Effects of Work Shift or Shift Length on Radiation Safety Perception.

PURPOSE: This study investigated several determinants of radiation safety culture among radiologic technologists to determine whether factors related to work shifts or workday length affect the perception of workplace radiation safety. METHODS: The secondary analysis used de-identified data from 425 radiologic technologists collected with the Radiation Actions and Dimensions of Radiation Safety (RADS) questionnaire, a 35-item survey with valid and reliable psychometric properties. Respondents included radiologic technologists working in radiography, computed tomography (CT), mammography, and hospital radiology administration. Descriptive statistics were used to report RADS survey item outcomes, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests with Games-Howell post hoc tests were conducted to analyze the hypotheses. RESULTS: Mean differences in perception of teamwork across imaging stakeholders (P < .001) and leadership actions (P = .001) were found across shift-length groups. In addition, mean differences in perception of teamwork across imaging stakeholders (P = .007) were found across work-shift groups. DISCUSSION: Longer shifts (≥ 12 hours) and night shifts are related to a diminished perception of the importance of radiation safety among radiologic technologists. The study showed a significant effect of these shift factors on the perception of teamwork and leadership actions concerning radiation safety. CONCLUSION: These results underscore the importance of leadership actions and messaging, teamwork-building, and in-service training on radiation safety for technologists who frequently work long, after-hours shifts.

Occupational factors and markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center.

STUDY QUESTION: Are occupational factors associated with markers of testicular function among men attending a fertility center? SUMMARY ANSWER: Men working non-daytime/rotating shifts and those with physically demanding jobs have higher sperm concentration and total sperm count as well as higher estradiol and total testosterone concentrations. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Semen quality has declined during recent decades and has been negatively correlated with higher risks of common chronic diseases and mortality, highlighting its public health importance beyond fertility and reproduction. While most of the previous epidemiology literature on male fertility has focused on environmental exposures, dietary factors, and other related variables, little attention has been paid to occupational factors. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This observational study included 377 men who were male partners in couples seeking infertility treatment at a fertility center, who enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study between 2005 and 2019. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Self-reported information on lifting/moving heavy objects, typical shift, and physical level of exertion at work was collected from a take-home questionnaire. Semen samples were analyzed following World Health Organization guidelines. Enzyme immunoassays were used to assess reproductive hormone concentrations. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between occupational factors and measures of testicular function, while adjusting for covariates such as age, BMI, education, race, smoking, and abstinence time, and accounting for multiple semen samples (mean = 2, min-max = 1-9) in analyses for semen parameters. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Men had a median (interquartile range) age of 36 (33, 39) years and were predominantly Caucasian (87%). Of the men who completed the survey, 12% reported often lifting or moving heavy objects at work, 6% reported heavy physical exertion at work, and 9% reported evening or rotating shifts. Men who reported often lifting or moving heavy objects at work had 46% higher sperm concentrations (P = 0.01) and 44% higher total counts (P = 0.01) compared with men who reported never lifting or moving heavy objects at work. Similar results were found for men working in rotating shifts compared to those in day shifts, as well as for men involved in heavy levels of physical exertion compared to those with light levels at work. We also found that men involved in heavy/moderate levels of physical exertion at work had higher circulating testosterone concentrations compared to those with lighter exertion (adjusted means of 515 and 427 ng/dl, respectively, P = 0.08), and men who often moved/lifted heavy objects at work had higher estradiol concentrations, compared to those who never did (adjusted means of 36.8 and 27.1 pg/ml, respectively, P = 0.07). Men working evening/rotating shifts had 24% higher testosterone (P = 0.04) and 45% higher estradiol concentrations (P = 0.01), compared to men working day shifts. No associations were observed for ejaculated volume, total motility, morphologically normal sperm, or serum FSH and LH concentrations. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Due to our study design which recruited men from couples seeking fertility treatment, it may not be possible to generalize our findings to men from the general population. Also, as is the case of all studies based on self-reported questionnaires, measurement error and misclassification of the exposure are potential concerns. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Physically demanding jobs and rotating or evening shift occupations may be associated with higher testicular function in men measured as higher sperm concentrations and counts as well as higher serum testosterone and estradiol levels. Confirmation of these findings in other non-fertility clinic study populations is warranted. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): NIH grants R01ES022955, R01ES009718, R01ES033651, and R01ES000002 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and Legacy, Inc. R.A.G. works part time for Legacy, Inc., which provided funds to perform this analysis. There are no other conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Sleep, sleepiness and need for recovery of industrial employees after a change from an 8- to a 12-hour shift system.

Employees often prefer 12-hour work shifts but they can increase sleepiness and injury risk. We assessed whether sleep, sleepiness, satisfaction and need for recovery changed after changing from an 8-hour to a 12-hour shift system. The participants were 178 employees of the paper, pulp and chemical industries. Using a quasi-experimental controlled intervention design, 83 employees, who changed from an 8-hour shift schedule to a 12-hour shift schedule were compared to those who remained in the 8-hour shift schedule (n=95). Participants filled in a survey on sleep, sleepiness, satisfaction and need for recovery at baseline and 9-12 months after the shift schedule change. We used generalized estimation equation models adjusted for age, sex, shift work experience in years and baseline shift system. Sleep length was longer in the 12-hour shift schedule before the first morning shift and between morning shifts. Sleepiness during morning shifts was less frequent and satisfaction with the shift system was more prevalent in the 12-hour shift schedule. Also, perceived negative associations of the current shift system with work-life balance were less common in the 12-hour shift schedule. The differences found between the shift systems were minor and the results did not indicate significant disadvantages of the 12-hour fast forward-rotating shift system.

Subjective cognitive abilities correlate with poor sleep among day-shift and night-shift nurses.

Experimental studies have shown that sleep deprivation may lead to worse performance on cognitive tests. However, few studies have considered how sleep is associated with perceived cognitive performance in the daily lives of hospital nurses who require high cognitive abilities to deliver high-quality patient care. The current study examined the relationship between sleep and subjective cognition in nurses, and whether the relationship differed by work shift and workdays. Sixty in patient nurses working full-time (M = 35 years; 39 day-shift nurses, 21 night-shift nurses) reported their sleep characteristics and daily subjective cognition using ecological momentary assessment for 14 days. Concurrently, objective sleep characteristics were measured with a sleep actigraphy device for 14 days. Using multilevel modelling, results indicated that at the within-person and between-person level, better sleep quality and higher sleep sufficiency were associated with better subjective cognition at the daily-level and on average. Moderation analyses indicated at the within-person level, better sleep quality and longer time in bed were associated with better next-day cognition; these associations were stronger for night-shift nurses compared with day-shift nurses. At the between-person level, better sleep quality and higher sleep sufficiency were also associated with better subjective cognition overall; these associations were significant for day-shift nurses, but not for night-shift nurses. The sleep-subjective cognition relationships were more apparent on workdays versus non-workdays. Findings suggest that sufficient sleep recovery is important for nurses' reports of daily and overall cognitive functioning. Night-shift nurses' subjective cognitive abilities may be more protected on days following better sleepquality and more sufficient sleep.

Work Shift, Lifestyle Factors, and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Spanish Male Workers: A Mediation Analysis.

(1) Background: Working night shifts has been associated with altered circadian rhythms, lifestyle habits, and cardiometabolic risks. No information on the potential association of working shift and the presence of atherosclerosis is available. The aim of this study was to quantify the association between different work shifts and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis objectively measured by imaging. (2) Methods: Analyses were conducted on the baseline data of the Aragon Workers Health Study (AWHS) cohort, including information on 2459 middle-aged men. Categories of shift work included central day shift, rotating morning-evening or morning-evening-night shift, and night shift. The presence of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed by 2D ultrasound in the carotid and femoral vascular territories. Multivariable logistic models and mediation analysis were conducted to characterize and quantify the association between study variables. (3) Results: Participants working night or rotating shifts presented an overall worse cardiometabolic risk profile, as well as more detrimental lifestyle habits. Workers in the most intense (morning-evening-night) rotating shift presented higher odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 2.27) compared to workers in the central shift, independently of the presence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors. A considerable (21%) proportion of this association was found to be mediated by smoking, indicating that altered sleep-wake cycles have a direct relationship with the early presence of atherosclerotic lesions. (4) Conclusions: Work shifts should be factored in during workers health examinations, and when developing effective workplace wellness programs.

Chronotype patterns associated with job satisfaction of shift working healthcare providers.

Job satisfaction of healthcare providers is important for their own health and also the quality of care provided to their patients. The aim of our study was to measure the chronotype patterns among healthcare providers and its association with their job satisfaction. Using stratified cluster random sampling, we recruited 210 healthcare providers working permanent morning or evening shifts for a cross-sectional study in Sari, Iran. By in-person interview, we collected data on demographic characteristics and assessed both chronotype, using the Horne-Östberg M-E Questionnaire, and job satisfaction, using the Danet's Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. We grouped job satisfaction scores into four ordinal categories and assessed correlations with study variables by ordinal multivariate logistic regression. The average age of the participants was 39.0 (SD 8.02) years. Most were younger than 45 years of age (74.27%), female (66.67%), married (62.24%), of high income (45.71%), and employed in permanent full-time healthcare work (56.67%). Overall, 63.4% of the participants had moderately high to high job satisfaction. Those who worked the morning shift who were moderate morning and high morning chronotypes, compared to those who were intermediate chronotype, had a statistically significant adjusted odd ratio (AOR), respectively, of 11.36 and 6.53 of higher job satisfaction. Likewise, those who worked the evening shift and were moderate evening and high evening chronotype, compared to intermediate chronotype, had a statistically higher AOR of job satisfaction, respectively, 3.44 and 32.63. We found the match between chronotype and work shift schedule to be linked with increased job satisfaction. If the findings are verified in other investigations, the relatively easy measure of chronotype should be considered to assign people to a work shift to improve job satisfaction of healthcare and perhaps other workers.

Work Shift and Circadian Rhythm as Risk Factors for Poor Sleep Quality in Public Workers from Murcia (Spain).

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep quality and to investigate variables predicting the risk of poor sleep quality in public workers from Murcia (Spain). A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted from October 2013 to February 2016 in 476 public workers. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure the quality of sleep, and the reduced scale of the Horne and Österberg Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was applied to analyze the circadian typology. The predictive variables of self-reported poor sleep quality were identified by multivariate logistic regression. No significant differences were found according to sex in the overall sleep quality scores (5 ± 2.9 versus 5.1 ± 3, p = 0.650), but there were in the duration of sleep. Three percent of females slept <5 hours compared to 2% of men (p = 0.034). Fixed morning shifts (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-3.1; p = 0.007) and evening chronotypes (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.3; p = 0.017) were independent predictors of suffering from poor sleep quality. In conclusion, the frequency of self-reported poor sleep quality among public workers from Murcia was 37.4%. Being a public worker with a fixed morning shift and having an evening chronotype demonstrated to be associated with the quality of sleep.

Gender differences and occupational factors for the risk of obesity in the Italian working population.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a multifactorial condition and a major risk factor associated with several non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, and with a higher risk of premature death and disability. Sex-specific factors have key roles and must be taken into consideration in studying occupational factors associated with the risk of obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in body mass index (BMI) in a large cohort representative of Italian workers and, correlating this index with several demographic and occupational variables, to verify sex- and work-dependent differences in the risk of obesity. METHODS: We utilized data from INSuLa, a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of the Italian worker population conducted in 2013 by the Italian Workers' Compensation Authority to investigate health and safety at work. Analyses were run on a sample of 8000 Italian workers, aged from 16 to 64 years. Logistic regression models were employed to assess gender differences in the relation between occupational characteristics and BMI. We adjusted for age, education, variables related to health protection at work, and chronic conditions and diseases. RESULTS: There were several significant differences in the BMI between males and females, linked to some occupational factors. For instance, female shift workers were 1.32 times (95% CI 1.11-1.57) more likely to be overweight or obese than normal-weight workers, and this association was maintained when controlling for confounders. The likelihood of overweight or obesity among women who worked 1-2 night shifts per week was significantly higher - 1.5-1.6 times - than those on day shifts. CONCLUSIONS: Gender-specific differences in occupational factors associated with the risk of obesity are useful with a view to characterizing this risk and helping identify workplace-targeted intervention strategies.

The effect of working in an auto factory on functional constipation and bowel habits.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the factors associated with functional constipation (FC) and to determine a normal range of bowel movement (BM) in an Iranian Auto factory's workers. BACKGROUND: The digestive system may be affected by workplace conditions. Some occupational conditions can affect the bowel habit and FC. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 3590 workers who worked in Tehran suburb in 2017 were evaluated. The workers worked in morning or rotatory shifts and in the official and non-official sections. In addition to demographic and stool frequency questions, workers were asked to complete the Rome IV Questionnaire. RESULTS: The normal range of BM frequency was determined between one and three per day. The BM frequency had a significant association with age (P=0.002), marital status (P=0.024), education (P=0.011), exposure to chemical materials (P<0.001), and work section (P<0.001). The total prevalence of FC was 9.7% which was greater among rotatory shift working than among only morning shift workers (10% vs 6%; P=0.02). Independent factors associated with FC were found as age (for 30- 40 years old: OR=1.88; 95% CI (1.20, 3.03) and for ≥41 years old: OR=1.91; 95% CI (1.12,3.17)), smoking (OR=1.52; 95% CI (1.20,1.93)) and work section (for Paint section: OR=0.33; 95% CI (0.12,0.87), for montage section: OR=0.44; 95% CI (0.18,1.10), for press & platform section: OR=0.12; 95% CI (0.05,0.37)). CONCLUSION: Occupational condition may make a difference in bowel habit. Rotatory shift, official working, and smoking may increase the risk of constipation.

Quality indicators applied in a nursing continuing education program of a high complexity university hospital from Brazil: I ­ attendance indicators / Indicadores de qualidade aplicados a um programa de educação continuada de um hospital universitário brasileiro de alta complexidade: I ­ indicadores de comparecimento

Studies with nursing continuing education are common in the literature with a predominance of qualitative approaches. Quantitative assessments are punctual and focused on a single quality indicator, and few studies relate these indicators to the profile of nursing staff. The objective of the study was to describe the Training Cycles of the Clinical Hospital of Uberlândia as a strategy of a Nursing Continuing Education Program and evaluate the attendance indicators and their association with the nursing staff profile. The Training Cycles of the Clinical Hospital of Uberlândia are cyclic courses that are offered continually, in a mandatory participation regime, during work hours, outside of the hospital, focused on Nursing staff. The study was conducted in 2013/2014 and has a documentary character. It was held in a public high complexity university hospital in Brazil. The Relative Frequency Attendance was calculated in relation to the nursing professional category and shift. Attendance indicators were affected by professional category. Participation increased over time for the technical level (assistants and nursing technicians) and decreased for nurses. We found an attendance rate of 54.49% in nursing hospital staff. The attendance indicators were also different for the period/shift of the course (gradual decrease of attendance from morning to afternoon to night). We also observed a decrease in attendance indicators over time. Attendance indicators were effective in describing the results of the Continuing Education Program and allowed the service administrators to associate the indicator results to the nursing profile. These results served as a basis for adjustments in the continuing education program of the institution.

Estudos com educação continuada em enfermagem são comuns na literatura, embora com predominância de abordagem qualitativa. Avaliações quantitativas são pontuais e concentradas em um único indicador de qualidade, e em raros casos relacionam estes indicadores com o perfil da enfermagem. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o Ciclo de Capacitação do Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia como uma estratégia de um Programa de Educação Continuada em Enfermagem e avaliar os indicadores de comparecimento desse programa e sua associação com o perfil dos profissionais de enfermagem. O Ciclo de Capacitação do Hospital de Clínicas de Uberlândia é um curso cíclico que é oferecido continuamente, em um regime de participação obrigatória, durante as horas de trabalho, fora do hospital, e dedicado à equipe de enfermagem. O estudo foi realizado em 2013/2014, tem caráter documental, foi realizado num hospital público, de alta complexidade e universitário no Brasil. Foi calculado a Frequência Relativa de Comparecimento em função da categoria profissional e do plantão. Observamos uma taxa de comparecimento de 54.49% para os profissionais de enfermagem do hospital. Os indicadores de comparecimento foram afetados pela categoria profissional (aumento da participação ao longo do tempo para os profissionais de nível técnico (auxiliares e técnicos de enfermagem) e diminuição da participação dos enfermeiros. Houve diferenças entre os turnos de oferecimento do curso (diminuição gradativa da participação da manhã para a tarde e desta para a noite). Observou-se também a redução nos indicadores de comparecimento ao longo dos cursos em função do tempo de oferecimento. Os indicadores de comparecimento propostos foram eficazes em descrever os resultados e o comportamento do programa de educação continuada e permitiram associar seus resultados ao perfil dos profissionais de enfermagem e serviram de embasamento para ajustes no programa de educação permanente da instituição.

Influence of working in auto factory on gastroesophageal reflux disease.

AIM: Present study aimed to evaluate association between job -related factors and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among Iranian auto factory's workers. BACKGROUND: Many of the gastrointestinal disorders may be caused as the result of stress-related occupations and biorhythm disruption. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study on 3590 Iranian Auto factory employees. GERD symptoms, demographic information, work shift, work section and history of some gastrointestinal disease were asked from all employees by physician. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GERD symptoms according to the potential risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD was 25.57%, which was higher in rotatory shift (91.6%) than the fixed shift (8.4%) (P-value = 0.009). Smoking (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: (1.09, 1.57)), working in official section (P-value < 0.001), history of GERD (OR: 8.63; 95 % CI (6.53, 11.40)), history of peptic ulcer (OR: 2.96; 95 % CI (2.08, 4.20)), family history of gastrointestinal cancers (OR: 1.47; 95 % CI (1.19, 1.81)) were the factors associated with GERD symptoms. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GERD in the rotatory shift was more than the fixed shift. Smoking, family history of gastrointestinal cancers and peptic ulcer could be associated with GERD symptoms. Working in the special job with high activity, may probably lead to decrease in the risk of reflux.

Health and leisure of workers of day and night shifts / Salud y ocio de los trabajadores de los turnos de día y noche

OBJECTIVE: To analyze differences in health, leisure and work accord ing to work shift in industry workers of Florianopolis, Brazil. METHOD: participants were 885 workers on fixed work shift (649 of the gen eral shift, 101 of the 1st shift, 84 of the 2nd shift and 51 of the 3rd shift). Health was investigated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Horne-Ostberg morningness and eve ningness questionnaire for physical activity, sleep quality and chro- notype, respectively. Leisure activities were investigated based on the Scale of practices in leisure (Escala de Práticas no Lazer - EPL). To calculate difference between means, the Kruskall-Wallis test (Dunn or Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc) and the chi-square test were used. In the correlation analysis among continuous variables, the Spearman test was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0, BioEstat 5.0 and GPower 3.0 softwares. A 5% significance level was adopted. RESULTS: The average age of workers was 31.1 (8.5) years, and 58.0% were female. Significant differences among work shifts with respect to sleep quality (p<0.001) were identified, with prevalence of 35.6% of sleep disorders in the night shift. Among these, 16.7% showed morn ing characteristics and 68.6% reported absence from work for health reasons in the last year. The consumption of caffeinated beverages (33.3%) and cigarettes (21.6%) were also higher among night shift workers. Nevertheless, the time in vigorous physical activity was higher, averaging 75.5 minutes per week. Furthermore, night shift workers had lower income (p<0.001) and seek a second job for income complementation (p=0.002). Among issues related to leisure, differences in artistic (p=0.046), physical-sport (p=0.048) and touris tic content (p=0.004) were identified. CONCLUSION: substantial differ ences regarding labor, health and leisure issues were evidenced in different shifts, especially in the night shift. Although, theoretically, there is more time for leisure activities, night shift workers seek for a second job for income complementation. The excess of work associ ated with waking at night and risk behaviors result in damages to health and leisure.

OBJETIVO: analizar las diferencias en salud, ocio y trabajo según el turno de trabajo en trabajadores de la industria de Florianópolis, Brasil. MÉTODO: los participantes fueron 885 trabajadores en el turno de traba jo fijo (649 del turno general, 101 del primer turno, 84 del segundo turno y 51 del tercer turno). La salud se investigó utilizando el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física - Forma Corta (IPAQ-SF), el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh (PSQI) y el cuestionario de mañana y noche de Horne-Ostberg para actividad física, calidad del sueño y cronotipo, respectivamente. Las actividades de ocio se investi garon en función de la Escala de prácticas en el ocio (Escala de Práticas no Lazer - EPL). Para calcular la diferencia entre medias, se utilizó la prueba de Kruskall-Wallis (Dunn o Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc) y la prueba de chi-cuadrado. En el análisis de correlación entre variables continuas, se utilizó la prueba de Spearman. Los datos se analizaron utilizando los softwares SPSS 20.0, BioEstat 5.0 y GPower 3.0. Se adop tó un nivel de significancia del 5%. RESULTADOS: la edad promedio de los trabajadores fue de 31,1 (8,5) años, y el 58,0% fueron mujeres. Se identificaron diferencias significativas entre los turnos de trabajo con respecto a la calidad del sueño (p <0,001), con una prevalencia del 35,6% de los trastornos del sueño en el turno de la noche. Entre estos, el 16,7% mostró características matinal y el 68,6% informó ausencia del trabajo por razones de salud en el último año. El consumo de bebidas con cafeína (33,3%) y cigarrillos (21,6%) también fue mayor entre los trabajadores del turno nocturno. Sin embargo, el tiempo en la actividad física vigorosa fue mayor, con un promedio de 75,5 minutos por semana. Además, los trabajadores del turno de noche tenían ingresos más bajos (p <0,001) y buscaban un segundo trabajo para complementarlos (p = 0,002). Entre los temas relacionados con el ocio, se identificaron diferencias en el contenido artístico (p = 0,046), físico-deportivo (p = 0,048) y turístico (p = 0,004). CONCLUSIÓN: las diferencias sustanciales en cuanto a trabajo, salud y ocio se evidenciaron en diferentes turnos, especialmente en el turno de noche. Aunque, teóricamente, hay más tiempo para las actividades de ocio, los trabajadores del turno de noche buscan un segundo empleo para la complementación de ingresos. El exceso de trabajo asociado al despertarse por la noche y los comporta mientos de riesgo resultan en daños a la salud y al ocio.

Low back pain among taxi drivers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common occupational problem for drivers all over the world. However, few epidemiological studies have investigated LBP among taxi drivers. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of LBP and associated work-related factors among Chinese taxi drivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to all participants. Using cluster sampling, questionnaires were collected from taxi drivers of three major taxi companies in Jinan, China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) among participants. RESULTS: A total of 800 taxi drivers were invited to take part, with a participation rate of 90%. The 1-year period prevalence of LBP was 54%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that longer daily driving duration (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.9-5.9), night shifts (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.1) and increasing work years as a taxi driver (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5) were associated with increased risk of reporting LBP; while increased rest days per month (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7-0.9), longer sleep duration (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.9) and more physical activity (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8) were significantly associated with decreased risk of reporting LBP. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LBP among professional taxi drivers in China was associated with a number of occupational features.

Qualidade de Vida de Enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência com Dupla Jornada de Trabalho / Nurses' Life Quality of Mobile Urgency Service with Double Work Shift

Objetivou-se descrever a qualidade de vida de enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência com Dupla Jornada de Trabalho. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo realizado de julho a agosto de 2015 com enfermeiros do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência em Sobral ­ Ceará. Para coleta das informações foi usado o questionário validado Whoqol-Bref. Os dados foram apresentados, de forma descritiva, e discutidos de acordo com a literatura pertinente sobre o assunto. O estudo mostrou que quase a metade dos profissionais não está satisfeita com a qualidade de suas vidas. Contudo, no domínio físico, se mostraram bem fisicamente, no psicológico se mostraram positivos nos sentimentos negativos, quanto à ansiedade. Nas relações sociais, os enfermeiros estavam satisfeitos e no domínio do meio ambiente, eles demonstraram opiniões divididas entre satisfeitos e insatisfeitos e enfatizaram os riscos que estão sujeitos nas ocorrências. Portanto, o enfermeiro, em qualquer serviço em que atua, merece apoio, respeito e valorização, neste sentido é preciso políticas que promovam saúde, previnam doenças com vistas a melhor qualidade de vida. (AU)

The purpose of this study was to describe the nurses' life quality at the Double Emergency Mobile Service work shift. This is an exploratory and descriptive study carried out from July to August 2015 with nurses from the Mobile Emergency Care Service in Sobral - Ceará. To collect the information, the validated Whoqol-Bref questionnaire was used. The data were presented descriptively and discussed according to relevant literature on the subject. The study showed that nearly half of professionals are not satisfied with the their lives quality. However in the physical domain, they were physically well, in the psychological, they were positive regarding their feelings and negative when it comes to anxiety. In social relationships, nurses were satisfied and in the environmental domain, they demonstrated divided opinions between satisfied and unsatisfied and emphasized the risks that they are subject in the occurrences. Therefore, the nurse, in any service in which he / she works, deserves support, respect and appreciation, in this sense it is necessary policies that promote health, prevent diseases with a view to a better life quality. (AU)

Increased low back pain risk in nurses with high workload for patient care: A questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) increased in hospital nurses with high patient care workload. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the prevalence of LBP and its associated factors from 788 registered nurses from a medical center in Taiwan. RESULTS: Among all nurses with eligible questionnaires, 567 (72.0%) had LBP. Mean daily hours of working, standing, and walking were persistently longer in the LBP group. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that daily working for 1 hour longer is linked to a 35% (95% confidence interval (CI)=2-78%) greater risk of LBP. Compared with <2 years of service as nurse, nurses with 2-5 years of service had the highest risk (odds ratio (OR)=2.11, 95% CI=1.07-4.18). LBP risk was also higher for nurses with chore duty responsibilities (OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.12-3.53) and other back related disorders (OR=4.43, 95% CI=1.99-9.86). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that longer daily working hours and a large number of cared patients per shift should be discouraged in order to prevent musculoskeletal problems such as LBP in registered nurses.

The effect of work shift configurations on emergency medical dispatch center response.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proved that emergency medical dispatch centers (EMDC) save lives by promoting an appropriate allocation of emergency medical service resources. Indeed, optimal dispatcher call duration is pivotal to reduce the time gap between the time a call is placed and the delivery of medical care. However, little is known about the impact of work shift configurations (i.e., work shift duration and work shift rotation throughout the day) and dispatcher call duration. Thus, the objective of our study was to assess the effect of work shift configurations on dispatcher call duration. METHODS: During a 1-year study period, we analyzed the dispatcher call durations for medical and trauma calls during the 4 different work shift rotations (day, morning, evening, and night) and during the 10-hour work shift of each dispatcher in the EMDC of Nantes. We extracted dispatcher call durations from our advanced telephone system, configured with CC Pulse + (Genesys, Alcatel Lucent), and collected them in a custom designed database (Excel, Microsoft). Afterward, we analyzed these data using linear mixed effects models. RESULTS: During the study period, our EMDC received 408,077 calls. Globally, the mean dispatcher call duration was 107 ± 45 seconds. Based on multivariate linear mixed effects models, the dispatcher call duration was affected by night work shift and work shift duration greater than 8 hours, increasing it by about 10 ± 1 seconds and 4 ± 1 seconds, respectively (both p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there was a statistically significant difference in dispatcher call duration over work shift rotation and duration, with longer durations seen over night shifts and shifts over 8 hours. While these differences are small and may not have clinical significance, they may have implications for EMDC efficiency.

Estrés laboral en auxiliares de enfermería, Medellín-Colombia, 2011: Estrés laboral en auxiliares de enfermería / Job stress in nursing assistants, Medellín-Colombia, 2011

Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de estrés laboral en auxiliares de enfermería que trabajan en salas de hospitalización de adultos y las condiciones institucionales que lo configuran. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo de caso colectivo que parte de la determinación de características comunes o no entre los datos obtenidos de los casos individuales para su posterior análisis. Participaron seis casos: cinco mujeres y un hombre, auxiliares de enfermería con menos de 10 años de experiencia laboral en salas de hospitalización de adultos. Se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada y se aplicó el consentimiento informado. Resultados: Las condiciones que provocaron el estrés fueron la Jornada laboral con tiempos reales de 13 ó 14 horas seguidas, sin espacios para la alimentación y el descanso, y actividades adicionales que no se encuentran dentro de las funciones normatizadas pero que son delegadas por otros profesionales de la salud y que se vuelven una carga más para ellas, tales como el transporte de pacientes, apoyo durante transfusiones sanguíneas, limpieza del carro de medicamentos y el estar ahí dando cuidado permanente a los pacientes. Como aminorante del estrés aparecen las relaciones entre el equipo de trabajo. Conclusión: Se identifica la presencia del estrés laboral en las auxiliares de enfermería que trabajan en salas de hospitalización de adultos. Las condiciones descritas limitan el tiempo para el cuidado de los pacientes y el cuidado de sí mismas y alteran su condición física, psicológica y emocional, factores que se relacionan con el estrés laboral. Salud UIS 2013; 45 (1): 23-31.

Objective: To identify the presence of stress in nursing assistants working in adult hospital rooms and institutional conditions that shape it. Methodology: Qualitative study of collective case, it parts on the determination of common or not characteristics between obtained dates of individual cases for later analysis. Six participant cases composed by five female and one male nursing assistants with less than 10 years of experience in adults hospital rooms. A semi-structured interview and a informed consent was applied. Results: The conditions that mediate stress were the workday with times of 13 or 14 hours continues without spaces for eating and resting and additional activities which aren’t in theirs functions but are delegated by other health professionals that increase their workload, like a moving patients, supporting blood’s transfusions, medication cart cleansing, and giving permanently care to patients. The relationships among the team appear as buffering of stress. Conclusion: The presence of occupational stress in nursing assistants that work in adults hospital rooms was identified. The conditions described limits the time for patient care and self care and affects their physical, psychological and emotional conditions, factors related to job stress. Salud UIS 2013; 45 (1): 23-31.

Deterioration of neurobehavioral performance in resident physicians during repeated exposure to extended duration work shifts.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Although acute sleep loss during 24- to 30-h extended duration work shifts (EDWS) has been shown to impair the performance of resident physicians, little is known about the effects of cumulative sleep deficiency on performance during residency training. Chronic sleep restriction induces a gradual degradation of neurobehavioral performance and exacerbates the effects of acute sleep loss in the laboratory, yet the extent to which this occurs under real-world conditions is unknown. In this study, the authors quantify the time course of neurobehavioral deterioration due to repeated exposure to EDWS during a 3-week residency rotation. DESIGN: A prospective, repeated-measures, within-subject design. SETTING: Medical and cardiac intensive care units, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four postgraduate year one resident physicians (23 males; age 28.0 ± 1.83 (standard deviation) years) MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Residents working a 3-week Q3 schedule (24- to 30-h work shift starts every 3(rd) day), consisting of alternating 24- to 30-h (EDWS) and approximately 8-h shifts, underwent psychomotor vigilance testing before, during, and after each work shift. Mean response time, number of lapses, and slowest 10% of responses were calculated for each test. Residents also maintained daily sleep/wake/work logs. EDWS resulted in cumulative sleep deficiency over the 21-day rotation (6.3 h sleep obtained per day; average 2.3 h sleep obtained per extended shift). Response times deteriorated over a single 24- to 30-h shift (P < 0.0005), and also cumulatively with each successive EDWS: Performance on the fifth and sixth shift was significantly worse than on the first shift (P < 0.01). Controlling for time of day, there was a significant acute (time on shift) and chronic (successive EDWS) interaction on psychomotor vigilance testing response times (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic sleep deficiency caused progressive degradation in residents' neurobehavioral performance and exacerbated the effects of acute sleep loss inherent in the 24- to 30-h EDWS that are commonly used in resident schedules.

Occupational Stress and Related Factors among Aged Security Guards / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: Occupational stress is a determinant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and work disability. This study aims to describe occupational stress and identify its related factors among aged security guards. METHODS: A random sample of 76 aged security guards were interviewed by three research assistants. The criteria of the subjects were as follows : 50 or older male with 40 or more working hours a week working with colleagues ranged from 3 to 50. The data were collected in September, 2007 and analyzed by multiple regression using SAS Version 9.1. RESULTS: The mean score of occupational stress among aged security guards was 47.2. The mean scores of its sub-scales were 31.3(physical environment), 33.8(occupational demand), 80.8occupational control), 44.6(interpersonal conflict), 51.3 (occupational insecurity), 53.6(occupational system), 57.5(lack of reward), and 30.3(work environment). The scores of occupational control, interpersonal conflict, and occupational insecurity were higher than the scores of Korean average occupational stress sub-scales. Significant variables affecting occupational stress and its sub-scales were work place, work type, and employment type. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce occupational stress among security guards, sufficient occupational control and interpersonal conflict control, appropriate reward, and employment stability should be considered. Also long working hours and work shift should be improved.

Occupational Stress and Related Factors among Aged Security Guards / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: Occupational stress is a determinant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and work disability. This study aims to describe occupational stress and identify its related factors among aged security guards. METHODS: A random sample of 76 aged security guards were interviewed by three research assistants. The criteria of the subjects were as follows : 50 or older male with 40 or more working hours a week working with colleagues ranged from 3 to 50. The data were collected in September, 2007 and analyzed by multiple regression using SAS Version 9.1. RESULTS: The mean score of occupational stress among aged security guards was 47.2. The mean scores of its sub-scales were 31.3(physical environment), 33.8(occupational demand), 80.8occupational control), 44.6(interpersonal conflict), 51.3 (occupational insecurity), 53.6(occupational system), 57.5(lack of reward), and 30.3(work environment). The scores of occupational control, interpersonal conflict, and occupational insecurity were higher than the scores of Korean average occupational stress sub-scales. Significant variables affecting occupational stress and its sub-scales were work place, work type, and employment type. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce occupational stress among security guards, sufficient occupational control and interpersonal conflict control, appropriate reward, and employment stability should be considered. Also long working hours and work shift should be improved.