Sickness Absence and Hospitalization among Workers on Board Norwegian Fishing Vessels.

Background: All over the world, commercial fishing is known to be a hazardous occupation. Although several causal analyses of occupational accidents have been published in recent years, knowledge of the prevalence of sick leave, diagnosis and hospitalization among workers on board Norwegian fishing vessels is still sparse.Objective: The objective of this study is to provide new knowledge about the prevalence of doctor-certified sick leave among Norwegian fishers compared to an age- and gender-matched control population. A comparison of diagnoses and hospitalizations between these groups is also presented.Methods: A sample of fishers (n = 25,971) was selected by Statistics Norway (SSB), based on occupation as fishers in 2008-2013. An age- and gender-matched control population (n = 77,913) was also selected. Outpatient consultation and hospitalization data were received from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR).Results: Fishers have significantly lower rates of sick leave than the general working population as a whole, but a significantly higher rate sick leave than an age- and gender-matched control population. The most common cause of sick leave in both fishers and controls was musculoskeletal problems. Fishers had a higher number of hospital stays than the control group; the stays were more often unscheduled and lasted longer than those of the control group.Conclusion: The results emphasize the continued need for preventive occupational health strategies in the fishing industry.

Musculoskeletal symptoms among workers in the commercial fishing fleet of Norway.

BACKGROUND: Fishers exposed to unfavourable environmental conditions may suffer negative health ef- fects. This study aimed to identify musculoskeletal symptoms in professional fishers in Norway using data from several sources; register data, telephone survey and questionnaire. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Professional fishers (n = 25,971) registered in the period 2008-2013 were selected by Statistics Norway (SSB). An age- and gender-matched control population (n = 77,913) was also selected. Outpatient consultation and hospitalisation data were received from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR). To obtain information about self-reported symptoms, 832 registered fishers on board Norwegian fishing vessels were interviewed by telephone, and a questionnaire was distributed to the crews of 5 trawlers (n = 153). RESULTS: Data from NPR showed that fishers, compared to the control population, suffered significantly more acute incidents related to musculoskeletal disorders (5.4% vs. 4.8%, respectively), injuries to arms (11.3% vs. 9.8%), feet (8.4% vs. 8%), and back (0.9% vs. 0.7%). In the telephone survey, 61% and 43% reported that they performed monotonous work operations and heavy lifting often or very often, respec- tively. Thirty-three per cent had experienced pain in neck/shoulders/arms often or very often during the previous 12 months, and 93% believed this was fully or partly due to their work situation. The questionnaire among trawler crew members showed that 57% and 60% had experienced stiffness and/or pain in neck/ /shoulders and lower back/small of the back respectively during the previous 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Data from the register study, telephone survey and questionnaire all confirmed that musculo- skeletal problems are common among fishers and related to their work situation. However, 77% of the fishers in all vessel groups and on board the 5 trawlers reported their own health as being very good or good.

Work environment and health in the fishing fleet: results from a survey amongst Norwegian fishers.

BACKGROUND: Fishery is an important industry in Norway. Compared to other industries the number of occupational accidents is high. Fishers are exposed to a range of unfavourable working conditions, but there is limited research-based knowledge about the interaction between working conditions and health. The aim of the article is to study fishers' 1) work-related exposures and health complaints, 2) sickness absence, 3) subjective perception of health status and 3) level of job satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was gathered through a telephone survey. The survey included questions about exposure, health complaints, health status and job satisfaction. Methods for analysis were descriptive statistics and relative risk (RR). RESULTS: A total of 830 full-time fishers were interviewed. Coastal fishers are more exposed to factors such as climatic (RR = 1.546, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.311-1.823), ergonomic (RR = 1.539, 95% CI 1.293-1.833) and processing (RR = 2.119, 95% CI 1.847-2.431), compared to other groups of fishers. Coastal fishers are also more likely to experience musculoskeletal problems (RR = 1.623, 95% CI 1.139-2.314), sickness absence (RR = 1.337, 95% CI 1.081-1.655) and to perceive their own health as poor (RR = 2.155, 95% CI 1.119-4.152). Purse sein fishers are less exposed to climatic (RR = 0.777, 95% CI 0.633-0.953), ergonomic (RR = 0.617, 95% CI 0.487-0.783) and processing (RR = 0.292, 95% CI 0.221-0.385) factors and are less likely to experience sickness absence (RR = 0.635, 95% CI 0.479-0.840). In terms of job satisfaction, 99% if our respondents enjoy their work. CONCLUSIONS: Norwegian fishers have a high degree of job satisfaction and overall good health. Challenges regarding health complaints and exposures in the working environment were identified. This may be helpful for the industry, showing where measures should be implemented to prevent exposure, illness and sickness absence. Findings may also serve as a basis for future intervention studies aimed at promoting healthy working environments for fishers, especially how to improve vessels and develop user-friendly technology to reduce risk of injuries and strain.

Motives for initiation, temporary discontinuation, and permanent discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy use among Norwegian women.

OBJECTIVE: The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) declined strongly in many countries after publication of the WHI-study. The purpose of the present study was to investigate HRT usage patterns and motives for initiation, temporary discontinuation, and permanent discontinuation of HRT use among Norwegian women. METHODS: A questionnaire study about use and attitudes towards HRT was carried out in 2005. Women 45-64 years old were invited to the study (n=2325, response rate 47%). RESULTS: Women initiated HRT use mainly due to climacteric complaints (74%), while prophylactic motives were less frequently reported (27%). The most often reported benefits of HRT use were reduced climacterical symptoms, especially hot flushes/sweating (83%), and improved quality of life (59%). The major proportion of ever-users (57%) had at some point temporarily discontinued HRT use. The motive for temporary discontinuation of HRT use most frequently reported was to see if climacterical symptoms had ceased (58%). Permanent discontinuation of HRT use was most often motivated by anxiety to side effects (55%). In multivariable analyses, women using HRT prophylactically were less likely to temporarily discontinue use. Women with a positive attitude towards HRT were the most unlikely ones to permanently discontinue HRT use. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary discontinuation of HRT use was common among Norwegian women. The majority of HRT users reported a reduction in climacteric complaints after initiation of HRT use but many women were afraid of side effects.

Gambling behavior and gambling problems in Norway 2007.

In Norway, legalized gambling is pervasive, easily accessible and socially accepted, particularly the participation in national lotteries. We conducted a stratified probability sample study during January-March 2007 (age group 16-74 years, N = 3,482, response rate 36.1%) to assess gambling behavior and prevalence of problematic gambling by the NORC Diagnostic Screen (NODS). Overall, 67.9% of the study population had been engaged in past-year gambling and 0.7% were past-year problematic gamblers (NODS score 3+). Male gender, low educational level, single marital status, and being born in a non-Western country were variables positively associated with problematic gambling. Past-year problematic gamblers indicated the slot machine (34.6%) and Internet gambling (26.9%) as the most important games, while most non-problematic gamblers pointed out the lotteries (62.3%) as the most important game. The prevalence of self-reported sleeping disorders, depression and other psychological impairments was significantly higher among problematic gamblers. Gambling problems affect people's lives in multiple ways.

Internet addiction among Norwegian adults: a stratified probability sample study.

Most Norwegians are Internet users. We conducted a stratified probability sample study (Norway, 2007, age-group 16-74 years, N= 3,399, response rate 35.3%, 87.1% Internet users) to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction and at-risk Internet use by the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ). The prevalence of Internet addiction (YDQ score 5-8) was 1.0% and an additional 5.2% were at-risk Internet users (YDQ score 3-4). Internet addiction and at-risk Internet use was strongly dependent on gender and age with highest prevalences among young males (16-29 years 4.1% and 19.0%, 30-39 years 3.3% and 10.7%). Logistic regression showed that male gender, young age, university level education, and an unsatisfactory financial situation were factors positively associated with "problematic Internet use" (at-risk and addicted use combined). Time spent on the Internet and prevalence of self-reported sleeping disorders, depression, and other psychological impairments increased linearly with YDQ score. Problematic Internet use clearly affects the lives of many people.

Excessive computer game playing among Norwegian adults: self-reported consequences of playing and association with mental health problems.

Computer games are the most advanced form of gaming. For most people, the playing is an uncomplicated leisure activity; however, for a minority the gaming becomes excessive and is associated with negative consequences. The aim of the present study was to investigate computer game-playing behaviour in the general adult Norwegian population, and to explore mental health problems and self-reported consequences of playing. The survey includes 3,405 adults 16 to 74 years old (Norway 2007, response rate 35.3%). Overall, 65.5% of the respondents reported having ever played computer games (16-29 years, 93.9%; 30-39 years, 85.0%; 40-59 years, 56.2%; 60-74 years, 25.7%). Among 2,170 players, 89.8% reported playing less than 1 hr. as a daily average over the last month, 5.0% played 1-2 hr. daily, 3.1% played 2-4 hr. daily, and 2.2% reported playing > 4 hr. daily. The strongest risk factor for playing > 4 hr. daily was being an online player, followed by male gender, and single marital status. Reported negative consequences of computer game playing increased strongly with average daily playing time. Furthermore, prevalence of self-reported sleeping problems, depression, suicide ideations, anxiety, obsessions/ compulsions, and alcohol/substance abuse increased with increasing playing time. This study showed that adult populations should also be included in research on computer game-playing behaviour and its consequences.

Gambling problems in the family--a stratified probability sample study of prevalence and reported consequences.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies on the impact of problem gambling in the family mainly include help-seeking populations with small numbers of participants. The objective of the present stratified probability sample study was to explore the epidemiology of problem gambling in the family in the general population. METHODS: Men and women 16-74 years-old randomly selected from the Norwegian national population database received an invitation to participate in this postal questionnaire study. The response rate was 36.1% (3,483/9,638). Given the lack of validated criteria, two survey questions ("Have you ever noticed that a close relative spent more and more money on gambling?" and "Have you ever experienced that a close relative lied to you about how much he/she gambles?") were extrapolated from the Lie/Bet Screen for pathological gambling. Respondents answering "yes" to both questions were defined as Concerned Significant Others (CSOs). RESULTS: Overall, 2.0% of the study population was defined as CSOs. Young age, female gender, and divorced marital status were factors positively associated with being a CSO. CSOs often reported to have experienced conflicts in the family related to gambling, worsening of the family's financial situation, and impaired mental and physical health. CONCLUSION: Problematic gambling behaviour not only affects the gambling individual but also has a strong impact on the quality of life of family members.

Interferon-gamma regulates cathepsin G activity in microglia-derived lysosomes and controls the proteolytic processing of myelin basic protein in vitro.

The serine protease cathepsin (Cat) G dominates the proteolytic processing of the multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated autoantigen myelin basic protein (MBP) in lysosomes from primary human B cells and dendritic cells. This is in contrast to B-lymphoblastoid cell lines, where the asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is responsible for this task. We have analysed microglia-derived lysosomal proteases for their ability to process MBP in vitro. In lysosomes derived from primary murine microglia, CatD, CatS, AEP and CatG were involved in the processing of MBP. Interestingly, when microglia were treated with interferon-gamma to mimic a T helper type 1-biased cytokine milieu in MS, CatG was drastically down-regulated, in contrast to CatS, CatB, CatL, CatD or AEP. This resulted in significantly increased stability of MBP and a selective lack of CatG-derived proteolytic fragments; however, it did not affect the gross pattern of MBP processing. Inhibition of serine proteases eliminated the processing differences between lysosomal extracts from resting microglia compared to interferon-stimulated microglia. Thus, the cytokine environment modulates lysosomal proteases in microglia by a selective down-regulation of CatG, leading to decreased MBP-processing by microglia-derived lysosomal proteases in vitro.

[Little knowledge about human papillomavirus among young Norwegian women]. / Lite kunnskap om humant papillomvirus blant unge norske kvinner.

BACKGROUND: Little is documented about Norwegian women's knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV). The purpose of this study was to investigate young Norwegian women's knowledge of HPV transmission and diseases associated with the virus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From September 1998 to December 2000, 898 women aged 16 - 24 years were recruited to a study on the natural course of HPV-infections. At the beginning of the study, 323 participants at 8 of the 16 selected health centres answered a questionnaire regarding motivation for and openness about study participation, and knowledge about transmission and diseases associated with the virus. Data were analysed with Chi-quadrate test and logistic regression in SPSS. RESULTS: Only 20 % (63/323) of the women had heard about HPV before they were enrolled in the study. 15 % (49/323) answered questions about causal relationships between HPV, cervical cancer and genital warts correctly. No correlations were found between HPV knowledge and age, sexual behaviour, or previous testing/history of chlamydia infection. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about viral transmission and diseases associated with HPV is low among young Norwegian women.

A comparative study of immunomagnetic methods used for separation of human natural killer cells from peripheral blood.

Immunomagnetic sorting of natural killer (NK) cells from the peripheral blood of healthy donors has been evaluated in a comparative study of composition, yield and activation of target cells obtained by positive (Dynabeads, Microbeads) and negative (Microbeads) sorting procedures. Positively sorted target cells were selected by expression of the NK cell marker CD56, whereas NK cells obtained by negative sorting were those remaining after steps to remove all non-NK cell leukocyte populations were accomplished. In positive sorting, both CD56+CD3- NK cells and CD56+CD3+ natural killer T (NKT) cells were included. The NKT cell fraction differed between individuals, but not between the positive sorting methods. Whereas 20-30% of positively sorted target cells were NKT cells, only approximately 3% of negatively sorted cells were CD3+. Contamination with monocytes and B cells was low (1-3%) in all methods studied. Sorting with Microbeads (both positive and negative) gave higher cell yields than those obtained with Dynabeads (14% vs. 5% of total leukocyte numbers). A higher CD56 fluorescence intensity of NK cells and a better discrimination between the CD56bright and CD56dim NK cell subpopulations was obtained after negative sorting. Dynabeads-separated cells had, shortly after separation, a significantly higher expression (approximately 30%) of the early activation marker CD69 than cells either positively or negatively separated by Microbeads (approximately 8%). CD56+ cells positively sorted by Microbeads demonstrated a significantly higher production of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma after IL-2 stimulation than Dynabeads-sorted cells. However, the cytotoxicity of cells obtained by the two positive sorting procedures did not differ. In conclusion, positive selection of CD56+ cells by Microbeads is better than Dynabeads, as determined from cell yield and procedure-associated cell activation and should be chosen for in vitro studies of NK/NKT cells. However, when pure NK cells and phenotypic subtypes are to be studied, negative sorting seems most appropriate.

Production of neuroprotective NGF in astrocyte-T helper cell cocultures is upregulated following antigen recognition.

Astrocytic production of nerve growth factor (NGF) is increased during inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS). Here we show that cell-cell interaction between primary murine astrocytes and myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic Th1 and Th2 cells significantly increased production of NGF. This upregulation was found to be dependent on antigen recognition. Neutralization of cytokines produced in cocultures did not affect NGF production. This novel finding suggests a neuroprotective role of astrocytes during T cell-mediated inflammation in the CNS.

Astrocytes protect the CNS: antigen-specific T helper cell responses are inhibited by astrocyte-induced upregulation of CTLA-4 (CD152).

Astrocytes are the first cells that are encountered by T cells invading the central nervous system (CNS) by crossing the blood-brain barrier. We show that primary astrocytes contribute to the immune privilege of the CNS by suppressing Th1 and Th2 cell activation, proliferation and effector function. Moreover, this astrocyte-mediated inhibition of Th effector cells was effective on already activated, proliferating cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta secreted by astrocytes or T cells was not the major factor in the inhibition. The inhibition of T-cell proliferation induced by astrocytes was mainly mediated by upregulation of CTLA-4 on already activated T cells, which occurred both with and without cell-cell contact. Upregulation of the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 on autoreactive Th cells, as mediated by astrocytes, thus represents a novel mechanism for securing the immune privilege of the CNS.