Search

Background: The study aimed to explore which sociodemographic, health-related, and work-related factors were associated with the number of sickness absence days during 18 months among employees on sickness absence due to common mental disorders. Methods: A longitudinal study with participants from a cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants from both intervention and control groups were treated as one cohort. Factors included in the analysis were sociodemographic, health-related, and work-related variables collected through questionnaires at baseline. The outcome was cumulative net sickness absence days for sickness absence spells exceeding 14 days and was collected from a national register. Data was analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Results: The sample consisted of 197 employees. Lower-rated work ability in relation to physical demands ([exp (B) 1.19], 95% CI 1.02–1.40) and higher-rated job demands ([exp (B) 1.28], 95% CI 1.01–1.61), were associated with increased number of sickness absence days during the 18 months follow-up. Higher certainty of return to work within three months ([exp (B) 0.63], 95% CI 0.48–0.83) was associated with a decreased number of sickness absence days during the 18 months follow-up. Conclusions: Our study suggests that work-related factors, i.e., high job demands and impaired work ability, are associated with an increased number of days on sickness absence. Additionally, the certainty of returning to work within three months is associated with fewer days on sickness absence. The results highlight the importance of addressing specific workplace factors when designing interventions aimed at decreasing sickness absence for employees on sickness absence due to CMDs. The results could be used to inform a dialogue between healthcare personnel and employees on sickness absence due to CMDs, and to serve as basis for a structured inventory to assist healthcare personnel in addressing workplace factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous research indicates that women report more psychosomatic complaints at work compared to men. However, there is a lack of research examining this gender gap across different occupational subgroups and over time. Methods: The study utilized data from the nationwide German Employment Survey of the Working Population on Qualification and Working Conditions conducted in 2005/2006, 2011/2012, and 2017/ 2018. First, gender differences in psychosomatic complaints were analysed within the occupational subgroups categorized as white-collar high-skilled, white-collar low-skilled, blue-collar high-skilled and blue-collar low-skilled workers. Second, gender stratified time trends of psychosomatic complaints were analysed. A total of 58,759 participants were included in the analysis. Results: Women consistently reported significantly higher levels of psychosomatic complaints compared to men across all years examined. The largest differences were observed in white-collar high-skilled occupations. From 2005/2006 to 2011/2012, gender differences increased; from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018, they stagnated. Conclusions: The study revealed that women experience more psychosomatic distress at work than men in all occupational subgroups and time points. White-collar high-skilled workers showed the highest gender gap in psychosomatic complaints. The gender gap widened from 2005/2006 to 2011/2012 and remained stable from 2011/2012 to 2017/2018. Future research should investigate the reasons and implications of this phenomenon, especially considering the increasing proportion of high-skilled white-collar workers, where the gender gap is most evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have advocated the benefits of resilience-based interventions for creating a healthy and sustainable workforce. However, resilience is defined and measured in diverse ways. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is (1) to identify how resilience is defined within different workplace interventions, translated into intervention content, and measured in these interventions; and (2) to synthesize the effectiveness of these interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted and included articles from 2013 – 2023. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, covering a total of 26 unique interventions. Definitions were categorized as: resilience as a trait, process, or outcome. Cohen's D was calculated to depict the effect sizes within the intervention groups from pre-test to post-test and, when possible, from pre-test to 3-month follow-up. Results: Included studies applied a wide range of definitions; most definitions fitted within the trait-orientation, conceptualizing resilience as an individual characteristic or ability, or the process-orientation, conceptualizing resilience as a dynamic process. No studies solely used the outcome-orientation, but some did combine elements of all three orientations. Various definitions, measures and intervention strategies were applied, however, almost half of the studies (46%) showed inconsistencies within these choices. Furthermore, findings show that most resilience-based interventions in the workplace have a positive impact. While educational workshops with a higher frequency and duration had medium to large effects, solely digital interventions had small effects, changing to small to medium when combined with non-digital elements. Conclusions: Findings suggest that resilience-based can benefit employees by enhancing their psychological well-being. This, in turn, can lead to improved work-related outcomes such as productivity, thereby offering advantages to employers as well. This underscores the growing recognition that resilience should be viewed as a shared responsibility between the individual and the organization. Further advancement in the field of resilience-based interventions in the workplace calls for future research to focus on maintaining consistency when choosing a definition of resilience, developing intervention content, and choosing an outcome measure. Preregistration: The search protocol was preregistered in the Open Science Framework, see Hollaar et al. (2023). https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UKYF7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, information and circumstances changed from moment to moment, including the accumulation of scientific knowledge, the emergence of variants, social tolerance, and government policy. Therefore, it was important to adapt workplace countermeasures punctually and flexibly based on scientific evidence and according to circumstances. However, there has been no assessment of changes in workplace countermeasures. With a view toward preparedness for future pandemics, we surveyed COVID-19 workplace countermeasures that occupational physicians considered as needing to be changed but went unchanged. Methods: We invited 685 professional occupational physicians certified by Japan Society for Occupational Health to complete an online questionnaire by sending postcards with QR codes. The main questions concerned countermeasures that the participants wanted to change but could not. The survey period was from February 21 to April 28, 2022. The responses were analyzed using the KJ method. Results: Of the 168 invitees (24.5%) who responded to the survey, 125 reported countermeasures that needed to be changed (total count: 254). The responses were categorized into basic systems, occupational health services, workplace countermeasures, vaccines, and incidents, with a code count of 7, 8,147, 10, and 82, respectively. The type of countermeasure was 115 for countermeasures to be strengthened (CBS), 110 for measures to be mitigated (CBM), and 29 for neither. Conclusions: Often-mentioned CBS were increased teleworking, strengthened ventilation, smoking cessation, and promotion of vaccines. Often-mentioned CBM were relaxation of protective equipment rules, discontinued environmental disinfection, and shorted isolation and reinstatement. In the early pandemic phases, CBSs were frequently mentioned, whereas CBMs were featured more prominently in the latter phases. The survey revealed countermeasures that occupational physicians thought needed to be changed but were not changed in practice. For future responses to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, it will be necessary to establish rules compatible with flexible modification of workplace countermeasures in response to changing circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disability insurance represents a significant economic burden within Brazil's social security system, yet long-term cost trends across disease groups remain understudied, hindering informed prevention and management strategies. Hospital costs, which account for approximately 40% of direct healthcare expenses, were selected as a comparative reference to contextualize the economic burden of disability insurance. Objective: This study analyzes long-term cost trends of newly granted disability insurance by disease groups in Brazil, comparing them to public health system hospitalization expenses. Method: This ecological time series study applied the inflection point regression model and Annual Average Percentage Change (AAPC) analysis, utilizing open-access federal government datasets. Annual rates and costs of disability insurance and hospitalizations were examined, categorized by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) groups, and standardized per insured individuals and the general population. Results: Between 2010 and 2019, the rate of temporary disability insurance granted (406 per 10,000 insureds) was 94% higher than permanent disability insurance (24 per 10,000), with women showing slightly higher rates but men incurring higher costs. The overall annual average rate of granted disability insurance (430 per 10,000 insureds) and its costs (BRL 5,084 per 100 insureds) were lower than those of hospitalizations (525 per 10,000 and BRL 5,870 per 100 Brazilians, respectively). Disabilities due to injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health problems had the highest rates (126, 89, and 40 per 10,000 insureds, respectively) and costs (BRL 1,455, 1,076, and 533 per 100 insureds, respectively). Neoplasms showed the only increasing trend in granted rates (AAPC 2.5%). The cost growth of granted disability insurance (AAPC 6.2%) was twice that of hospitalization costs (AAPC 2.9%), with disability insurance costs surpassing hospitalization expenses by 2018. Although most disease groups exhibited stable or declining trends in granted rates, costs increased across nearly all conditions. Conclusion: The rising costs of disability insurance in Brazil highlight the growing economic burden of non-medical expenses and the need for evidence-based policies focused on prevention, management, and the sustainability of the social security system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Workplace health promotion is essential for individual and organisational well-being and disease prevention, also in industrial workers. As the transfer of the evidence on the effectiveness of such programs into practice is limited due to scattered effects, the need for a consolidation of the available studies is given. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesise the evidence on the effectiveness of workplace health promotion programs for industrial workers. Methods An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science™, Scopus, and EBSCOHost until July 26th 2023. Studies investigated industrial workers who performed manual labour for at least 20 h per week were included. They had to receive a workplace health promotion intervention under any control condition. Outcomes were workplace health interventions’ safety and corresponding health-related outcomes. The revised Cochrane risk-of-bias assessed the risk of bias (Rob 2) tool for randomised control trials (RCT) and cluster RCT. Quality assessment was performed using a modified Downs and Black Checklist. Results Of the 25,555 studies initially identified, 39 were included. Generally, the mean quality of the studies was moderate, with most studies judged with a high overall risk of bias. Twenty-seven studies employed a behavioural approach, while one study adopted an organisational one. Ten studies utilised a multicomponent approach, and one intervention improved safety outcomes. The analysis of the results indicated an overall positive but heterogeneous effect across the different approaches. Conclusions The studies included in this review provide evidence that workplace health promotion can be effective. However, the overall findings are inconclusive due to the high risk of bias. Therefore, the results should be interpreted cautiously. Despite the considerable amount of research conducted in this field, additional well-designed studies are needed to fully confirm the effectiveness and determine the most promising types of interventions for improving and maintaining industrial health.

Abstract Background To protect the safety and health of workers, national legislations often stipulate an upper limit to weekly working time. The purpose of the present study was to provide information that may facilitate the obtainment of evidence-based limits to weekly working time. Objective To estimate incidence rate ratios (RRs) of (i) hospital treatment or death due to accidental injuries, (ii) redeemed prescriptions for psychotropic drugs and (iii) redeemed prescriptions for antihypertensive drugs, respectively, as continuous functions of weekly working hours among employees in the general population of Denmark. Methods Baseline data on working time arrangements were obtained from the Danish Labor Force Surveys of 1999–2013. Follow-ups with a mean duration of 1.8, 4.0 and 6.6 years for accidental injuries, psychotropic drugs and antihypertensive drugs, respectively, were accomplished through national registers. Adjusted RRs were obtained through Poisson regression in the interval 32–80 weekly working hours (wwh). The reference (standard working hours) was set at 37 wwh. RR estimates were interpreted in accordance with a modified version of Monson’s guide to strength of associations, in which a RR in the open interval 0.83 to 1.2 is classified as ‘no association’ (too weak to be detected by observational studies). Results The estimated RRs as well as the upper and lower limits of their 95% confidence intervals lied within the no-association zone throughout the intervals 32–76, 32–64 and 32–69 wwh, for accidental injury, psychotropic drug use and antihypertensive drug use, respectively. The estimated RRs for psychotropic drug use decreased from 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03–1.13) at 32 wwh to 0.96 (0.93–0.99) at 45 wwh. They thereafter increased to 1.00 (0.95–1.06) at 55 wwh and 1.31 (1.08–1.63) at 80 wwh. The estimated RRs for accidental injury and antihypertensive drug use increased slowly from 1.00 at 37 wwh to 1.04 (0.88–1.24) and 1.11 (0.94–1.31), respectively, at 80 wwh. Conclusion These results suggest that, from a societal perspective, the effect of wwh on the rates of these types of morbidity is negligible throughout the interval 32–64 wwh.

Abstract Background Identifying problem drinking patterns across industries is essential for addressing drinking problems in the workforce. Still, it is not well understood how problem drinking differs across industries and whether it is associated with industry gender composition. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of problem drinking (PPD) across Swedish industries and investigate possible associations between gender-typed industries and problem drinking. Methods 9,155 current workers were selected from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) data collected in 2020. Participants’ work industries were identified through the Swedish Standard Industrial Classification (SNI) codes. Seven gender-typed industry categories were created based on gender composition and main job activity in each industry. Self-reported problem drinking was measured using a slightly modified Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and a cut-off score 2 was used to determine problem drinking. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to investigate the association between gender-typed industries and problem drinking. Results PPD in the workforce was 6.6%. Men (8.5%) had a higher prevalence than women (5.3%). Across industries, PPD varied from 2.3% in Water supply and waste management to 15.4% in Mining and quarrying. The highest prevalence for men was in Mining and quarrying (18.2%), whereas for women it was in Construction (11.1%). Within gender-typed industries, the highest PPD was in male-dominated Goods and Energy Production (7.7%), and the lowest was in female-dominated Health and Social Care (4.7%). In the regression analysis, both Education (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.03) and Labour-intensive Services (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.02) had higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) compared with Health and Social Care. However, there was no significant difference in aPR among gender-typed industries when considering the gender composition of industries only. Conclusions PPD in the Swedish workforce varied significantly across industries, with differences observed between men and women. Problem drinking differed between industries when categorized by gender composition and main job activity, but not when categorized by gender composition only. Future research should investigate how industry-specific psychosocial factors influence individual alcohol consumption.

Abstract Background Female police officers are reported to encounter more bias, discriminatory practices, and inadequate support than their male counterparts and experience poorer health outcomes. This meta-ethnographic review looks beyond individual responsibilities to consider which aspects of policing impact the health and well-being of female police officers. Methods Primary qualitative and mixed method studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. ProQuest (all databases) and Ovid (Medline and Embase) were searched using terms related to health, wellbeing, females, police, and qualitative research. This was a cross-jurisdictional review, with no limit on country of study. In total, twenty-one papers met the inclusion criteria. A seven-phase inductive and interpretative meta-ethnographic technique was employed to synthesise, analyse, and interpret the data. Results The data analysis revealed a distinct outcome that demonstrated a strong relationship and substantial impacts of organisational injustice on the health and well-being of female police officers. Our findings showed that organisational injustice, encompassing procedural, relational, distributive, and gendered injustice, significantly influences the health and well-being of female officers. Impacts on mental health were commonly discussed, followed by aspects influencing social health, workplace wellbeing, and physical health. Moreover, the effects of these four forms of organisational injustice and the associated cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors extend beyond the immediate health and wellbeing impacts on the individual female officer through impeding other aspects of their work life, such as career progression and work-life balance, that can further impact long-term health and well-being. Conclusion This review highlights the importance of addressing organisational injustice and the cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors within policing to promote healthier and more inclusive workforces for female officers. Policymakers and practitioners should critically examine policies and practices that may appear gender neutral but disproportionately impact women, affecting the health and well-being of female police officers. By addressing these issues, transformative action can be taken to create safer, more supportive, and healthier working environments for female police officers.

Background: To protect the safety and health of workers, national legislations often stipulate an upper limit to weekly working time. The purpose of the present study was to provide information that may facilitate the obtainment of evidence-based limits to weekly working time. Objective: To estimate incidence rate ratios (RRs) of (i) hospital treatment or death due to accidental injuries, (ii) redeemed prescriptions for psychotropic drugs and (iii) redeemed prescriptions for antihypertensive drugs, respectively, as continuous functions of weekly working hours among employees in the general population of Denmark. Methods: Baseline data on working time arrangements were obtained from the Danish Labor Force Surveys of 1999–2013. Follow-ups with a mean duration of 1.8, 4.0 and 6.6 years for accidental injuries, psychotropic drugs and antihypertensive drugs, respectively, were accomplished through national registers. Adjusted RRs were obtained through Poisson regression in the interval 32–80 weekly working hours (wwh). The reference (standard working hours) was set at 37 wwh. RR estimates were interpreted in accordance with a modified version of Monson's guide to strength of associations, in which a RR in the open interval 0.83 to 1.2 is classified as 'no association' (too weak to be detected by observational studies). Results: The estimated RRs as well as the upper and lower limits of their 95% confidence intervals lied within the no-association zone throughout the intervals 32–76, 32–64 and 32–69 wwh, for accidental injury, psychotropic drug use and antihypertensive drug use, respectively. The estimated RRs for psychotropic drug use decreased from 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03–1.13) at 32 wwh to 0.96 (0.93–0.99) at 45 wwh. They thereafter increased to 1.00 (0.95–1.06) at 55 wwh and 1.31 (1.08–1.63) at 80 wwh. The estimated RRs for accidental injury and antihypertensive drug use increased slowly from 1.00 at 37 wwh to 1.04 (0.88–1.24) and 1.11 (0.94–1.31), respectively, at 80 wwh. Conclusion: These results suggest that, from a societal perspective, the effect of wwh on the rates of these types of morbidity is negligible throughout the interval 32–64 wwh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying problem drinking patterns across industries is essential for addressing drinking problems in the workforce. Still, it is not well understood how problem drinking differs across industries and whether it is associated with industry gender composition. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of problem drinking (PPD) across Swedish industries and investigate possible associations between gender-typed industries and problem drinking. Methods: 9,155 current workers were selected from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) data collected in 2020. Participants' work industries were identified through the Swedish Standard Industrial Classification (SNI) codes. Seven gender-typed industry categories were created based on gender composition and main job activity in each industry. Self-reported problem drinking was measured using a slightly modified Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilt, Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and a cut-off score 2 was used to determine problem drinking. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to investigate the association between gender-typed industries and problem drinking. Results: PPD in the workforce was 6.6%. Men (8.5%) had a higher prevalence than women (5.3%). Across industries, PPD varied from 2.3% in Water supply and waste management to 15.4% in Mining and quarrying. The highest prevalence for men was in Mining and quarrying (18.2%), whereas for women it was in Construction (11.1%). Within gender-typed industries, the highest PPD was in male-dominated Goods and Energy Production (7.7%), and the lowest was in female-dominated Health and Social Care (4.7%). In the regression analysis, both Education (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.03) and Labour-intensive Services (aPR: 1.39, p = 0.02) had higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) compared with Health and Social Care. However, there was no significant difference in aPR among gender-typed industries when considering the gender composition of industries only. Conclusions: PPD in the Swedish workforce varied significantly across industries, with differences observed between men and women. Problem drinking differed between industries when categorized by gender composition and main job activity, but not when categorized by gender composition only. Future research should investigate how industry-specific psychosocial factors influence individual alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Female police officers are reported to encounter more bias, discriminatory practices, and inadequate support than their male counterparts and experience poorer health outcomes. This meta-ethnographic review looks beyond individual responsibilities to consider which aspects of policing impact the health and well-being of female police officers. Methods: Primary qualitative and mixed method studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. ProQuest (all databases) and Ovid (Medline and Embase) were searched using terms related to health, wellbeing, females, police, and qualitative research. This was a cross-jurisdictional review, with no limit on country of study. In total, twenty-one papers met the inclusion criteria. A seven-phase inductive and interpretative meta-ethnographic technique was employed to synthesise, analyse, and interpret the data. Results: The data analysis revealed a distinct outcome that demonstrated a strong relationship and substantial impacts of organisational injustice on the health and well-being of female police officers. Our findings showed that organisational injustice, encompassing procedural, relational, distributive, and gendered injustice, significantly influences the health and well-being of female officers. Impacts on mental health were commonly discussed, followed by aspects influencing social health, workplace wellbeing, and physical health. Moreover, the effects of these four forms of organisational injustice and the associated cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors extend beyond the immediate health and wellbeing impacts on the individual female officer through impeding other aspects of their work life, such as career progression and work-life balance, that can further impact long-term health and well-being. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of addressing organisational injustice and the cultural, systemic, and structural risk factors within policing to promote healthier and more inclusive workforces for female officers. Policymakers and practitioners should critically examine policies and practices that may appear gender neutral but disproportionately impact women, affecting the health and well-being of female police officers. By addressing these issues, transformative action can be taken to create safer, more supportive, and healthier working environments for female police officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working during the night interferes with the timing of normal daily activities and is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases. Under controlled experimental conditions, interventions focusing on sleep and nutrition can mitigate the short-term adverse effects of shift work. However, it is unclear how these results translate to real-life, how they can be targeted to individual conditions, and how they relate to long-term health. Therefore, the current study aims to implement a personalized sleep and nutritional intervention among night shift workers in the field. Methods: A non-blinded controlled intervention study is used, consisting of a run-in period, an intervention of 3 months, post-intervention measurements, and a follow-up after 12 months. Three study arms are included: sleep intervention, nutritional intervention, and control group (n = 25 each). Participants are healthy 18–60-year male night shift workers, with at least one year of experience in night shift work. Information from the run-in period will be used to personalize the interventions. The main outcomes are sleep measurements and continuous interstitial glucose levels. Furthermore, general health biomarkers and parameters will be determined to further evaluate effects on long-term health. Discussion: This study aims to mitigate negative health consequences associated with night shift work by introducing two personalized preventive interventions. If proven effective, the personalized interventions may serve as practical solutions that can have a meaningful impact on the sustainable health and employability of night shift workers. This study will thereby contribute to the current need for high–quality data on preventative strategies for night shift work in a real-life context. Trial registration: This trial has been registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06147089. Registered 27 November 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Too much sedentary behavior (SB) and too little physical activity (PA) place adult workers at risk for chronic illness. It remains unclear which occupations and subgroups within occupations have the highest and lowest SB and PA, and little is known about the effects of organizational factors on these behaviors and metrics. Thus, our main aims were to review and summarize evidence describing daily SB and PA collected using accelerometry across various occupations and to identify organizational factors influencing SB and PA. Methods A literature search of six databases was performed for relevant studies published through March 2023. Eligible studies were in English, targeted working populations, had a sample size > 75, and objectively measured both SB and PA for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. Following PRISMA guidelines, 5,197 studies were identified, and 19 articles met our inclusion criteria. Five of these studies were included in a meta-analysis comparing time spent in SB, light PA (LPA), and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) across occupations. Methodological quality was assessed using a Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Results We found that 63% of the studies reported daily time spent in SB and in MVPA, but fewer reported LPA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA. The average time spent in SB was 553.34 min/day, in LPA was 299.77 min/day, and in MVPA was 33.87 min/day. In occupational subgroup analysis, we observed that office workers had 2.3 h more SB, 2.4 less hours LPA, and 14 min less MVPA per day than nurses. However, most studies either did not specify workers’ occupations or grouped occupations. Shift work and workplace facilities significantly influenced SB and PA, but organizational factors affecting these behaviors were not sufficiently investigated (e.g., occupation type, work environment and workplace facilities, and shift work). Conclusions More research is needed to explore SB and PA patterns within occupational subgroups. Additionally, it is important to explore work-related individual (e.g., job task), interpersonal (e.g., social support from colleagues), organizational (e.g., work policy), and environmental factors influencing SB and PA. Future studies should also investigate the association of these factors with SB and PA.

Abstract Background The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in 2011, developed the “Total Worker Health®” (TWH) as a holistic approach to protect and promote the workers’ safety, health, and well-being. After over ten years from the TWH development, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the worldwide TWH initiatives. Methods PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched for TWH studies published up to the 31st of July 2023, and 43 investigations could be included. The review was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews PROSPERO with the reference number CRD42023416972. Results Issues that emerged as relevant for the TWH operationalization were the awareness about the TWH approach and fundamentals, the leadership commitment, and a participatory engagement of the workforce: these aspects all contributed to acceptable and effective setting oriented TWH plans, specifically tailored on the peculiarities of the workplace, including small enterprises and multiemployer worksites. Evaluation and continual improvement were reported as fundamental for the successful implementation of TWH initiatives. Limited resources for safety and health initiatives, in terms of time, people, and funds, together with difficulties in the identification of safety and health priorities and a poor participatory culture were recognized as obstacles to the TWH application. Training resulted the core component of the TWH leadership and workforce preparedness, with beneficial results in terms of safety culture and adoption of preventive measures. Conclusions Although interesting aspects emerged from our review, future longitudinal investigations should confirm the effectiveness, easy integration, and long-term sustainability of TWH models in different workplaces, in order to effectively support safe and health-enhancing works able to improve innovation and productivity.

Abstract Background Structural and behavioral interventions to manage work-related stress are effective in employees. Nonetheless, they have been implemented insufficiently, particularly in micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSE). Main barriers include a lack of knowledge and limited resources, which could potentially be overcome with simplified web-based alternatives for occupational stress prevention. However, there is a lack of implementation research about web-based prevention in realistic settings of MSE. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation process and success of an integrated web-based platform for occupational stress prevention (“System P”) and to identify potential barriers for its uptake and use in MSE in Germany. Methods This study with a mixed-methods approach investigates eight process-related outcomes in a quantitative part I (adoption, reach, penetration, fidelity/dose, costs, acceptability) and a qualitative part II (acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility). Part I has a pre-post design with two measurements (6 months apart) with 98 individual participants and part II consists of 12 semi-structured interviews with managers and intercorporate stakeholders. Results Part I revealed shortcomings in the implementation process. Adoption/Reach: Despite extensive marketing efforts, less than 1% of the contacted MSE responded to the offer of System P. A total of 40 MSE registered, 24 of which, characterized by good psychosocial safety climate, adopted System P. Penetration: Within these 24 MSE, 15% of the employees used the system. Fidelity/Dose: 11 MSE started a psychosocial risk-assessment (PRA), and no MSE finished it. The stress-management training (SMT) was started by 25 users and completed by 8. Costs: The use of System P was free of charge, but the time required to engage with was an indirect cost. Part II added insights on the perception of the web-based intervention: Acceptance of System P by users and stakeholders was good and it was assessed as appropriate for MSE. Results for feasibility were mixed. Conclusions Although System P was generally perceived as useful and appropriate, only a small number of contacted MSE implemented it as intended. Prior experience and sensitivity for occupational (stress) prevention were mentioned as key facilitators, while (perceived) indirect costs were a key barrier. Enabling MSE to independently manage stress prevention online did not result in successful implementation. Increasing external support could be a solution. ⁺ Full project name “PragmatiKK – Pragmatische Lösungen für die Implementation von Maßnahmen zur Stressprävention in Kleinst- und Kleinbetrieben” (= Pragmatic solutions for the implementation of stress prevention interventions in micro and small-sized enterprises). Trial registration German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS) DRKS00026154, date of registration 2021-09-16.

Abstract Background Public health and working life are closely related. Even though Norway is one of the world’s most equality-oriented countries, working life is still divided by gender. Women have a lower rate of participation in working life than men, they work more part-time and they have a higher sickness absence. Research has mostly focused on structural and cultural reasons for gender differences, rather than on the fact that women and men have different biology and face different health challenges. The aim of this project was to explore experienced associations between women’s health and female participation in working life. Methods Qualitative methods were chosen for investigating women’s experiences. We carried out in-depth interviews with 11 female high school teachers and supplemented the material with a focus group with five managers from the same organisation. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used the six steps of reflexive thematic analysis for consistency in the analysis process. Results The teachers shared a variety of experienced health issues within the field of women’s health and perceived barriers in the work environment. Four main themes were identified: (1) invisibility of women’s health at work, (2) complexity and lack of recognition of women’s health at work, (3) women’s health in work environment and (4) women’s health and role conflicts. There were few contradictions between the two informant groups. We found that health, work and total life intertwine and that complexity, lack of recognition and invisibility of women’s health appear at different levels in a mutual influence: for the women themselves, in the organisation and in society. Conclusion Lack of recognition and invisibility of women’s health in the work environment is suggested to influence women’s work participation. The complexity of female health is not captured by gender-neutral structures in the work environment meant to protect and promote employees’ occupational health. Recognition of women’s health in the work context can therefore contribute to a gender-equal, health-promoting and sustainable working life.

Background: Too much sedentary behavior (SB) and too little physical activity (PA) place adult workers at risk for chronic illness. It remains unclear which occupations and subgroups within occupations have the highest and lowest SB and PA, and little is known about the effects of organizational factors on these behaviors and metrics. Thus, our main aims were to review and summarize evidence describing daily SB and PA collected using accelerometry across various occupations and to identify organizational factors influencing SB and PA. Methods: A literature search of six databases was performed for relevant studies published through March 2023. Eligible studies were in English, targeted working populations, had a sample size > 75, and objectively measured both SB and PA for seven consecutive days using accelerometers. Following PRISMA guidelines, 5,197 studies were identified, and 19 articles met our inclusion criteria. Five of these studies were included in a meta-analysis comparing time spent in SB, light PA (LPA), and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) across occupations. Methodological quality was assessed using a Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Results: We found that 63% of the studies reported daily time spent in SB and in MVPA, but fewer reported LPA, moderate PA, and vigorous PA. The average time spent in SB was 553.34 min/day, in LPA was 299.77 min/day, and in MVPA was 33.87 min/day. In occupational subgroup analysis, we observed that office workers had 2.3 h more SB, 2.4 less hours LPA, and 14 min less MVPA per day than nurses. However, most studies either did not specify workers' occupations or grouped occupations. Shift work and workplace facilities significantly influenced SB and PA, but organizational factors affecting these behaviors were not sufficiently investigated (e.g., occupation type, work environment and workplace facilities, and shift work). Conclusions: More research is needed to explore SB and PA patterns within occupational subgroups. Additionally, it is important to explore work-related individual (e.g., job task), interpersonal (e.g., social support from colleagues), organizational (e.g., work policy), and environmental factors influencing SB and PA. Future studies should also investigate the association of these factors with SB and PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background When conducting COVID-19 contact tracing, pre-defined criteria allow differentiating high-risk contacts (HRC) from low-risk contacts (LRC). Our study aimed to evaluate whether contact tracers in Belgium followed these criteria in practice and whether their deviations improved the infection risk assessment. Method We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Belgium, through an anonymous online survey, sent to 111,763 workers by email. First, we evaluated the concordance between the guideline-based classification of HRC or LRC and the tracer’s classification. We computed positive and negative agreements between both. Second, we used a multivariate Poisson regression to calculate the risk ratio (RR) of testing positive depending on the risk classification by the contact tracer and by the guideline-based risk classification. Results For our first research question, we included 1105 participants. The positive agreement between the guideline-based classification in HRC or LRC and the tracer’s classification was 0.53 (95% CI 0.49–0.57) and the negative agreement 0.70 (95% CI: 0.67–0.72). The type of contact tracer (occupational doctors, internal tracer, general practitioner, other) did not significantly influence the results. For the second research question, we included 589 participants. The RR of testing positive after an HRC compared to an LRC was 3.10 (95% CI: 2.71–3.56) when classified by the contact tracer and 2.24 (95% CI: 1.94–2.60) when classified by the guideline-based criteria. Conclusion Our study indicates that contact tracers did not apply pre-defined criteria for classifying high and low risk contacts. Risk stratification by contact tracers predicts who is at risk of infection better than guidelines only. This result indicates that a knowledgeable tracer can target testing better than a general guideline, asking for a debate on how to adapt the guidelines.

Abstract Background Psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PT-A) provides employees with mental illnesses or subclinical symptoms a short-term and low-threshold access to psychotherapeutic care. However, practical experience shows that the utilisation rate seems low compared to expected demand. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of utilisation by exploring associations between sociodemographic characteristics, psychological well-being, stigma-related barriers and psychosocial safety climate and the intention to seek PT-A. Methods Within a cross-sectional study, 658 participants were recruited via various social media channels in Germany. Participants answered an online questionnaire on potential determinants of (1) intention to seek PT-A in general and of intention to seek PT-A to specifically discuss (2) occupational burden and (3) private burden. Multiple ordinal regression analyses were conducted for the whole study sample and for the subgroups of participants screened positive and negative for current depression. Results Lower stigma-related barriers were associated with higher general intention to seek PT-A among all study groups. Lower psychological well-being was associated with higher general intention to seek PT-A and with higher intention to seek PT-A to discuss occupational and private burden, but only so in the subgroup of employees who were screened negative for current depression. Treatment experience was associated with higher intention to seek PT-A for occupational burden among participants screened negative but not among participants screened positive for current depression. No associations were found between age, gender, education or psychosocial safety climate and any variable of intention to seek PT-A. Conclusion Those results give an overview on potential determinants for the intention to seek PT-A, but future research with longitudinal designs is needed to confirm that those factors also determine actual utilisation of PT-A. Based on the results, practical implications might include antistigma campaigns and promotion of PT-A adapted to the aims of the consultation.

Abstract Background People living with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) often experience work participation problems. Good work-focused healthcare, defined as the received advice, treatment, and guidance focusing on work participation, can support the patient and work place. However, experiences with work-focused healthcare are generally not always positive which is a barrier for work participation. Therefore, the objective of this study is to gain insight into the work-focused healthcare journey from the perspective of patients with work participation problems due to CVD, to understand their experiences and needs, and to derive opportunities for improving work-focused healthcare service at a system level. Methods Semi-structured interviews, preceded by preparatory assignments, were conducted with 17 patients who experience(d) work participation problems due to CVD. The patient experience journey map (PEJM) approach was used to visualize the patients’ work-focused healthcare journey, including experiences and needs over time and place, from which opportunities to improve work-focused healthcare from the patient’s perspective were derived. Results An aggregated PEJM consisting of six phases was composed and graphically mapped. The first phase, working, represents a period in which CVD health problems and subsequent functional limitations occur. The next two phases, short- and long-term sick leave, represent a period of full sick leave. The last three phases, start-, partial-, and full vocational reintegration, focus on the process of return to work that takes place ranging from a few months up to several years after sick-listing. For each phase the touchpoints, timespan, stakeholders, activities, experiences and needs from the perspective of the patients were identified. Finally, for better work-focused healthcare nine opportunities for improvement were derived from the PEJM, e.g. emphasize the need for work adjustment prior to the medical intervention, provide more personalized advice on handling work limitations, and putting more compelling pressure on the employer to create suitable work positions for their employees. Discussion/conclusion This paper contributes insights to provide a more patient-centered work-focused healthcare trajectory for patients employed in paid jobs when living with CVD. The PEJM provides an understanding of the patients’ perspectives throughout their work-focused healthcare journey and highlights opportunities for improvement towards a better suited and seamless patient journey, Although this research was conducted within the Dutch healthcare system, it can be assumed that the findings on integrated work-focused healthcare are largly transferable to other healthcare systems.

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries (MSDI) are conditions that affect the locomotor system characterized by pain and impairment of functionality. They are the leading cause of years lived with disability. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the return to work (RTW) among workers on sick leave due to MSDI. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between 2020–2022. The participants were 216 workers who required social security compensation due to MSDI. They filled out online questionnaires about their sociodemographic characteristics, health risk behaviors, work characteristics and health conditions. They were followed for 365 days after their first day of sick leave. A Cox regression was performed to identify the factors that influenced their first RTW. Results Most participants were male (53.0%), mean age was 39.5 years (SD 10.6), 70.4% returned to work within the one-year follow-up period. The mean duration of sick leave was 192.6 days. Factors associated with a lower RTW were age 40 years and older (HR 0.54; 95%CI 0.39–0.76) and the interaction between perceptions of the need for improvement in the physical and psychological domains of quality of life (HR 0.67; 95%CI 0.48–0.94). Conclusions Occupational healthcare professionals should pay greater attention to patients who are aging and those with perceived worse physical and psychological conditions, in order to facilitate the reintegration process and promote sustained RTW after sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorder or injury.

Abstract Background Self-perceived exposure risk determines the likelihood of COVID-19 preventive measure compliance to a large extent and is among the most important predictors of mental health problems. Therefore, there is a need to systematically identify important predictors of such risks. This study aims to provide insight into forecasting and understanding risk perceptions and help to adjust interventions that target various social groups in different pandemic phases. Methods This study was based on survey data collected from 5001 Norwegians in 2020 and 2021. Interpretable machine learning algorithms were used to predict perceived exposure risks. To detect the most important predictors, the models with best performance were chosen based on predictive errors and explained variances. Shapley additive values were used to examine individual heterogeneities, interpret feature impact and check interactions between the key predictors. Results Gradient boosting machine exhibited the best model performance in this study (2020: RMSE=.93, MAE=.74, RSQ=.22; 2021: RMSE=.99, MAE=.77, RSQ=.12). The most influential predictors of perceived exposure risk were compliance with interventions, work-life conflict, age and gender. In 2020, work and occupation played a dominant role in predicting perceived risks whereas, in 2021, living and behavioural factors were among the most important predictors. Findings show large individual heterogeneities in feature importance based on people’s sociodemographic backgrounds, work and living situations. Conclusion The findings provide insight into forecasting risk groups and contribute to the early detection of vulnerable people during the pandemic. This is useful for policymakers and stakeholders in developing timely interventions targeting different social groups. Future policies and interventions should be adapted to the needs of people with various life situations.

Abstract Background Social distancing has been increasingly implemented following the COVID-19 pandemic and more people have been working from home. Consequently, the screen time has increased, which can disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle and delay sleep onset. Given that studies on the health of employees who work from home remain insufficient, particularly with respect to the risk of sleep disorders including insomnia, this study aimed to assess the relationship between working from home and insomnia among workers using data from the 5th Working Conditions Survey conducted in Korea. Methods Of 30,108 wage workers, we enrolled 818 employees who worked from home and 4,090 employees who worked from the office, a 1:5 pair sample based on sex and occupational group. Personal and occupational characteristics, working from home, and insomnia were included in the analysis. Age, education, employment status, working years, working hours per week, work-life balance, self-perceived health, depression, and anxiety were all adjusted as potential confounding variables. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed using working from home as an independent variable and insomnia as a dependent variable to determine the correlation between working from home and insomnia. Results Working from home was associated with sleep onset latency disorder, OR = 3.23 (95% CI: 2.67–3.91), sleep maintenance disorder, OR = 3.67 (95% CI: 3.02–4.45), and non-restorative sleep, OR = 3.01 (95% CI: 2.46–3.67); working from home had a statistically significant relationship with all three types of insomnia. Conclusions Within the limits of the study, these findings can be used as a fundamental basis for the implementation of policies and guidelines to prevent insomnia in workers who work from home.

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition contributing to impaired quality of life among professional vehicle drivers. Our study aimed to assess LBP prevalence and associated factors among professional bus drivers in Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 professional bus drivers using a semi-structured questionnaire. A Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) subscale was used to measure LBP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with LBP. Results In the last month, 127 (34.51%) participants reported experiencing pain or discomfort in the lower backside. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age of more than 40 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14 to 3.75), the income of more than 15,000 BDT per month (aOR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.26), work duration more than ten years (aOR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.70), working more than 15 days per month (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.65), working more than 10 h per day (aOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.05 to 5.75), poor condition of the driving seat (aOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.02), current smoking habit (aOR: 9.71, 95% CI: 1.25 to 75.15), illicit substances use (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.48), and four hours or less sleeping time per day (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.06) were positively associated with LBP. Conclusion The high burden of LBP among the participants calls for a focus on this vulnerable group's occupational health and safety, with particular emphasis on implementing standard measures.

Background: When conducting COVID-19 contact tracing, pre-defined criteria allow differentiating high-risk contacts (HRC) from low-risk contacts (LRC). Our study aimed to evaluate whether contact tracers in Belgium followed these criteria in practice and whether their deviations improved the infection risk assessment. Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Belgium, through an anonymous online survey, sent to 111,763 workers by email. First, we evaluated the concordance between the guideline-based classification of HRC or LRC and the tracer's classification. We computed positive and negative agreements between both. Second, we used a multivariate Poisson regression to calculate the risk ratio (RR) of testing positive depending on the risk classification by the contact tracer and by the guideline-based risk classification. Results: For our first research question, we included 1105 participants. The positive agreement between the guideline-based classification in HRC or LRC and the tracer's classification was 0.53 (95% CI 0.49–0.57) and the negative agreement 0.70 (95% CI: 0.67–0.72). The type of contact tracer (occupational doctors, internal tracer, general practitioner, other) did not significantly influence the results. For the second research question, we included 589 participants. The RR of testing positive after an HRC compared to an LRC was 3.10 (95% CI: 2.71–3.56) when classified by the contact tracer and 2.24 (95% CI: 1.94–2.60) when classified by the guideline-based criteria. Conclusion: Our study indicates that contact tracers did not apply pre-defined criteria for classifying high and low risk contacts. Risk stratification by contact tracers predicts who is at risk of infection better than guidelines only. This result indicates that a knowledgeable tracer can target testing better than a general guideline, asking for a debate on how to adapt the guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PT-A) provides employees with mental illnesses or subclinical symptoms a short-term and low-threshold access to psychotherapeutic care. However, practical experience shows that the utilisation rate seems low compared to expected demand. Therefore, this study aimed to identify determinants of utilisation by exploring associations between sociodemographic characteristics, psychological well-being, stigma-related barriers and psychosocial safety climate and the intention to seek PT-A. Methods: Within a cross-sectional study, 658 participants were recruited via various social media channels in Germany. Participants answered an online questionnaire on potential determinants of (1) intention to seek PT-A in general and of intention to seek PT-A to specifically discuss (2) occupational burden and (3) private burden. Multiple ordinal regression analyses were conducted for the whole study sample and for the subgroups of participants screened positive and negative for current depression. Results: Lower stigma-related barriers were associated with higher general intention to seek PT-A among all study groups. Lower psychological well-being was associated with higher general intention to seek PT-A and with higher intention to seek PT-A to discuss occupational and private burden, but only so in the subgroup of employees who were screened negative for current depression. Treatment experience was associated with higher intention to seek PT-A for occupational burden among participants screened negative but not among participants screened positive for current depression. No associations were found between age, gender, education or psychosocial safety climate and any variable of intention to seek PT-A. Conclusion: Those results give an overview on potential determinants for the intention to seek PT-A, but future research with longitudinal designs is needed to confirm that those factors also determine actual utilisation of PT-A. Based on the results, practical implications might include antistigma campaigns and promotion of PT-A adapted to the aims of the consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries (MSDI) are conditions that affect the locomotor system characterized by pain and impairment of functionality. They are the leading cause of years lived with disability. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the return to work (RTW) among workers on sick leave due to MSDI. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between 2020–2022. The participants were 216 workers who required social security compensation due to MSDI. They filled out online questionnaires about their sociodemographic characteristics, health risk behaviors, work characteristics and health conditions. They were followed for 365 days after their first day of sick leave. A Cox regression was performed to identify the factors that influenced their first RTW. Results: Most participants were male (53.0%), mean age was 39.5 years (SD 10.6), 70.4% returned to work within the one-year follow-up period. The mean duration of sick leave was 192.6 days. Factors associated with a lower RTW were age 40 years and older (HR 0.54; 95%CI 0.39–0.76) and the interaction between perceptions of the need for improvement in the physical and psychological domains of quality of life (HR 0.67; 95%CI 0.48–0.94). Conclusions: Occupational healthcare professionals should pay greater attention to patients who are aging and those with perceived worse physical and psychological conditions, in order to facilitate the reintegration process and promote sustained RTW after sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorder or injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People living with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) often experience work participation problems. Good work-focused healthcare, defined as the received advice, treatment, and guidance focusing on work participation, can support the patient and work place. However, experiences with work-focused healthcare are generally not always positive which is a barrier for work participation. Therefore, the objective of this study is to gain insight into the work-focused healthcare journey from the perspective of patients with work participation problems due to CVD, to understand their experiences and needs, and to derive opportunities for improving work-focused healthcare service at a system level. Methods: Semi-structured interviews, preceded by preparatory assignments, were conducted with 17 patients who experience(d) work participation problems due to CVD. The patient experience journey map (PEJM) approach was used to visualize the patients' work-focused healthcare journey, including experiences and needs over time and place, from which opportunities to improve work-focused healthcare from the patient's perspective were derived. Results: An aggregated PEJM consisting of six phases was composed and graphically mapped. The first phase, working, represents a period in which CVD health problems and subsequent functional limitations occur. The next two phases, short- and long-term sick leave, represent a period of full sick leave. The last three phases, start-, partial-, and full vocational reintegration, focus on the process of return to work that takes place ranging from a few months up to several years after sick-listing. For each phase the touchpoints, timespan, stakeholders, activities, experiences and needs from the perspective of the patients were identified. Finally, for better work-focused healthcare nine opportunities for improvement were derived from the PEJM, e.g. emphasize the need for work adjustment prior to the medical intervention, provide more personalized advice on handling work limitations, and putting more compelling pressure on the employer to create suitable work positions for their employees. Discussion/conclusion: This paper contributes insights to provide a more patient-centered work-focused healthcare trajectory for patients employed in paid jobs when living with CVD. The PEJM provides an understanding of the patients' perspectives throughout their work-focused healthcare journey and highlights opportunities for improvement towards a better suited and seamless patient journey, Although this research was conducted within the Dutch healthcare system, it can be assumed that the findings on integrated work-focused healthcare are largly transferable to other healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundRegular participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is related to decreased risk of morbidity and mortality. Among working populations, lack of MVPA may also be a risk factor for absenteeism and presenteeism. Both traditional workplace-based and web-based interventions have been suggested as being effective in promoting participation MVPA, health-related outcomes, and work-related productivity. However, several challenges limit their application in real world contexts. A 'blended' intervention approach combining the two intervention strategies is proposed to overcome these limitations. The proposed intervention aims to utilize the blended approach to increase participation in MVPA, health-related outcomes, and work productivity among inactive workers.MethodsThe study will comprise of a three-group cluster randomized controlled trial (cluster-RCT), comprising a three-month actual intervention and a nine-month behavioral follow-up period. The three groups will be: a web-based intervention group, a blended intervention group combining the web-based components with face-to-face workshops and posters, and a control group. Physically inactive office employees (N = 495) from 33 companies (i.e., clusters) will be recruited and randomly assigned to the three groups by cluster randomization. The intervention mapping (IM) framework will be used for selecting and applying effective health behavioral theories and behavioral change techniques (BCTs) to the development, implementation and assessment of the intervention, which will be personally tailored. The primary outcome variable will be objectively-measured MVPA using an accelerometer. Secondary outcomes will consist of indices of health including adiposity, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, self-reported depression, anxiety, stress, health-related quality of life and work-related variables including absenteeism and presenteeism.DiscussionThe proposed study adopts a robust blended intervention approach that is expected to overcome challenges in applying workplace-based and web-based interventions separately and yield larger effects in promoting MVPA participation, health-related outcomes and work productivity. Improvements in work productivity outcomes will be of particular interest to employers. If more effective, the new blended intervention has the potential to be implemented on a larger scale to benefit workplace populations.Trial registrationThe trial is prospectively registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov PRS (Trial ID: NCT04391270; Date of First Posted: May 18, 2020).

Abstract Background Occupational health interventions for leaders are underrepresented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When creating and developing effective occupational health interventions, identification of the specific needs of the target group is regarded as an essential step before planning an intervention. Therefore, the aim of this study was (1) to examine the subjectively experienced work-related stressors of leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises, (2) to explore coping behaviors leaders use to deal with the experienced work-related stressors, (3) to investigate resources supporting the coping process and (4) to identify potentially self-perceived consequences resulting from the experienced stressors. Methods Ten semi-structured interviews with leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with content-structuring qualitative content analysis in accordance to Kuckartz. Results Leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises experience various stressors caused by work organization as well as industry-related stressors and other work-related stressors. To address the experienced stressors, leaders apply problem focused coping behaviors (e.g. performing changes on structural and personal level), emotional focused coping behaviors (e.g. balancing activities, cognitive restructuring) as well as the utilization of social support. Helpful resources for the coping process include organizational, social and personal resources. As a result of the experienced work-related stressors, interviewees stated to experience different health impairments, negative effects on work quality as well as neglect of leisure activities and lack of time for family and friends. Conclusion The identified experienced work-related stressors, applied coping behaviors, utilized resources and emerging consequences underpin the urgent need for the development and performance of health-oriented leadership interventions for leaders in small and medium- sized IT and technological services. The results of this study can be used when designing a target-oriented intervention for the examined target group.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition contributing to impaired quality of life among professional vehicle drivers. Our study aimed to assess LBP prevalence and associated factors among professional bus drivers in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 professional bus drivers using a semi-structured questionnaire. A Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) subscale was used to measure LBP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with LBP. Results: In the last month, 127 (34.51%) participants reported experiencing pain or discomfort in the lower backside. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age of more than 40 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14 to 3.75), the income of more than 15,000 BDT per month (aOR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.26), work duration more than ten years (aOR: 2.53, 95% CI: 1.12 to 5.70), working more than 15 days per month (aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.65), working more than 10 h per day (aOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.05 to 5.75), poor condition of the driving seat (aOR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.02), current smoking habit (aOR: 9.71, 95% CI: 1.25 to 75.15), illicit substances use (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.48), and four hours or less sleeping time per day (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.06) were positively associated with LBP. Conclusion: The high burden of LBP among the participants calls for a focus on this vulnerable group's occupational health and safety, with particular emphasis on implementing standard measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical behaviours of office workers worldwide, but studies comparing physical behaviours between countries with similar restrictions policies are rare. This study aimed to document and compare the 24-hour time-use compositions of physical behaviours among Brazilian and Swedish office workers on working and non-working days during the pandemic. Methods Physical behaviours were monitored over 7 days using thigh-worn accelerometers in 73 Brazilian and 202 Swedish workers. Daily time-use compositions were exhaustively described in terms of sedentary behaviour (SED) in short (

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate and describe the indicators of occupational health, with a focus on the medical expertise and periodic medical examination. Methods This is exploratory-descriptive, cross-sectional, documentary, quantitative, and retrospective research, in the historical series: 2011 to 2015. Results The number of lost days of work per worker and the frequency of licenses increased despite the decrease in the Absenteeism Duration Index and stabilization of the Frequency of Medical Workers. As for the adhesion of the workers to the Periodic Medical Examinations, it was decreasing, with a higher percentage in the year 2012 (35.3%). During the analyzed period, 5,186 workers performed the Periodic Medical Examination, and the majority (60.6%) presented non-ideal weight, 41.1% were sedentary, 33.2% had dyslipidemia, 29.0% were alcoholic, 3.2% were smokers, 5.9% had diabetics, and 16.4% reported high noise in the workplace, 27.8% inadequate lighting and 35.9% inadequate work furniture. Conclusions The results highlight the need to maintain and strengthen the Worker Health and Safety Policy with emphasis on surveillance, aiming at the promotion and protection of the health of the workers, based on the elaboration of the epidemiological profile of health and, consequently, the implementation of positive impact strategies.

Abstract Background Motivational interventions are used as preventive measures in occupational health. However, existing studies primarily focus on motivation methods and not the stage of motivation—the process from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. The treatment self-regulation questionnaire (TSRQ) can predict workers’ health at each motivational stage. Accordingly, this study examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the TSRQ (Diet and Exercise) in occupational health settings. Methods Responses of 912 workers were analyzed. In this study, the Cronbach’s alphas were 0.85 for Diet and 0.84 for Exercise after excluding items with low Item-Total correlations. Regarding convergent validity, there was a weak correlation between behavior modification stages and the TSRQ. Regarding structural validity, confirmatory factor analysis was performed assuming a four-factor structure. Results The goodness-of-fit indices were: Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.94, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.92, and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.07 for Diet and CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.91, and RMSEA = 0.08 for Exercise. Conclusion The Japanese version of the TSRQ has a certain degree of reliability and validity. It can measure motivation for Diet and health-related behaviors in occupational health settings. The findings of this study may serve as a basis for promoting primary and secondary prevention.

Abstract Background Occupational exposures may play a key role in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection risk. We used a job-exposure matrix linked to the UK Biobank to measure occupational characteristics and estimate associations with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Methods People reporting job titles at their baseline interview in England who were

Abstract Background This study examined prospective associations between atypical working hours with subsequent tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use as well as sugar and fat consumption. Methods In the French population-based CONSTANCES cohort, 47,288 men and 53,324 women currently employed included between 2012 and 2017 were annually followed for tobacco and cannabis use. Among them, 35,647 men and 39,767 women included between 2012 and 2016 were also followed for alcohol and sugar and fat consumption. Three indicators of atypical working hours were self-reported at baseline: working at night, weekend work and non-fixed working hours. Generalized linear models computed odds of substance use and sugar and fat consumption at follow-up according to atypical working hours at baseline while adjusting for sociodemographic factors, depression and baseline substance use when appropriate. Results Working at night was associated with decreased smoking cessation and increased relapse in women [odds ratios (ORs) of 0.81 and 1.25], increased cannabis use in men [ORs from 1.46 to 1.54] and increased alcohol use [ORs from 1.12 to 1.14] in both men and women. Weekend work was associated with decreased smoking cessation in women [ORs from 0.89 to 0.90] and increased alcohol use in both men and women [ORs from 1.09 to 1.14]. Non-fixed hours were associated with decreased smoking cessation in women and increased relapse in men [ORs of 0.89 and 1.13] and increased alcohol use in both men and women [ORs from 1.12 to 1.19]. Overall, atypical working hours were associated with decreased sugar and fat consumption. Conclusions The potential role of atypical working hours on substance use should be considered by public health policy makers and clinicians in information and prevention strategies.

Abstract Truck drivers are a vulnerable population due to the high number of workplace injuries and fatalities predominant in their occupation. In Australia, the road freight transportation industry has been identified as a national priority area in terms of creating preventative measures to improve the health and safety of its workers. With an environment conducive to poor nutritional food choices and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, many barriers exist to creating a safe and healthy workforce. Thus, the current study aimed to describe the pre-injury hospital-recorded health conditions and health service use of truck drivers with a worker’s injury compensation claim/s when compared to workers in other industries. Data was obtained from a compensation claims database and linked with hospital admissions data recorded five years prior to the injury claim. Health and lifestyle behaviour data for the occupational code of truck drivers was compared to other occupational drivers, as well as to all other occupations. Analysis was conducted via logistic regression. The results found that when compared to other occupational drivers, truck drivers were significantly more likely to have a hospital-recorded diagnosis of diabetes and/or hypertension, as well as being significantly more likely to have a hospital record of tobacco use and/or alcohol misuse/abuse. The findings show that there is a need to review and revise existing health strategies to promote the health and wellbeing of truck drivers, especially given their challenging work environment.

Background: Occupational health interventions for leaders are underrepresented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When creating and developing effective occupational health interventions, identification of the specific needs of the target group is regarded as an essential step before planning an intervention. Therefore, the aim of this study was (1) to examine the subjectively experienced work-related stressors of leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises, (2) to explore coping behaviors leaders use to deal with the experienced work-related stressors, (3) to investigate resources supporting the coping process and (4) to identify potentially self-perceived consequences resulting from the experienced stressors. Methods: Ten semi-structured interviews with leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with content-structuring qualitative content analysis in accordance to Kuckartz. Results: Leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises experience various stressors caused by work organization as well as industry-related stressors and other work-related stressors. To address the experienced stressors, leaders apply problem focused coping behaviors (e.g. performing changes on structural and personal level), emotional focused coping behaviors (e.g. balancing activities, cognitive restructuring) as well as the utilization of social support. Helpful resources for the coping process include organizational, social and personal resources. As a result of the experienced work-related stressors, interviewees stated to experience different health impairments, negative effects on work quality as well as neglect of leisure activities and lack of time for family and friends. Conclusion: The identified experienced work-related stressors, applied coping behaviors, utilized resources and emerging consequences underpin the urgent need for the development and performance of health-oriented leadership interventions for leaders in small and medium- sized IT and technological services. The results of this study can be used when designing a target-oriented intervention for the examined target group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background As smartphones become more widespread, software applications for occupational health, safety and well-being (OHS&W) at work are increasing. There is sparse knowledge about the available apps and the research evidence of their effects. This study aims to identify available smartphone applications designed to improve OHS&W at workplaces, and examine to what extent the apps are scientifically validated. Methods We searched the Danish App Store and Google Play for free OHS&W apps. Apps were included if they targeted OHS&W and were designed for workplace use. After categorizing the apps, we searched bibliographic databases to identify scientific studies on the ‘intervention apps’. Results Altogether, 57 apps were included in the study; 19 apps were categorized as digital sources of information, 37 apps contained an intervention designed for workplace changes, and one app had too sparse information to be classified. Based on the publicly available information about the 37 intervention apps, only 13 had references to research. The bibliographic database search returned 531 publications, resulting in four relevant studies referring to four apps aimed at ergonomic measures, noise exposure, and well-being, which showed either limited effect or methodological limitations. Conclusion There is no conceptual clarity about what can be categorized as an OHS&W app. Although some of the apps were developed based on scientific research, there is a need to evaluate the apps’ effects in promoting OHS&W. The sparse documentation of evidence should be kept in mind when applying apps to improve OHS&W.

Abstract Background Understanding the perceptions of lower socioeconomic groups towards workplace health promotion is important because they are underrepresented in workplace health promotion activities and generally engage in unhealthier lifestyle behaviour than high SEP groups. This study aims to explore interest in workplace health promotion programmes (WHPPs) among employees with a low and medium level of education regarding participation and desired programme characteristics (i.e. the employer’s role, the source, the channel, the involvement of the social environment and conditions of participation). Methods A mixed-methods design was used, consisting of a questionnaire study (n = 475) and a sequential focus group study (n = 27) to enrich the questionnaire’s results. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the associations between subgroups (i.e. demographics, weight status) and interest in a WHPP. The focus group data were analysed deductively through thematic analysis, using MAXQDA 2018 for qualitative data analysis. Results The questionnaire study showed that 36.8% of respondents were interested in an employer-provided WHPP, while 45.1% expressed no interest. Regarding subgroup differences, respondents with a low level of education were less likely to express interest in a WHPP than those with a medium level of education (OR = .54, 95%, CI = .35–.85). No significant differences were found concerning gender, age and weight status. The overall themes discussed in the focus groups were similar to the questionnaires (i.e. the employer’s role, the source, the channel, the involvement of the social environment and conditions of participation). The qualitative data showed that participants’ perceptions were often related to their jobs and working conditions. Conclusions Employees with a medium level of education were more inclined to be interested in a WHPP than those with a low level of education. Focus groups suggested preferences varied depending on job type and related tasks. Recommendations are to allow WHPP design to adapt to this variation and facilitate flexible participation. Future research investigating employers’ perceptions of WHPPs is needed to enable a mutual understanding of an effective programme design, possibly contributing to sustainable WHPP implementation.

Abstract Background Decision makers want to know if there is a financial benefit in investing scarce resources in occupational health management (OHM). Economic evaluations (EEs) of OHM-strategies try to answer this question. However, EEs of OHM-strategies which are strongly marked by quantitative methods may be limited by contextual, qualitative residuals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) explore important economic dimensions of OHM and (2) to discuss the methods used in current EEs for measuring these dimensions. Methods In this explorative qualitative study, OHM-specialists were recruited via the Swiss organisation for health promotion. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were performed from November 2020 until May 2021. Videotapes were transcribed verbatim and organised by using an open coding strategy. Codes were clustered and synthesised as themes (i.e. the dimensions of EEs of OHM) through a mix of inductive and deductive content analysis. Member check with eight participants was accomplished to validate the results. Results The interviews had an average duration of 70.5 min and yielded 609 individual codes. These codes were merged into 28 subcategories which were finally categorised into five main themes: Understanding of OHM, costs, benefits, environmental aspects, and evaluation of OHM. Participants stated that the greater part of costs and benefits cannot be quantified or monetised and thus, considered in quantitative EEs. For example, they see a culture of health as key component for a successful OHM-strategy. However, the costs to establish such a culture as well as its benefits are hard to quantify. Participants were highly critical of the use of absenteeism as a linear measure of productivity. Furthermore, they explained that single, rare events, such as a change in leadership, can have significant impact on employee health. However, such external influence factors are difficult to control. Conclusions Participants perceived costs and benefits of OHM significantly different than how they are represented in current EEs. According to the OHM-specialists, most benefits cannot be quantified and thus, monetised. These intangible benefits as well as critical influencing factors during the process should be assessed qualitatively and considered in EEs when using them as a legitimation basis vis-à-vis decision makers.

Abstract Background Several published studies have reported an association between participation in a food assistance program and greater prevalence of overweight/obesity. Our aim was to compare nutritional status and nutrient consumption between workers from manufacturing companies participant and non-participant in the Brazilian Workers’ Food Program (WFP). Design Cross-sectional survey, based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in Brazil obtained by stratified two-stage sampling, comparative between WFP and non-WFP participating companies. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and nutrient consumption (24-hour recall) were collected by trained nutritionists. Statistical analysis was done separately in each sex with mixed effects multilevel linear regression model including sampling weights and covariate adjustment. Results Thirty-three companies were randomly selected from all companies in three different economic activity sectors (food and beverages, non-metallic minerals, and textiles) in North-eastern Brazil, with stratification by company size, and a random sample of 929 workers (484 from non-WFP and 445 from WFP companies) was obtained from those companies. In males, the WFP group had higher BMI (+ 1.08 kg/m2, p

Abstract Background The presence of psychosocial risks at work are associated with mental and physical health issues in workers. The study aim was to adapt the COPSOQ-ISTAS21 (Spanish version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and Union Institute of Work, Environment and Health) Medium-Version to the Peruvian context and to develop a Short-Version of the instrument. Method Cross-sectional design study. The COPSOQ-ISTAS21 Medium Version was used. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine the internal structure of each subdimension (first-order) and dimension (second-order) using the Robust Maximum Likelihood estimation method, and classic fit indices in the literature (CFI, SRMR, RMSEA). Internal consistency was evaluated using the alpha and omega coefficients. A short version was developed based on the items with the highest factorial load and that reduce the factorial complexity. Results A total of 1707 participants were evaluated. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness-of-fit indices for seventeen of the 20 one-dimensional models (subdimensions) were identified; two subdimensions could not be evaluated because they presented only two items. When conducting a multidimensional analysis, we identified that all second-order models presented optimal goodness-of-fit indices, except “psychological demands at work”. Finally, a short version of only 31 items was designed from the items with optimal fit indices. Conclusions The new adapted versions of COPSOQ-ISTAS21 were renamed CENSOPAS-COPSOQ (National center of occupational health and environment protection for health -in Spanish- and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire). The CENSOPAS-COPSOQ is an instrument with sufficient evidence of validity and reliability in its medium and short version, which is why its use is recommended in Peruvian work centers to identify the evaluation and prevention of psychosocial risks at work in Peru.