The Burnout Syndrome among Women Working in the Retail Network in Associations with Psychosocial Work Environment Factors.

The burnout syndrome is a significant occupational health problem in various employees' populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate burnout level among retail network workers and its associations with psychosocial work environment. The cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted on workers of one Lithuanian retail network (n = 254), where all respondents were women. In order to assess their occupational stress and burnout, two instruments were used: HSE management standards work-related stress indicator tool and Copenhagen burnout inventory (CBI). The statistical analysis showed high prevalence of burnout-the frequency of personal, work-related and client-related burnout was 53.5%, 66.5% and 55.5% respectively. The Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that job demands, control manager's support, coworkers' support and relationships significantly associated with all burnout subscales. The multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent associations between HSE indicators and burnout subscales. The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that job demands and manager's support were significant factors for all burnout dimensions. In conclusion, in order to reduce occupational burnout among employees working in retail companies, it would be useful for occupational interventions to focus on workload reduction and optimization, and for the human resources management strategy to focus on maintaining this.

Associations between neck musculoskeletal complaints and work related factors among public service computer workers in Kaunas.

OBJECTIVES: Information technologies have been developing very rapidly, also in the case of occupational activities. Epidemiological studies have shown that employees, who work with computers, are more likely to complain of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between neck MSD and individual and work related factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation which consisted of two parts - a questionnaire study (using Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) and a direct observation (to evaluate ergonomic work environment using RULA method) was carried out in three randomly selected public sector companies of Kaunas. The study population consisted of 513 public service office workers. RESULTS: The survey showed that neck MSDs were very common in the investigated population. The prevalence rate amounted to 65.7%. According to our survey neck MSDs were significantly associated with older age, bigger work experience, high quantitative and cognitive job demands, working for longer than 2 h without taking a break as well as with higher ergonomic risk score. The fully adjusted model working for longer than 2 h without taking a break had the strongest associations with neck complaints. CONCLUSION: It was confirmed, that neck MSDs were significantly associated with individual factors as well as conditions of work, therefore, preventive actions against neck complaints should be oriented at psychosocial and ergonomic work environment as well as at individual factors.

Trends in the incidence of occupational diseases in Lithuania between 1999 and 2008.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the trends in the incidence of occupational diseases in Lithuania during the period of 1999-2008. The analysis concerned both the individuals with diagnosed disease(s) and the number of diagnosed cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Incidence rates were calculated using data from the Republic of Lithuania National Register of Occupational Diseases and data on the employed population provided by the government Department of Statistics. The rates were age-standardized using the direct standardization method. The changes in the incidence rates throughout the study period were analyzed using segmented regression calculated with the JOINPOINT (v. 3.3.1) statistical software. We determined joinpoints in the dynamic lines of the incidence rates and calculated mean annual absolute change and mean annual relative (percentage) change for each period. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: During the study period, the number of occupational diseases was, on average, 1.5 times as high as the number of individuals diagnosed with such diseases. Joinpoint positions in the dynamic lines of the incidence rates coincided for individuals with occupational diseases and for the cases of occupational diseases. The incidence was found to slightly increase during the period of 1999-2003, then to rise more rapidly during that of 2003-2006, and to decrease from 2006 to 2008.

Association between occupational asthenopia and psycho-physiological indicators of visual strain in workers using video display terminals.

BACKGROUND: There is a body of scientific literature examining functional changes in vision due to video display terminals (VDTs). The aim of our study was to determine the relationship of functional visual strain and symptoms of asthenopia and to evaluate the association between subjective and objective indicators of visual strain. MATERIAL/METHODS: Four hundred four office workers with and without involvement in VDT work were included in the study. To evaluate visual strain we used a questionnaire for subjective complaints, evaluated the main ophthalmologic indicators, and measured psycho-physiological indicators. RESULTS: The questionnaire data showed that 88.5% of the VDT workers complained of various vision disorders. VDT workers who complained of worsened vision, redness of the eyes, eye pain, and diplopia during work were found to show more significant changes in the psycho-physiological indicators objectively reflecting strain of the vision analyzer. In the group of people with symptoms of asthenopia, the differences in the indicators of visual sensomotoric reaction, constancy of clear vision, and changes in the periods of clear and unclear vision were statistically reliably greater than in people without symptoms of visual strain. CONCLUSIONS: The subjective perception of visual strain related to VDT work was confirmed by ophthalmologic and psycho-physiological measurements. Changes in ocular and psycho-physiological function before and at the end of the workday are a good objective index of visual and central nervous system strain.

Occupational skin diseases in nurses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the work was to evaluate the incidence of occupational skin diseases in nurses, their morbidity rate, symptoms, possible causes and relation with occupational environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 706 nurses of different hospital departments. A questionnaire and collection of information about the use of disinfectants were the main investigation methods. RESULTS: It was revealed that 47.3% nurses were suffering from occupational skin diseases. Allergic contact dermatitis was found to be the most frequent (28.5%) disease. Irritant contact dermatitis of non-allergic origin was diagnosed in 8.4% of nurses. The main symptoms of occupational skin diseases were itching and reddening. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing occupational dermatitis was increased by working with aldehydes and hydrogen peroxide as well as by using latex gloves and long working hours.

Occupational health care system and its effectiveness in Lithuania.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Care carries out the activities aimed at solving occupational health and safety problems in Lithuania. Occupational health care system in Lithuania consists of three levels: 1) primary occupational health centers in the industry; 2) general practitioners taking care of employees' health; and 3) the State Labor Inspectorate. The second level includes regional occupational medicine centers that are located in the three major cities of Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda. Hygiene investigations of workplaces and prophylaxis of occupational diseases are performed by regional Public Health Center Departments of Occupational Medicine. The third level is provided by the Lithuanian Center of Occupational Medicine in Vilnius and the State Commission of Medical and Social Examination. The complicated cases of occupational diseases are treated in specialized departments of the University clinics. The real situation of work safety is not good. About 600 cases of occupational diseases and over 2500 accidents, including 60 fatal causalities are registered annually.