focus on improving medical literacy and the formation of motivation to preserve health.

Factors Affecting Dental Utilization and Dental Expenses in the Economically Active Population: Based on the 2010~2014 Korea Health Panel Data / 치위생과학회지

BACKGROUND: The health of the economically active population contributes to increased corporate productivity by reducing the productivity loss caused by disease and increasing job efficiency, which in turn is a national benefit. Since the economically active population is a concept encompassing workers and a source of economic development for a country, that population's health should be treated with importance not only from a personal standpoint but also at a national level. METHODS: In this study, data of 11,007 adults aged 20 years and older who participate in economic activities were analyzed in the five-year Korea Health Panel Study from 2010 to 2014 including the number of dental visits and dental medical expenses. RESULTS: Factors related to “gender,” “education level,” “age,” “duty category,” “income level,” “employment type,” “national health insurance,” and “chronic disease status” of the economically active population are affected in relation to the number of visits and dental medical expenses. The number of dental visits increased with higher education levels (p<0.001), and the number of visits to the dentist increased with older age (p <0.001). Dental medical expenses were 91,806 Korean won (KRW) more for “white-collar workers” than for “blue-collar workers” (p<0.03), and 127,674 KRW more for “regular workers” than for “atypical workers” (p<0.02). CONCLUSION: When it is necessary to improve policies to enhance the efficiency of the distribution of health and medical resources in the overall balance of the dental health sector, we should try to identify various factors of oral health disorder due to income inequality among the classes according to the country's employment type in order to find ways to reduce the health gap among the social classes.

Factores de riesgo psicosocial y burnout en población económicamente activa de Lima, Perú / Psychosocial risk factors and burnout in economically active population of lima, Peru

El estudio de los factores de riesgo psicosocial recobra mayor relevancia ante las dinámicas impuestas por las economías globalizadas que generan entornos competitivos, aumentando las exigencias físicas, psicológicas y sociales de los trabajadores, quienes manifiestan diversas respuestas como el estrés laboral crónico también conocido como burnout o Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo (SQT). El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia del burnout y su relación con la presencia de factores de riesgo psicosocial laborales, percibidos como negativos en trabajadores de la Población Económicamente Activa (PEA) de Lima, Perú. Se encuestaron 339 trabajadores con la aplicación del Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS)¹, instrumento en su nueva versión, y la escala de Factores Psicosociales en el Trabajo², encontrándose prevalencia de burnout muy alto en la dimensión desgaste emocional o agotamiento (6,22%), asociado con 4 diferentes factores de riesgo psicosocial. El mayor factor de riesgo lo representan las exigencias laborales (p<0,004) y (OR= 6,979) con la dimensión cinismo de burnout; lo anterior deja de manifiesto que ante las exigencias laborales, los trabajadores expresan actitudes cínicas como mecanismo de defensa, por lo que se concluye que la prevalencia del burnout se relaciona significativamente con los factores de riesgo psicosocial, de ahí que las organizaciones deben prestar especial atención en estos factores.

The study of psychosocial risk factors regains more relevance to the dynamics imposed by globalized economies that generate competitive environments, increasing the physical, psychological and social needs of workers who manifest different answers as chronic job stress also known as Burnout or Syndrome of burning for Work (SQT). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and its relationship with the presence of occupational psychosocial risk factors, perceived as negative in workers of the Economically Active Population (EAP) in Lima, Peru. 339 workers were surveyed with the implementation of Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS)¹, instrument in its new version, and the scale of Psychosocial Factors in Work², finding high prevalence of burnout in the dimension emotional exhaustion (6,22% ), associated with 4 different psychosocial risk factors, the biggest risk factor is represented by work demands (p <0,004) and (OR = 6,979) with the cynicism of burnout dimension, the previous makes it clear that with work demands, workers expressed cynicism as a defense mechanism, so it is concluded that the prevalence of burnout was significantly related to psychosocial risk factors, hence that organizations should pay special attention to these factors.

Nivel de conocimientos y actuación de residentes venezolanos de Medicina General Integral acerca del proceso de la dispensarización de los factores de riesgo laboral / Level of knowledge and performance of the Venezuelan residents of General Comprehensive Medicine as regards the categorization process of occupational risk factors

Caracterizar aspectos del nivel de preparación, conocimiento actual y abordaje que realizan los residentes venezolanos de Medicina General Integral del Estado de Barinas, acerca de los factores de riesgo laboral en el proceso de dispensarización. El sistema de métodos utilizados fueron teóricos, empíricos y procedimientos estadísticos. Se confeccionó un instrumento de evaluación para la revisión de los informes de análisis de la situación de salud en la determinante medio ambiente. El universo estuvo constituido por los 65 residentes que cursaban primero y segundo año de la especialidad, a los que se les aplicó una encuesta que permitió determinar el nivel de conocimientos sobre factores de riesgo laboral y su aplicación en el proceso de dispensarización de la población económicamente activa de su comunidad. Además, se entrevistó de forma individual a 5 médicos venezolanos con experiencia profesional, considerados como expertos. Demuestran una marcada insuficiencia en los conocimientos adquiridos en los estudios de pregrado, muy variable entre las diferentes universidades, así como una pobre aplicación de los mismos en la dispensarización de la población laboral. Se fundamenta y plantea la conveniencia de realizar un rediseño del módulo correspondiente al Programa de Especialización de Medicina General Integral, con el propósito de mejorar el desempeño de los médicos en la dispensarización de riesgos laborales.

To characterize the aspects of the training level, current knowledge, and actions performed by the venezuelan residents of General Comprehensive Medicine in Barinas State as regards the occupational risk factors in the categorization process. The methods used were theoretical, empirical, and statistical procedures. An assessment tool was created to review the reports of analysis on health situation in the environmental determinant. The universe included 65 first and second year residents of the specialty that were surveyed to determine the knowledge level on occupational risk factors, and its application in the categorization process of the economically active population. 5 venezuelan physicians with professional experience, considered as experts, were also interviewed. They showed a marked insufficiency in the knowledge acquired in pregrade studies, which varies a lot among the different universities, as well as a poor application of their knowledge in the categorization process of the working population. The convenience of redesigning the module corresponding to the Program of Specialization of General Comprehensive Medicine is founded aimed at improving the performance of physicians in the categorization process of occupational risks.