Relationship between somatic symptoms with menstruation and intention to leave work among university hospital nurses in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between menstrual symptoms and the intention to leave work among female nurses in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated female nurses (n = 317) at two university hospitals. The items measured were their characteristics (e.g., age, body mass index), "intention to leave" work, somatic symptoms related with menstruation, self-reported menstrual characteristics (e.g., pain), physical workloads (e.g., working hours and night shifts) and psychological workloads, measured with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Participants with at least four somatic symptoms (e.g., cold, fatigue) which are present during their menstrual cycles were considered to have "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation." We also measured serum ovarian and gonadotropin-releasing hormones. RESULTS: Approximately 40% of women answered "intention to leave" work, and 17% had "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation." Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that nurses reporting "somatic symptoms associated with menstruation" were more likely to have "intention to leave" work: the adjusted odds ratios (AOR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) were 2.15 (1.12-4.11) in the personal-burnout model, 2.23 (1.16-4.31) in the work-related burnout model, 2.91 (1.52-5.56) in the client-related burnout model; 2.96 (1.50-5.82) in the JCQ model. There was no association between serum and gonadotropin hormones and the intention to leave. CONCLUSION: Somatic symptoms with menstruation were associated with intention to leave work among female Japanese nurses. Intervention for somatic symptoms with menstruation might support nurses to continue work.

Prevalencia de enfermedad osteomioarticular lumbosacras y miembros inferiores en auxiliares de enfermería / Prevalence of lumbosacral and lower limb osteomyoarticular pathologies in nursing assistants / Prevalência de doença osteomioarticular lombossacral e de membros inferiores em auxiliares de enfermagem

RESUMEN Introducción: Los trabajadores de la salud se enfrentan permanentemente a labores complejas que afectan la región lumbar y miembros inferiores. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia de enfermedad osteomioarticular lumbosacras y miembros inferiores en auxiliares de enfermería Método: Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo y transversal en una muestra de 46 auxiliares del Distrito 18D04 de salud de Tungurahua, Ecuador. El instrumento aplicado fue un cuestionario para indagar variables sociodemográficas, antigüedad en el sector, horarios, tipos y tiempo de exposición a las labores habituales. Se utilizó la prueba estadística Chi-cuadrado, la paramétrica de correlación de Pearson y la prueba t de Student. Resultados: El 85 % de los estudiados presentó enfermedades lumbosacras y miembros inferiores durante el tiempo de trabajo, se apreció que el 39 % ha tenido una baja temporal al trabajo entre 1-3 días. Se identificó que la carga de peso es realizada por un 37 % y caminatas prolongadas en un 33 %. El 67 % tenía entre 11 y 40 años de trabajo y el resto menos de 10 años en el sector. El 54 % padeció enfermedades pertenecientes a miembros inferiores y un 46 % a lumbosacras. Conclusiones: El padecimiento de enfermedad osteomioarticular lumbosacras y miembros inferiores está relacionado con la edad y con padecerlas en los últimos doce meses, estas han provocado ausentismo laboral. No se comprobó una relación estadísticamente significativa con el padecimiento de enfermedad osteomioarticular con la antigüedad en el sector, las jornadas de trabajo y las actividades que más desarrollan.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Health care workers are constantly confronted with complex tasks that affect the lumbar region and lower limbs. Objective: To identify the prevalence of lumbosacral and lower limb osteomyoarticular pathologies in nursing assistants. Method: An epidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the 18D04 health district of Tungurahua, Ecuador. A total of 46 nursing assistants were selected in this study. We aimed a questionnaire to assess the sociodemographic variables, seniority in the health sector, time schedules, modes and time of exposure to the usual work. Chi-square test, Pearson's parametric correlation test, and the Student's t-test were used. Results: Most nursing assistants, the 85%, were diagnosed with lumbosacral and lower limb pathologies, and 39% took a temporary absence from work between 1-3 days. It was found that 37 % performed the heavy load work and 33% performed prolonged walks. The 67% had between 11 and 40 years of work and the rest had less than 10 years in the health sector. Fifty-four percent suffered from lower limb pathologies and 46% from lumbosacral pathologies. Conclusions: Lumbosacral and lower limb osteomyoarticular pathology is related to age, and their suffering in the last 12 months has led to a level of absenteeism in the workplace. There was no an important relationship, statistically, between osteomyoarticular pathology and seniority in the sector, working hours and the activities most frequently performed.

RESUMO Introdução: Os trabalhadores da saúde enfrentam constantemente tarefas complexas que afetam a região lombar e membros inferiores. Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência de doenças osteomioarticulares lombossacrais e de membros inferiores em auxiliares de enfermagem. Método: Estudo epidemiológico, descritivo e transversal em uma amostra de 46 auxiliares do Distrito Sanitário 18D04 de Tungurahua, Equador. O instrumento aplicado foi um questionário para investigar variáveis sociodemográficas, antiguidade no setor, horário, tipos e tempo de exposição a tarefas normais. Foram utilizados o teste estatístico Qui-quadrado, correlação paramétrica de Pearson e teste t de Student. Resultados: 85% dos estudados apresentaram doenças lombossacrais e de membros inferiores durante o tempo de trabalho, observou-se que 39% tiveram afastamento temporário do trabalho entre 1-3 dias. Identificou-se que a descarga de peso é realizada por 37% e as caminhadas prolongadas por 33%. 67% tinham entre 11 e 40 anos de trabalho e o restante menos de 10 anos no setor. 54% sofreram doenças pertencentes aos membros inferiores e 46% lombossacral. Conclusões: O sofrimento da doença osteomioarticular lombossacral e de membros inferiores está relacionado à idade e com o sofrimento nos últimos doze meses, estes têm causado absenteísmo ao trabalho. Não foi verificada relação estatisticamente significativa entre o sofrimento de doença osteomioarticular e o tempo de permanência no setor, a jornada de trabalho e as atividades que mais desenvolvem.

Describing objectively measured intensive care nurses' physical work activity behavioural patterns during a 12-hr shift.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To describe intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' physical work activity behavioural patterns over 12 hr using dual accelerometry, following a job demands-recovery framework. BACKGROUND: Limited studies utilised accelerometry to objectively analyse nurses' physical workloads. Little is known about intensive care nurses' physical activity patterns during a 12-hr shift. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted with intensive care nurses from four units in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS: Each participant wore two Axivity AX3 accelerometers to measure physical activity during a 12-hr day or night shift. An online survey captured participants' demographic information. R software (version 3.6.1) and SPSS version 26 were utilised for data analysis. The STROBE was followed. RESULTS: A total of 102 nurses were included in this study. A high level of light intensity activity behaviours (standing, dynamic standing, walking) was observed throughout the day shifts, with no higher intensity behaviours identified. Activity levels were highest at the beginning of shifts and followed a consistent pattern, with an additional peak around midday for day shifts and at the end of the shift for night shifts. Observable differences were seen between day and night shifts with a greater prevalence of sitting and lying during night shifts. Standing, dynamic standing, sitting, lying and walking were significant factors in the differences of the physical work behaviours between the day shift nurses and the night shift nurses. Significant differences in dynamic standing and lying were found between ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive care nurses' physical work activity involved a large amount of standing and dynamic standing during a 12-hr shift. The overall physical workload during a 12-hr day shift was significantly higher than that during a 12-hr night shift. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Results may help managers attain a better understanding of nurses' physical workloads during a 12-hr shift.

Retrospectively assessed physical work environment during working life and risk of sickness absence and labour market exit among older workers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prospective association between retrospectively assessed physical work environment during working life and prospectively assessed sickness absence and labour market exit among older workers. METHODS: Using Cox regression analyses we estimated the 4-year to 6-year prospective risk of register-based long-term sickness absence (LTSA), disability pension, early retirement and unemployment from exposure to different physical work environmental factors during working life among 5076 older workers (age 49-63 at baseline) from the Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank cohort. RESULTS: Very hard physical work throughout working life was a risk factor for LTSA (HR 1.66,95% CI 1.32 to 2.07), disability pension (HR 2.21,95% CI 1.04 to 4.72) and early retirement (HR 1.57,95% CI 1.13 to 2.17). Both short-term (<10 years) and long-term (≥20 years) exposures to lifting or carrying of heavy burdens predicted the risk of LTSA (HRs 1.49-1.56) and disability pension (HRs 2.26-3.29). In contrast, exposure to dust was associated with LTSA and disability pension only following 20 or more exposure years. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospectively assessed hard physical work during working life and exposure to several factors in the physical work environment, especially heavy lifting, were important for labour market exit and sickness absence. This study underscores the importance of reducing physical work exposures throughout the working life course for preventing sickness absence and premature exit from the labour market.

Physical working conditions as covered in European monitoring questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of workers with demanding physical working conditions in the European work force remains high, and occupational physical exposures are considered important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), a major burden for both workers and society. Exposures to physical workloads are therefore part of the European nationwide surveys to monitor working conditions and health. An interesting question is to what extent the same domains, dimensions and items referring to the physical workloads are covered in the surveys. The purpose of this paper is to determine 1) which domains and dimensions of the physical workloads are monitored in surveys at the national level and the EU level and 2) the degree of European consensus among these surveys regarding coverage of individual domains and dimensions. METHOD: Items on physical workloads used in one European wide/Spanish and five other European nationwide work environment surveys were classified into the domains and dimensions they cover, using a taxonomy agreed upon among all participating partners. RESULTS: The taxonomy reveals that there is a modest overlap between the domains covered in the surveys, but when considering dimensions, the results indicate a lower agreement. The phrasing of items and answering categories differs between the surveys. Among the domains, the three domains covered by all surveys are "lifting, holding & carrying of loads/pushing & pulling of loads", "awkward body postures" and "vibrations". The three domains covered less well, that is only by three surveys or less, are "physical work effort", "working sitting", and "mixed exposure". CONCLUSIONS: This is the first thorough overview to evaluate the coverage of domains and dimensions of self-reported physical workloads in a selection of European nationwide surveys. We hope the overview will provide input to the revisions and updates of the individual countries' surveys in order to enhance coverage of relevant domains and dimensions in all surveys and to increase the informational value of the surveys.

Reliability and Validity of Questionnaire for Assessing Physical Workloads / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to make a questionnaire for assessing physical workloads and to evaluate its reliability and validity. METHODS: A total of 220 workers (foundry workers 30, large vehicle assemblers 30, shipyard workers 75, and automobile manufacturers 80) completed a self-administered questionnaire and took examinations for physical work capacity and working heart rate. We excluded data with insufficient responses or incorrect physical work capacity and working heart rate. Finally, the data of 154 workers (70.0%) were used for our study. In order to evaluate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, we used statistical analyses including the scaling assumption test and a comparison with the objective tool for physical workload which was evaluated by working energy expenditure. RESULTS: The items of the questionnaire in the same categories had close distribution in the evaluation of the scaling assumption. The item internal consistency was 0.41-0.73 for posture factor, and 0.62-0.79 for non-posture factor. The item discriminate validity was 100%. Cronbach's alphacoefficient of the total items was 0.73 (0.58 for posture factor and 0.74 for nonposture factor). In the correlation between working energy expenditure and questions, general physical activity (p=0.008), proportion of the workday with hands above shoulder (p=0.002), proportion of the workday with trunk bent (p=0.028), proportion of the workday with awkward posture (p=0.048), sweating after work (p=0.006), total scales (p=0.003) and Borg scale (p=0.011) all had statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our questionnaire for assessing physical workloads demonstrated statistically significant reliability and validity. But the questions for the proportions of the workday with sitting work posture and with static posture should be modified via a larger study.