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Background: Problem-solving interventions with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) have been shown to reduce sick leave and increase return to work in an occupational health services context. However, many employees struggle with reduced work functioning, anxiety-, and depressive symptoms up to 12 months after a sick leave episode, and it is unclear if the intervention affects outcomes other than sick leave. The aim of this study is to investigate if a PSI-WPI added to care as usual (CAU) is superior to CAU with respect to self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms, work ability, work performance, and health after RTW when provided in primary care. Methods: Employed individuals aged 18–59 years on sick leave (2 to 12 weeks) diagnosed by a physician at a primary care center with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorder were enrolled in a two-armed cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a PSI-WPI. Multiple outcomes were recorded at baseline, six months, 12 months, and every fourth week during the study period. Outcomes were categorised into psychological symptoms, health, work ability, work performance, and self-reported sick leave. Data were analysed using MANOVA, GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations), and cox regression. Results: One hundred ninety-nine individuals responded to the invitation to participate; one participant withdrew, one was excluded as the employment ended, nine did not answer the baseline survey, and three were removed from the analysis due to missing data. The analysis included 81 subjects who received the intervention and 104 subjects who received the control. Baseline characteristics were similar across both groups. No differences between the groups were found among either variables except one. There was a significant difference between the groups in self-rated health (EQ5D) in favour of the CAU group from baseline to six-month follow-up, with a mean difference of -8.44 (-14.84, -2.04). Conclusions: A problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement added to CAU did not result in statistically significant reductions in outcomes. Further research is needed to understand why problem-solving interventions appear to have an effect on sick leave in an occupational health services context and not in a primary care context. Trial registration: NCT3346395, registration date 2017–11-17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Scenario: Police, fire, emergency medical services, and military personnel encompass a tactical population practice setting in athletic training. Due to occupational demands within this demographic, these patients experience musculoskeletal or career-altering injuries at an alarming rate. A main contributor to the incidence of musculoskeletal injury is a lack of functional movement. Clinical Question: What parameters of corrective exercise programming improve tactical participants' functional movement scores on the Functional Movement Screen? Summary of Key Findings: Three studies met the inclusion criteria set forth by the authors. Two studies used an 8-week regimented corrective exercise program while one study used a 4-week corrective exercise program. Two of three corrective exercise programs utilized progressions. All corrective exercise programs noted statistically significant improvements in Pre- and Post-functional Movement Screen scores. Clinical Bottom Line: Functional movement is essential to effective occupational interventions in tactical medicine; therefore, corrective exercise programs should be regimented for a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 days a week to show improvement in functional movement. Available evidence to answer this clinical question met a 2B minimum. Collective findings to answer this clinical question align with letter B strength of recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of high-quality healthcare data and the challenges involved in maintaining data quality. Healthcare data possess unique characteristics such as heterogeneity, incompleteness, timeliness, longevity, privacy, and ownership. Inaccurate data can result in financial losses, increased expenses, and can impact the performance of artificial intelligence models. The article emphasizes the necessity for tailored quality assessment indicators and methods for healthcare data, as well as the implementation of quality management measures. Additional research is required to redefine quality assessment criteria and develop quantification methods specifically for healthcare data. The authors stress the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among experts from diverse fields to ensure effective data quality assessment. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The aim of this study was to compare and describe different professionals' experiences of workplace psychological and social factors in occupational health (OH) organizations in Sweden. Methods: This cross-sectional study with a descriptive and comparative design included 472 respondents with common professions in the occupational health service (OHS) in Sweden. Data were collected with "The General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work" (QPSNordic). The professions have been compared pairwise using the Independent Samples Kruskal-Wallis test, adjusted by Bonferroni correction for multiple tests on subscales and single items and these are presented descriptively. Results: The experience of the psychological and social work environment on job task measurement level differed between the professionals. Experiences on social and organizational as well as on individual measurement levels are similar between the professionals who perceive them as satisfactory. Out of the 472 respondents, 7% reported that they had seen someone being subjected to harassment and bullying at the workplace during the last six months. Conclusions: The experience among the professionals differs most in the Job task measurement level. The results indicate that although different OH professionals experience psychological and social factors at work in different ways, their experiences are generally satisfactory even though harassment and bullying do exist. The research about occupational health professionals and their work environment is sparse. Further applied research is needed for the planning and development of occupational health services in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Estimates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence and critically the amount of infection that is undiagnosed or unlinked to care are uncertain—even in countries like UK where vertical transmission and overall prevalence are very low. In the absence of country of birth data, we aim to estimate HBV prevalence through combining public health surveillance data on antenatally screened women by ethnic group and multipliers generated from non‐antenatally screened populations by ethnic group with English population denominators. Of 714,287 women aged 16–49 years with ethnic group data tested as part of antenatal care between 2015 and 2021, 4174 (0.6%) were HBsAg‐positive; 94% in people of ethnic groups other than White British. Of 1,447,467 people tested for HBsAg with ethnic group data from other testing sources (primary and secondary care excluding occupational health and renal services), 27,628 (1.9%) were HBsAg‐positive; 87% in people of ethnic groups other than White British. We estimate that the overall number and prevalence of people with chronic hepatitis B in England is 268,767 (95% CI: 227,896–314,044) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.50–0.68). Approximately two‐thirds were male, one‐third female, and 68% were aged under 50. We estimate that over 83% of HBV infections are in people of ethnic groups other than White British, with 23% in people from Black ethnic groups, 21% from other White ethnic groups and 19% in Asian ethnic groups. These estimates are the first step towards establishing whether England can meet World Health Organisation targets to eliminate HBV as a public health problem—using methods that can also be used by other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore how socioenvironmental factors may potentially impact health outcomes across different groups of health workers (HWs). Method: Data from the California Healthy Places Index (HPI) and administrative dataset including 12,715 HWs were analyzed using analysis of variance and two-step cluster analysis to evaluate variations in socioenvironmental factors across 11 HW job categories. Results: While physicians had the highest average HPI percentiles (69th percentile) across almost all HPI components, the lower-wage HWs consistently ranked below the state average (50th percentile). Overall, the HPI percentile was lowest for environmental living conditions and pollution for all HCWs (30th percentile). The education (52nd percentile) and economic components (59th percentile) were higher than the state average. Conclusions: The findings from this highlight the importance of socioenvironmental determinants of health-informed employee wellness programs and research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evidence that a healthy and safe workforce provides a competitive business advantage is increasingly clear. However, how to obtain this may be unclear to many. This article presents a case study showcasing how one large employer worked toward improving its culture of health and well-being. Measuring progress using an established corporate health assessment tool, results improved 75% over a 5-year period. In addition, site scan culture checks showed annual improvement, exceeding best-in-class scores by the fifth year. Building a culture of health and well-being often requires a few years to implement fully and involves a commitment to plan, deploy, improve, and manage over time. Ultimately, by following approaches taken by best-in-class employers, this can be accomplished with some ease and without missteps along the way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Compared to workers of larger companies it is less clear what health promoting interventions might be beneficial for employees of small businesses and self-employed individuals. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to critically appraise trials investigating health promotion programs among small business workers and self-employed individuals, by means of a systematic review. METHODS: We conducted a search of primary studies using MEDLINE, Web of Science, LIVIVO and the Cochrane library. Our assessment followed the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and PRISMA. RESULTS: We identified six trials including 5,854 participants from Asia, North America and Australia. Most were of moderate methodological quality, only one was of low quality. Some of the supervised psycho-educational lifestyle programs focusing on individual behavior changes showed benefits in terms of stress reduction and increased physical activity levels among small enterprise employees. CONCLUSIONS: There is a huge knowledge gap on evidence-based health promotion interventions for self-employed and for small business workers, especially in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E-health systems have the potential to improve healthcare delivery and access to medical services in resource-constrained settings. Despite its impact, the system exhibits a low level of consumer acceptance and intention to use it. This research paper aims to analyze the intention of health service employees to use e-health systems in southwest Ethiopia using the UTAUT-2 model. Method: Institutional-based cross-sectional studies were conducted at four referral hospitals (two private and two public) to examine the acceptance of e-health among consumers. Employees who had previous experience with diagnostic information systems and the health logistic information system were given structured questionnaires based on the UTAUT-2 model. The data were analyzed using the PLS-SEM method to identify the key factors that influence the intention to use e-health systems. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and SmartPLS 3 software. Result: Out of the 400 surveyed employees, 225 (56.25%) valid questionnaires were collected. The findings indicate that three factors—effort expectancy (β = 0.276, t = 3.015, p = 0.001), habit (β = 0.309, t = 3.754, p = 0), and performance expectancy (β = 0.179, t = 1.905, p = 0.028)—had a significant positive impact on employees' intention to use e-health systems. On the other hand, factors such as social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and price values did not appear as significant predictors of intention to use e-health. The study model was able to predict 63% of employees' intentions to use e-health systems. Conclusion: Effort expectancy, habit, and performance expectancy were significant predictors of employees' intention to use e-health systems among health service employees in southwest Ethiopia. The study supports the ideas that ease of use, experience with information systems, and the role of the systems in improving job performance contribute to employees' intention to use e-health. Policymakers and healthcare organizations in the region can use these findings to develop strategies for successful implementation and adoption of e-health systems, ultimately improving healthcare services and outcomes for the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) present a major occupational health challenge, especially among office workers. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace intervention program for managing MSDs and measure its impact on presenteeism/absenteeism and health status. Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted between May 2019 and October 2022 in Greece and involved 247 office workers randomly assigned to early and late intervention groups. The intervention included a seminar on ergonomics and proper workstation practices with a demonstration of exercises. Data were collected by the SF-36, the Standardised Nordic, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaires. Results: In the early intervention group (n = 143), presenteeism significantly decreased (p = 0.045), from a mean value of 0.11 to 0.07, but not absenteeism. Significant improvements were observed in physical (p = 0.007) and mental health (p = 0.012). Reductions in pain were recorded for the neck (p = 0.032), shoulders (p = 0.015), wrists (p = 0.014), upper back, lower back, hips, and knees (p = 0.044 for each). In the late intervention group (n=104), there were no significant changes in absenteeism or presenteeism. Mental health improved significantly (p = 0.008), and reductions in pain were noted for the neck (p = 0.001), wrist (p = 0.0005), and upper back (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This workplace intervention program proved effective both in reducing pain in various body areas and reducing presenteeism, and improved physical and mental health were observed in the intervention groups while absenteeism remained unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The rise in remote work and increased access to technology allow opportunity for virtual onboarding. The aim of this project was to assess the quality of virtual onboarding versus the traditional in-person onboarding. Methods:A multidisciplinary team utilized a survey to evaluate staff and new hire candidate satisfaction with the in-person versus virtual post offer placement assessment (POPA). Results: The virtual POPA process maintained a high-level of quality and satisfaction among new hire healthcare candidates compared to in-person onboarding, with shorter appointment times. Employee Occupational Health Services staff and new hire candidates reported a preference for the virtual POPA process over traditional in-person onboarding. Conclusions: The virtual POPA option reduced the length of appointments and maintained satisfaction and quality of service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) staff comprise a large segment of the public sector workforce and experience numerous risk and chronic factors for medical conditions or symptoms. Few health and wellness workplace interventions, however, specifically focus on EHS/HS staff. Methods: A train-the-trainer (TTT) approach was used to build capacity among directors and staff from 57 EHS/HS programs on how to strategically plan and implement a health promoting worksite program focusing on improving nutrition and physical activity practices among EHS/HS staff. Baseline and 3-month post-training questionnaires assessed EHS/HS staff changes on knowledge and practices related to nutrition and physical activity. Paired t-tests or chi2 statistics assessed changes in questionnaire responses over time. Results: 1,363 staff from 57 programs completed baseline and follow-up surveys. Staff had high knowledge regarding healthful dietary patterns at baseline. Over one-third of staff reported drinking soda with meals and almost 50% identified soda as their most common drink. Roughly one-third of staff also reported no physical activity in the prior week at baseline. Staff demonstrated significant improvements in dietary, nutrition, and physical activity practices. Staff also improved grocery shopping behaviors. Implications for Practice: The TTT approach to disseminate an EHS/HS staff-focused health promotion program, "Eat Healthy, Stay Active!' provides a potentially promising strategy to build upon and disseminate more broadly to reach the over >300,000 EHS/HS staff workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Designing and enhancing resilient occupational health and safety systems is a challenge. This fact makes it clear that occupational health professionals must be able to develop their full range of competencies. From this premise, it is appropriate to define and deepen the strengths and weaknesses of occupational health nursing (OHN), as well as to point out the opportunities and realities that address its performance. Sources of evidence: In the history of the professionalization of this speciality, different circumstances have conditioned its projection: the absence of its own body of doctrine, the lack of professional recognition, limited autonomy, and the definition of a clear regulatory framework. In addition to an epistemological limitation and the absence of clear leadership. Discussion: In the consolidation of this speciality, there is a limited capacity to implement its own competencies, the invisibility of nursing care, the absence of leadership that incorporates research findings and difficulties in the application of scientific evidence, in addition to the influence of regulatory provisions and the idiosyncrasies of the company. Conclusions and implications for nursing and health policy: The analysis of classical models with a transformative approach invites a more fluid and coordinated communication between occupational health, occupational risk prevention, primary care and public health, a proposal that induces collaboration and a more holistic approach to care for workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the perception of self‐efficacy on the health professionals of the Spanish out‐of‐hospital emergency services. Design: Observational, cross‐sectional and descriptive with a survey methodology of 1710 participants from Spain (1 February–30 April, 2021). Methods: The mental health of healthcare workers was assesed in terms of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as their self‐efficacy. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to predict these variables. A moderation analysis was conducted to determine the effect of self‐efficacy on mental health. Results: The means of the sample for stress, anxiety, depression and self‐efficacy were 20.60, 15.74, 13.07 and 70.87, respectively. In the regression models, being a woman was the most significant factor for severe mental health impairment. Female gender was also a relevant factor for self‐efficacy. Self‐efficacy had a direct effect on the mental health for working in patient care. Conclusions: Healthcare workers showed moderate stress, severe anxiety, mild depression and good self‐efficacy. Direct patient care was associated with more stress and severe anxiety. Age, female gender, job changes and job adjustment were associated with levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Self‐efficacy is a determining factor of mental health in the direct care modality. Implications: The mental health of healthcare workers has been of great importance in the aftermath of the pandemic, but out‐of‐hospital emergency workers have been neglected in research. The levels of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic justify the creation of prevention and early diagnosis programmes, as they are essential in a health disaster. Surprisingly, their high level of perceived self‐efficacy directly impact on the mental health of patient helthcare workers, so improving it will reduce the psychological risk. Reporting Method: We have followed the STROBE guidelines. It has been partially funded by the Asistencia Sanitanitaria Interprovincial de Seguros ‐ ASISA Foundation (Spain). Patient or Public Contribution: 'No patient or public involvement'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: People with acquired brain injuries (ABIs) often experience residual limitations and co-morbid mental illnesses that restrict work participation. Employers are key in enabling successful return-to-work and job retention. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to explore employers' perspectives of factors influencing their support for people with ABIs and/or mental illness to return to- and stay in work. Review questions focused on barriers and facilitators to their support, and contextual characteristics present at the time. METHODS: Five databases were searched from October 2010 until November 2023 for relevant qualitative studies published in English. Findings from included studies (N = 25) were synthesised using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Included studies focused on employees with ABI or mental illness, rather than dually diagnosed ABI and mental illness. Employers' support was influenced by their awareness/knowledge of- and attitudes towards the employee's condition/illness; their skills and experience in supportive strategies; factors related to provision of work accommodations; and stakeholder influence. Similarities and differences in influential factors were observed across the ABI and mental illness literature. Contextual characteristics related to organisational characteristics, cultural taboo, and involvement of certain stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: ABI survivors (with and without co-morbid mental illness) and their employers may benefit from specialist support and resources to guide them through the return-to-work process. Further research is needed to investigate employers' knowledge of ABI and mental illness and supportive strategies. Exploration of the influence of other stakeholders, socio-demographic characteristics, and contextual factors on employers' return-to-work and retention support for ABI survivors with co-morbid mental illness is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Workplace health promotion (WHP) in Germany is receiving increasing support from health insurance funds. Nevertheless, there is hardly any knowledge on the process of how health outcomes are achieved, especially in nursing. The aim of the study was to find out how and what can be implemented in different care settings and to examine the reactions and interactions of the participants under routine conditions. Methods: Guided by a logic model, a holistic WHP approach was implemented in four acute care hospitals, seven inpatient care facilities and four outpatient care services from April 2021 to October 2022. Data on realized WHP interventions, participant assessment and topics of work design was collected and analyzed descriptively. Results: The realized WHP interventions were adapted depending on the content and context. Mainly short relaxation interventions were delivered or those with an event character were received by participants. The highest participation rate of planned participants was achieved in team building training. Participants predominantly assessed WHP interventions as useful, the quality as (very) good and were generally (very) satisfied with the intervention components. For work design topics, intentions for the design of work organization were mainly documented in action plans. Conclusion: Cooperation with practitioners in research should be continued as a contribution to quality development. This could provide suggestions as to which content adjustments lead to greater acceptance by the target group in a specific context. Trial registration: The project was registered in the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00024961, 2021/04/09). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We examined how work-related factors associate with several health behaviours that appear together among the large, but less-studied, blue- and pink-collar worker group, which is characterized by low education and income levels. Methods: In 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among private sector service workers (n = 5256) in Finland. We applied two-step cluster analysis to identify groups on the basis of leisure-time physical activity, sleep adequacy, frequency of heavy drinking, smoking status, and frequency of fruit, vegetable and berry consumption. We examined the associations with work-related factors, using multinomial regression analyses and adjusting for confounding factors. Results: We identified six clusters labelled as Moderately Healthy (28% of the participants), Healthy – Vigorous Exercise (19%), Sedentary Lifestyle (16%), Inadequate Sleep (15%), Mixed Health Behaviours (15%), and Multiple Risk Behaviours (8%). Those who perceived their work to be mentally or physically strenuous more commonly belonged to the Inadequate Sleep and Multiple Risk Behaviours clusters. Time pressure made belonging to the Inadequate Sleep, Mixed Health Behaviours, and Multiple Risk Behaviours clusters more likely. Those who were dissatisfied with their work more often belonged to the Healthy – Vigorous Exercise, Inadequate Sleep, and Multiple Risk Behaviours clusters. Conclusion: In addition of finding several considerably differing health behaviour clusters, we also found that adverse working conditions were associated with clusters characterized by multiple risk behaviours, especially inadequate sleep. Private-sector service workers' working conditions should be improved so that they support sufficient recovery, and occupational health services should better identify co-occurring multiple risk behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to Identify the quality of working life and its impact on the quality of health services provided at the Yemeni University of Science and Technology Hospital, the research used the descriptive approach (case study and the study was limited All workers at the University of Science and Technology Hospital (medical and administrative) amounting to (1150) individuals, where a simple random sample of them (297) individuals was chosen, and a soft sample was chosen from the beneficiaries (patients) whose number reached (247) individuals. The study tool was The questionnaire and for analyzing the data, the research used the SPSS program ، and the study reached several results, most notably. The level of quality of working life In general (average). Opportunities for promotion and career advancement, wages and bonuses). The level of quality of health services in general (high) from the point of view of the hospital staff as well as the beneficiaries (patients). -There is a statistically significant effect for each of the eight dimensions of the quality of working life on the quality of health services for the employees of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Acceptance – the second main hypothesis, which states that "there are no statistically significant differences between the opinions of the study sample about the level of quality of work life due to the following variables (type, academic qualification, nature of work, job title, years. Experience). - Accepting the third main hypothesis, which states that “there are no statistically significant differences between the opinions of the study sample about the level of quality of health services provided due to the following variables (type, academic qualification, nature of work, job title، years of experience. -There are statistically significant differences between the responses of the sample members (workers and beneficiaries) towards the level of quality of health services provided with regard to the two dimensions. (tangibility) (reliability) The differences were in favor of the beneficiaries. There are no statistically significant differences between the responses of the respondents (workers and beneficiaries) towards the level of quality of health services provided with regard to the dimensions of (response) (safety) (empathy) (quality of health services provided), thus rejecting the fourth main hypothesis and accepting the alternative hypothesis، which states that there are Statistically significant differences between the opinions of employees and beneficiaries about the level of quality of health services provided at the University of Science and Technology Hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the enormous scale of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the healthcare sector, limited human resource capacity, and efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, occupational health protection could not escape changes. The aim was to identify and compare the regulations regarding the provision of medical occupational check-ups (MOCs) during the pandemic in all European Union member states (EU MS). The study employed the Delphi method, involving experts from EU MS to assess MOC regulations between January 2020 and May 2021. Experts were queried regarding the existence and specifics of MOC regulations, particularly for entrance and periodic MOCs at hazardous and non-hazardous workplaces. Out of the 27 EU MS surveyed, 13 EU MS did not regulate MOCs, while 14 EU MS (51.6%) regulated the provision of MOCs. The regulations were changes in the way MOCs were provided, modifications (postponement in time, alternative provision, e.g. using telemedicine or online connection, or replacing the medical certificate of fitness to work based on the MOC with a declaration by the worker), or interruption without compensation, even for hazardous works. The regulations were in effect for different lengths of time and varied in some countries during the study period. The cumulative duration of MOC interruptions in all EU MS during the study period was 137 months (7.5% of the cumulative study period of 1836 months). Given the different approaches to the provision of MOCs in EU MS, it has proved appropriate to develop an optimal unified framework plan for future similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Worker trust in employer‐provided occupational health services has not been explored in essential industries, such as meatpacking. The purpose of this study was to describe workplace health culture and trust in the occupational health office and highlight meatpacking workers' experiences with the occupational health office. Methods: Meatpacking workers were surveyed between February 2021 and October 2022. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were used to explore trust across demographic variables, including workplace health culture. Thematic analysis was used to examine the short‐answer qualitative data. Results: Among workers who completed surveys (n = 731), health culture was rated low (M = 1.3 (0.73); possible range 0‐3). Trust in the occupational health office was also rated low (M = 8.2 (5.06); possible range 0–20). Workers' descriptions of interactions with the occupational health office were mostly unfavorable (287 negative opinion units; 97 positive opinion units) and primarily focused on quality of care, communication, the supervisor as gatekeeper to health services, and the prioritization of company interests. Conclusion: Meatpacking worker health may be improved by building worker trust in the occupational health office. Suggested strategies include enhanced communication, protection of confidentiality, prioritization of worker well‐being, and promotion of a stronger health culture in plants and throughout the industry. Supporting workers without a regular healthcare provider to establish a relationship with a primary care provider of their choice is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nővér is the property of Chamber of Hungarian Health Care Professionals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This document is a letter discussing the incidence and risk factors of cutaneous reactions to the first COVID-19 booster vaccine. The study included healthcare employees who received the first mRNA COVID-19 booster and completed a symptom survey within 3 days post-vaccination. The results showed that 2.4% of recipients experienced cutaneous reactions, such as itching, rash, hives, and swelling. Asian race was associated with a higher risk of cutaneous reactions, particularly itching and swelling. The study suggests that additional research is needed to investigate Asian race as a potential risk factor for cutaneous reactions after mRNA vaccines. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Kitchen workers face a disproportionately high risk of injuries and illnesses. Yet, despite the ubiquity of kitchen-related injuries, there has been a relative lack of comprehensive research on this topic, particularly in developing countries. Ain Shams University, as a prestigious educational institution with its diverse kitchen staff, provides an ideal setting for studying the challenges faced in professional kitchens. This study aims to measure the prevalence of work-related injuries and illnesses among kitchen workers of two major students' hostels at Ain Shams University in Cairo and to explore their risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study involving kitchen staff from two hostels that house students at the university was carried out in 2021. The study involved all kitchen staff in the dorms for students (n = 128). Data was collected using a structured interview questionnaire. Results: The findings showed a significant prevalence of work-related illnesses (81.3%) and injuries (77.3%) among restaurant employees. Age, education, and job type all had a statistically significant relationship with the frequency of work-related injuries over the previous year. Additionally, there was a statistically significant relationship between age, job type, and the frequency of diseases among kitchen workers (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Cooks and other food service employees are more susceptible to occupational diseases and injuries in the workplace. Restaurants and the university hostel authorities should implement preventative measures and policies to lower the risk of harm among these employees by offering occupational health and safety services such as training and education programs, personal protective equipment, and regular health examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paediatric critical care (PCC) is a high-pressure working environment. Staff experience high levels of burnout, symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and moral distress. Aim: To understand challenges to workplace well-being in PCC to help inform the development of staff interventions to improve and maintain well-being. Study Design: The Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT) was used. ECIT encompasses semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. We identified 'critical incidents', challenges to well-being, categorized them in a meaningful way, and identified factors which helped and hindered in those moments. Fifty-three nurses and doctors from a large UK quaternary PCC unit were consented to take part. Results: Themes generated are: Context of working in PCC, which examined staff's experiences of working in PCC generally and during COVID-19; Patient care and moral distress explored significant challenges to well-being faced by staff caring for increasingly complex and chronically ill patients; Teamwork and leadership demonstrated the importance of team-belonging and clear leadership; Changing workforce explored the impact of staffing shortages and the ageing workforce on well-being; and Satisfying basic human needs, which identified absences in basic requirements of food and rest. Conclusions: Staff's experiential accounts demonstrated a clear need for psychologically informed environments to enable the sharing of vulnerabilities, foster support, and maintain workplace well-being. Themes resonated with the self-determination theory and Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which outline requirements for fulfilment (self-actualization). Relevance to Clinical Practice: Well-being interventions must be informed by psychological theory and evidence. Recommendations are flexible rostering, advanced communication training, psychologically-informed support, supervision/mentoring training, adequate accommodation and hot food. Investment is required to develop successful interventions to improve workplace well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Since many childbirth education (CBE) courses have moved online, there is a need for a pedagogical design model for online learning. In this study, an online CBE course was flipped, user studies were conducted, and a pedagogical design model was developed. Flipped learning was chosen as it combines asynchronous and synchronous learning activities. The developed model was further strengthened by conducting a pilot study with public health nurses. User data were collected with questionnaires and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The results show that in informal learning settings, emphasis should be on which elements are asynchronous or synchronous and mandatory or voluntary. Additionally, time management and interaction between participants and their peers and the instructor should be considered for future training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Health care workers are crucial for a productive and thriving health care system, yet the health and lifestyle behaviour of key groups within this workforce (for example nurses and healthcare assistants/support workers) is typically poor. The extent of health and wellbeing documents that guide action towards improving their health and wellbeing is unknown. Using one health care system, NHS Scotland, as an example, the aim of this study was to assess the number of NHS health boards with workplace documents focused on health and wellbeing of employees, the quality of these documents and the extent to which they reference lifestyle behaviours, namely physical activity. Methods: Documentary analysis was undertaken on employee health and wellbeing policies (and wider documents). These were sourced through online searches on Google search engine and Freedom of Information Requests sent to all 14 Scottish NHS Health Boards. Titles and content were assessed for relevance to employee health and wellbeing. Content analysis was used to analyse the included documents against eight predefined codes. Results: Thirteen documents were retrieved with 11 of the 14 Health Boards having at least one relevant document. The content varied greatly between documents with regards to how many reported the eight codes and the quality of content within these. Nine documents mentioned physical activity but mainly in relation to current activities rather than in the context of a future healthy workforce. Conclusions: Despite the importance of a healthy, health care workforce, more work is needed to ensure high level documents are able to support these efforts, especially with reference to lifestyle behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of holistic nursing research is to develop and expand the knowledge base of holism and healing for nursing praxis. This article provides an overview of the process used to identify the research priorities for holistic nursing research over the next 3 to 5 years. A mixed method design using Appreciative Inquiry and surveys revealed five research priorities and the holistic philosophical foundation for these priorities. Additionally, new challenges in the environment, person, health, and nursing will undoubtedly emerge, requiring nurses to discern the research needs beyond 2026. This work seeks to inspire holistic nurses to consider research related to the American Holistic Nurses Association's five key research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Occupational Health Service (OHS) is a service that should support employers and employees with their work environment. Previous research indicates the need for deeper knowledge about the effect of workplace interventions with a focus on planning, organizing and designing the workplace to improve work conditions in hospital settings. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the outcomes, workplace interventions and intervention strategies in hospital settings. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched in September 2021. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Study results are presented through a narrative synthesis. A protocol for this study was registered on the Open Science Framework. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies, published between 2010 and 2021, were included. These included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and mixed methods reports with moderate to good quality. The results support the use of workplace interventions to improve work conditions, health, and well-being in hospital settings. Combinations of different interventions, tailored to the specific organization, were used. Important intervention strategies commonly used in the start-up, evaluation, and intervention of successful workplace interventions, were identified. Using a pragmatist complexity approach in workplace interventions can improve outcomes by providing clear intervention strategies and combinations of tailored interventions, related to context specific problems. CONCLUSION: OHS support in workplace interventions with clear intervention strategies will contribute to improve work conditions, health and well-being in hospital settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erja Sormunen, Sanna Pesonen, Pauliina Toivio, Sari Nissinen Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandCorrespondence: Erja Sormunen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 b, Helsinki, 00250, Finland, Tel +358438241344, Email erja.sormunen@ttl.fiBackground: Multiprofessional and client-oriented approaches are considered key factors for successful occupational health services, and for impressive occupational health cooperation between a client organisation and occupational health service provider. The purpose of this study was to find out the views of occupational health physicians, occupational health nurses, occupational physiotherapists, and occupational health psychologists about multiprofessional and client-oriented working methods. These working methods describe the guidelines for good occupational health practice in Finland, also serving the framework of the present study.Material and Methods: The survey was conducted in May and June 2022. The data consisted of answers to open-ended questions of a larger questionnaire. The data was analysed with the method of theory-related thematic analysis. Seven occupational health service providers committed to the study. Altogether 121 professionals responded to the question surveying the multiprofessional approach, and 119 professionals responded to the question of client-oriented approach.Results: The results showed that both the multiprofessional and client-oriented approaches are closely related to each other, and the views of these approaches are in line with the good occupational health practice. Multiprofessional approach was most commonly described with the theme of sharing expertise. Respectively, the theme of smooth cooperation most commonly described the client-oriented approach. At its best, the answers showed that a multiprofessional working strategy takes into account the expertise of different professionals so that the client can be offered high-quality, accurate content and timely occupational health services.Conclusion: The results provide up-to-date information on working strategies of occupational health services in Finland. The results can be used in further development of multiprofessional and client-oriented work in occupational health services.Keywords: occupational health services, multiprofessional work, client-oriented work, qualitative research

Hospital managers should target occupational risks and harm prevention since this can contribute to the quality of life at work and patient safety. This article aims to elucidate the activity of prevention of occupational risks and injuries in the hospital setting based on analysis of historical and empirical contradictions of the activity system. An exploratory qualitative study grounded in the Cultural-Historical Activity Theory was conducted at a university hospital in the state of São Paulo. Data were collected between September 2021 and January 2022 via individual semi-structured interviews of 9 professionals from the Occupational Health and Safety services and of five hospital managers, involving 20 hours of field observation and document analysis. Despite the expansion of the object of prevention activity, the other elements of the activity system did not adapt to the new demands, causing incompatibilities and contradictions that compromised the attainment of the expected outcomes. The main response actions observed were centered on complying with regulatory items, such as team composition, medical examinations and others, that contribute little toward promoting occupational health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly contagious diseases, such as mumps, are a global concern as new epidemics continue to emerge, even in highly vaccinated populations. The risk of transmission and spread of these viruses is even higher for individuals who are more likely to be exposed, including healthcare workers (HCWs). In healthcare settings, both HCWs and patients are at risk of infection during the care process, potentially leading to nosocomial epidemic outbreaks. Mumps is often underestimated compared with measles and rubella, despite being milder and less likely to spread. In fact, the risk of complications following mumps infection is extremely high, especially if the disease occurs in adulthood. The measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine has been shown to be an excellent preventive measure. Unfortunately, the mumps component appears to be less effective in inducing immunity than those for measles and rubella (two-dose effectiveness of 85%, 95% and 97%, respectively). The main aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of detectable mumps antibodies (serum IgG antibodies) in a cohort of Italian and foreign HCWs in relation to personal and occupational factors. We included in the study 468 subjects who underwent health surveillance at the Occupational Medicine Unit of the Tor Vergata Polyclinic in Rome during the period from January 2021 to March 2023. In our study, the proportion of HCWs found to be unprotected against mumps was very high (8.3%), and those found to be immune are below the WHO threshold for herd immunity (95%). From our data, it seems essential that all occupational health services carry out an accurate screening with a dose of anti-mumps antibodies to assess serological protection before starting a job, regardless of an individual's vaccination history. This approach is proving to be beneficial, accurate, as it allows all serologically non-immune individuals to be vaccinated in the workplace, including those who would be protected by their vaccination history but have lost the antibody response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Developing a valid tool to measure perceived social responsibility (SR) practices towards employees and examining the impact of employee-centered SR considerations on the employees' job satisfaction. Methods: A cross sectional survey of employees at three private hospitals was conducted. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. It consists of baseline characteristics, structured SR measuring scale, job satisfaction questionnaire and Perception of Empowerment Instrument (PEI). Results: The questionnaire developed to measure SR towards employees showed excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha is > 0.7). A considerable number of SR criteria were perceived as partially or fully met by the majority of studied employees except for rewarding, training activities, salary satisfaction and enhancement activities. Significant correlation was found between employees' job satisfaction and all domains of SR as well as employees' empowerment. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that significant predictors of employee's satisfaction are fulfillment of economic and social responsibility criteria as well as the level of perceived empowerment. Conclusions: In healthcare industry in Egypt, fulfillment of the basis for SR is one of the predictors of achieving high job satisfaction. Extra-performance rewarding and career development should be looked at while managing human resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTo explore the experiences and needs concerning work-focused healthcare of patients experiencing problems with work participation due to cardiovascular disease based on all facets of person-centred care.Nineteen patients who experienced or continue to experience problems with work participation due to cardiovascular disease participated in semi-structured interviews preceded by preparatory written assignments. The transcripts were analysed by means of directed qualitative content analysis. Adapted principles of the Picker Institute for Person-Centred Care provided a template for the analysis.28 experiences and needs emerged and were grouped into the eight principles for person-centred work-focused healthcare. Randomly presenting one theme for each of the eight principles, the themes included: (1) frequent encounters with occupational healthcare professionals; (2) substantive work-related advice; (3) transparency in communication; (4) support for family; (5) information provision on the work-focused healthcare process; (6) personal control during the process; (7) empathy for the personal situation; and (8) tailored work-focused support.The identified experiences and needs for work-focused healthcare of patients experiencing problems with work participation due to cardiovascular disease clearly indicate the need to improve the delivery of person-centred work-focused healthcare to better meet the individual needs of patients.Provided work-focused healthcare services do not always align with the patient’s needs when experiencing disease-related sick leave, potentially impacting their ability to stay in or return to work.This overview of patients’ experiences and needs for work-focused healthcare may provide professionals with better insight into the patients’ needs and aids to adapt the healthcare provision to these needs.When professionals target the patient’s needs, it may facilitate better provision of person-centred work-focused healthcare.Provided work-focused healthcare services do not always align with the patient’s needs when experiencing disease-related sick leave, potentially impacting their ability to stay in or return to work.This overview of patients’ experiences and needs for work-focused healthcare may provide professionals with better insight into the patients’ needs and aids to adapt the healthcare provision to these needs.When professionals target the patient’s needs, it may facilitate better provision of person-centred work-focused healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health status of the service sector workforce is a significant unknown in the field of medical geography. While spatial epidemiology has made progress in predicting the relationship between human health and the environment, there are still important challenges that remain unsolved. The main issue lies in the inability to statistically determine and visually represent all spatial concepts, as there is a need to cover a wide range of service activities while also considering the impact of numerous traditional medical variables and emerging risk factors, such as those related to socioeconomic and bioclimatic factors. This study aims to address the needs of health professionals by defining, prioritizing, and visualizing multiple occupational health risk factors that contribute to the well-being of workers. To achieve this, a methodological approach based on the synergy of Bayesian machine learning and geostatistics is proposed. Extensive data from occupational health surveillance tests were collected in Spain, along with socioeconomic and bioclimatic covariates, to assess potential social and climate impacts on health. This integrated approach enabled the identification of relevant patterns related to risk factors. A three-step geostatistical modeling process, including variography, ordinary kriging, and G clustering, was used to generate national distribution maps for various factors such as annual mean temperature, annual rainfall, spine health, limb health, cholesterol, age, and sleep quality. These maps considered four target activities—administration, finances, education, and hospitality. Remarkably, bioclimatic variables were found to contribute approximately 9% to the overall health status of workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related injuries and diseases have a significant impact on workers and their families, society, and the economy. There is a gap in the literature regarding the structures, content, quality, and outcomes of international occupational health systems serving injured and ill workers. This global round table was an attempt to elucidate, evaluate, and identify areas needing improvement. Methods: International occupational health professionals were identified via chain/snowball sampling and asked to answer five questions designed to evaluate the structures, processes, and outcomes of the workers' compensation systems in each country. Findings: Areas for improvement identified during this round table included timely access, reducing the impact of liability and eligibility determinations on access to medical care, equitable access to care, and the accuracy of reporting. Canada had successfully utilized a virtual approach to care for the geographically remote worker. Conclusions: International workers' compensation structures are designed to ensure timely access to quality care and services. Financial incentives optimize the safety of the working environment. There remain areas for improvement. Resources are limited, especially within the public health systems, which may delay care and affect quality. Informal and remote workers often do not have the same access to care. Occupational Health Services (OHS) and national reporting databases exist throughout the world but may not accurately capture data on informal, self-employed, small business, migrant, and remote workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Directive 2013/35/EU is the main European document providing minimum health and safety requirements for the exposure of workers to electromagnetic fields. It is in force for more than 10 years. In Bulgaria it is transposed by Ordinance No RD-07-5 of the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health in 2016. The document is based on a completely new philosophy and approaches to exposure and risk assessment of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), as well as implements some new physical parameters. It is very complex for practical use by employers and this is one of the reasons for limited application of the document. To assess the occupational EMF exposure, it is necessary to systematize the criteria for performing measurements, summarizing the methods for EMF measurement, which field parameters should be assessed, to set requirements concerning measuring equipment, and the competence of the personnel performing exposure assessment. Our experience shows that there is a lack of specific practical guidance and requirements for good practices in EMF exposure assessment. The practical guides that are parts of the EU Directive (Art. 15) are a good basis for understanding the directive, but as they are not comprehensible to persons with insufficient competence in the field of EMF exposure assessment. As a result they are not sufficiently applicable in practice. A practical guide combining solution approaches for all these issues will serve occupational health services, sanitary engineers and other professionals to apply protocols specifically designed to assess EMF exposures in a specific work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the possible association between health and wellness initiative (HWI) participation and illness related absenteeism (IRA) and turnover overtime. Methods: The IRA (2016-2019) and turnover (2016-2020) analysis consisted of a time-series design. The IRA analysis used a comparison group with propensity score matching based on select demographics and linear mixed-effects regression modeling. Logistic regression was used to measure the relationship between 2016 participation in the HWI on 2017--2020 turnover. Results: The percent increase when comparing 2016 and 2019 IRA is lower for participants (15.8%) than nonparticipants (50.0%, P> 0.001). The results also show that participating in the HWI in 2016 is associated with lower odds of subsequent turnover (odds ratio = 0.90). Conclusions: Employers may consider implementing a comprehensive health and wellness program as part of their strategy to assist in lower IRA increases and turnover overtime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the health services offered are very important to guarantee access to quality health and promote well-being for all, at all ages, as recommended in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. This study aims to assess the degree of satisfaction of users of the Occupational Health Service of the Tete Provincial Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The data was collected between September 15th and December 20th, 2022, for 335 participants through a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the data. Overall satisfaction was 87.5% (293/335). Participants age, gender, marital status, and level of education were associated with overall satisfaction (p < 0.001). The factors that influence the satisfaction of users of the Occupational Health Service were the cleanliness of the hospital, opening hours, ease of care, speed and waiting time. The satisfaction of users of the Occupational Health Service of the Tete Provincial Hospital was high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Occupational Health Services (OHS) workers in the police are exposed to stressful and pressurized environments where they try to help employees deal with serious physical and mental health conditions. Aims This study used psychological surveillance to identify the level of mental health conditions within each of the police OHS (POHS) roles and to identify whether it was possible to identify the main hazards and resilience factors related to these conditions. Methods Data on mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and secondary trauma) were gathered with questionnaires measuring lifestyle, coping skills, workability and illness behaviour. Personal information and average symptoms, hazards, and resilience factors were measured and compared between the POHS groups. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the variable that explained the symptoms' level. Results Data were gathered from 251 POHS team members working in multidisciplinary services, including OH physicians, psychologists, advisors, nurses, technicians, well-being and administrators. The results showed that POHS teams are experiencing levels of symptoms significantly higher than those found in the general population and that OH counsellors had lower levels of symptoms and sickness absence than their colleagues. The stepwise regression identified managing workloads to be associated with lower symptom levels. Conclusions The findings illustrated the importance of a manageable workload, a stable, resilient personality and a positive attitude towards work. Using coping skills, including physical fitness, social support, involvement and getting enough sleep is associated with lower anxiety, depression, PTSD and secondary trauma symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Job-exposure matrices (JEMs) are often used for exposure assessment in occupational exposure and epidemiology studies. However, general population JEMs are difficult to find and access for workers in the United States of America. Objective We aimed to use publicly available information to develop a JEM-like exposure assessment method to determine exposure to a wide range of occupational agents in a wide range of occupations for US general population studies. Methods We used information from the US Department of Labor's Occupational Information Network database (O*NET) for 19,636 job tasks and 974 civilian occupations. We used automated keyword searches to identify 1,804 job tasks that involved exposure to 50 occupational agents. We had 2 reviewers determine whether each identified job task actually involved exposure to the 50 occupational agents. We had a third reviewer, a certified industrial hygienist, assess any job task and exposure for which the first 2 reviewers disagreed. For each U.S. Census 2010 occupation code, we used this information to derive 3 exposure variables for each occupational agent: ever exposure, number of job tasks of exposure, and frequency of exposure. Results Our keyword searches identified a median of 10 (interquartile range [IQR]: 43.75) job tasks for each occupational agent, and the maximum was 308. We determined job tasks actually involved exposure to 45 occupational agents, including solvents, air pollution, pesticides, radiation, metals, etc. We derived the 3 exposure variables for these 45 occupational agents for 516 U.S. Census 2010 occupation codes. The median percentage for ever exposure to individual occupational agents was 1.16% (IQR: 1.74%), and the maximum was 11.43%. Conclusions Our JEM-like exposure assessment method based on O*NET information can be used to determine exposure to a wide range of occupational agents in a wide range of occupations for the US general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to investigate occupational health (OH) primary-care patients' use of other health-care services and whether parallel use affects their likelihood to have sickness absences (SA) or disability pensions (DP). Methods: Primary-care services in Finland are provided through three parallel health-care sectors, all available to the working population: public, private and OH sectors. Patients may also be referred to secondary care. This follow-up study combines real-world medical record data containing SA data from a nationwide OH provider with health-care attendance data from public and private primary-care sectors and public secondary care, sociodemographic data and DP decisions. Patients between 18 and 68 years of age who used OH primary care at least once during the study years 2014–2016 were included. The total study population comprised 59,650 patients. Odds ratios were used to analyse association between parallel service use and SA or DP. Results: Females and patients with a lower educational level were more likely to use services in other health-care sectors in addition to OH than others. Those patients who used any other health-care sector in addition to OH primary care had an increased likelihood of having long SA or receiving DP. Conclusions: OH primary-care patients using the services of several health-care sectors in parallel have an increased likelihood of receiving disability benefits – either SA or DP. There is need for care coordination to ensure adequate measures for work-ability support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on exploring the relationship between occupational health, rural industries, and social determinants of health. Topics include the creation of industry-specific databases, disparities in health outcomes between urban and rural areas, and opportunities for collaboration between occupational safety and health (OSH) and rural health communities to address rural worker health issues.

Objective: To explore perceptions of women in the Chittoor district regarding the PAP smear as a cervical cancer screening test. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 2141 in OPD patients of obstetrics and gynecology department, healthcare workers working in institute of AIMSR and Government hospital, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh in study duration of six months. All categorical data were presented as numbers and percentages. Results: Among the total study population (2141), 59.8% had not known about cervical cancer screening test. 22.5% of the study population is familiar about pap smear through health care workers. 68.6% of the population did not know about the importance of pap smears. Among the total population astonishingly 94.2% are interested in knowing about PAP smear which is a cervical cancer screening test. Conclusions: Our research indicates that the populace of the Chittoor district has an unacceptable level of knowledge and attitude about PAP smears. The importance of screening tests in detecting cervical cancer early, when it is still curable, must thus be properly communicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians demonstrate a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions that place them at risk for early mortality. Workplace health promotion programs improve health outcomes, but the availably of such programs for EMS clinicians has not been described. We investigate the availability, scope, and participation of workplace health promotion programs available to EMS clinicians in North Carolina (NC). We administered an electronic survey based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Worksite Health ScoreCard to key representatives of EMS agencies within NC that provide primarily transport-capable 9-1-1 response with ground ambulances. We collected information on agency size, rurality, elements of health promotion programs offered, incentives for participation, and participation rate. We calculated descriptive statistics using frequency and percentage for worksite and health promotion program characteristics. We compared the participation rate for agencies who did and did not incentivize participation using Fisher's exact test. Complete responses were received from 69 of 92 agencies (response = 75%) that collectively employ 6679 EMS clinicians [median employees per agency 71 (IQR 50–131)]. Most agencies (88.4%, 61/69) offered at least one element of a worksite health program, but only 13.0% (9/69) offered all elements of a worksite health program. In descending order, the availability of program elements were employee assistance programs (73.9%, 51/69), supportive physical and social environment (66.7%, 46/69), health education (62.3%, 43/69), health risk assessments (52.2%, 36/69), and organization culture of health promotion (20.3%, 14/69). Of agencies with programs, few (11.5%, 7/61) required participation, but most (59.0%, 36/61) offered incentives to participate. Participation rates were <25% among nearly all of the agencies that did not offer incentives, but >50% among most agencies that did offer incentives (p < 0.001). While most agencies offer at least one element of a worksite health promotion program, few agencies offer all elements and participation rates are low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There is need for more knowledge about the relationship between work and cognitive functioning in sick-listed individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether the degree of work participation is relevant for recovery of cognitive functioning in sick-listed individuals. METHODS: 177 occupational rehabilitation participants and 70 controls participated in a non-randomised, longitudinal study. Participants completed computerised cognitive tests targeting sustained attention and working memory at start and end of rehabilitation and 3 and 12 months after rehabilitation. The change score performance in attention and memory between start and end, start and 3 months and 12 months was compared in individuals on sick leave 100–75%, 74–40% and 39–0% (three sick leave groups) of the time in the year after rehabilitation, and a control group not being on sick leave. Fixed effect analysis of covariance adjusting for education and work ability was used. RESULTS: The sick leave group 100–75% had significantly lower score on work ability compared to the other groups at baseline. The main findings indicated that the sick leave group 39–0% improved significantly more in sustained attention compared to the sick leave group 100–75% between start and end of rehabilitation and from start of rehabilitation to 3 and 12 months after. CONCLUSION: The degree of work participation seems relevant to recovery of the cognitive function sustained attention in sick-listed individuals. These findings encourage work rehabilitation clinicians, work consultants and employers to develop RTW plans which take into account that graded employment influence cognitive functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Based on the theoretical framework of the Model of Preventive Behaviours at Work, the aim of this study was to describe the the occupational rehabilitation strategies the literature reports that support workers who have suffered an occupational injury in adopting preventive behaviours. Methods: To conduct this scoping review, we used a systematic methodology in 7 steps : (1) definition of the research question and inclusion/exclusion criteria; (2) scientific and gray literature search; (3) determination of manuscripts' eligibility; (4) extraction and charting of information; (5) quality assessment; (6) interpretation; and (7) knowledge synthesis. Results: We selected 46 manuscripts of various types (e.g. randomized trials, qualitative studies, governmental documents). Manuscripts were mainly of good or high quality according to our quality assessment. The strategies for coaching, engaging, educating and collaborating were mostly reported in the literature to support the development of the six preventive behaviours during occupational rehabilitation. The results also suggest that heterogeneity exists regarding the specificity of the strategies reported in the literature, which may have hindered our ability to provide rich and detailed descriptions. Literature also mainly describes individually oriented behaviours and reports strategies requiring a low level of worker involvement, which represent issues to adress in future researh projects. Conclusion: The strategies described in this article reprensent concrete levers that occupational rehabilitation professionals can use to support workers in the adoption of preventive behaviours at work on return from having suffered an occupational injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To establish the lower limits of normative values of the physical work capacity for Korean farmers in healthy working individual. Methods We developed a comprehensive set of physical work capacity evaluation items that encompass common farming tasks. These items include measurements of trunk flexion/extension angles, strength (hand grip, trunk flexion/extension, leg/back lifting, and pushing/pulling), and positional tolerances. We calculated the normative values for the items and defined the normal range in 124 healthy volunteers aged 20–79 years. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to validate the test-retest reliability of the measurements protocol. Results The normal values for each measurement item were as follows: trunk flexion and extension angle (65.3°±11.6° and 29.6°±6.6°), dominant hand grip strength (32.2±10.5 kgf), trunk flexion and extension strength (288.4±119.0 N and 297.3±129.9 N), leg and back lifting strength (452.9±233.5 N and 349.2±166.7 N), pushing and pulling strength (214.7±75.1 N and 221.7±63.3 N), and positional tolerance time (squat: 76.8±9.0 seconds, front: 73.8±7.7 seconds, twist: 82.2±8.8 seconds, upward: 71.9±11.3 seconds). Regarding test-retest reliability, all strength measurements demonstrated excellent absolute agreement (ICC, 0.91–0.96). However, positional tolerance showed poor-to-moderate absolute agreement (ICC, 0.37–0.58). Conclusion We conducted measurements of muscle strength and positional tolerance in healthy participants of various ages, focusing on tasks commonly performed by Korean farmers. The outcomes hold significant value as they offer a pertinent instrument for assessing the appropriateness of workers, thereby carrying implications for rehabilitation objectives, legal evaluations, and work capacity assessments within the agricultural domain.