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Summary: Objectives: Prevention at the worksite is considered increasingly important. This paper describes the methods used in a nationwide prevention campaign performed at a large Swiss bank and a Swiss industrial company. The aim of this project was to encourage general health awareness among company employees. We also aimed to provide the companies with general health analyses of their staff as a basis for future health promotion. Furthermore, new screening methods were evaluated in the field of research. Methods: Participation in the programme was voluntary and free of charge. The programme targeted all 25243 employees of the two companies in all regions of Switzerland. A mobile unit was available on site. The programme included a written health questionnaire and medical examinations (e.g., blood pressure, blood tests, ultrasound of the common carotid artery, osteodensitometry, examinations of the eye, etc). Analysis of individual test results, information brochures, and a telephone information service were also provided. Based on the data of the individuals, the "health status” of the employees of the two companies was analysed. The companies did not have access to the data of the individuals. The programme ran from August 1996 to August 1998. Results: With a total of 10 321 persons taking part in the project, the participation rate was 41%. For the different examinations offered, patterns of participation were identifiable that varied with age, hierarchical status within the concern, body mass index, and number of physical complaints of the employee. Some of the variables showed the same trend for different tests, while others showed opposite trends. Conclusions: Participation in worksite health promotion programmes is dependent on a complex system of individual and structural variables that need to be considered when planning worksite health promotion programmes. Consideration of specific target population characteristics, including motivations and incentives

Objective: To examine the factors associated with back pain within a working population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of employees using a self-administered questionnaire and physical fitness tests. This study assessed 10,321 participants (6,251 male and 4,070 female) of two nationwide companies throughout Switzerland between 1996 and 1998. The participation rate was 41%. Results: Of the participants, 4,945 (48%) suffered mild back pain and 696 (7%) suffered severe back pain. Reported "stress” was associated with back pain of any intensity. Abdominal muscle strength was inversely associated with severe back pain, while physical activity was non-linearly associated with severe back pain. Smoking was directly associated with any intensity of back pain. The variables gender, obesity, strength of the abdominal musculature and frequency of physical activity were insignificant for back pain of any intensity in multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Our results confirm the association of back pain with physical and behavioural factors. The non-linear relationship between physical activity and back pain may need further examination. Performing any kind of sport three to four times a week appears optimal

PFC del programa Erasmus EPS elaborat a Fachhochschule Kiel, Treball desenvolupat dins el marc del programa 'European Project Semester'., (1) Objectives Due to the frequent faulty being found and the increasing price of the current safety system, the High Ropes Course Altenhof has been starting to invent its very own carabiner, ―Clip – Monkey‖. The Bornack - Permanent Securing System SAFE-link SSB has provided a conceptual idea on the development of ―Clip – Monkey‖. This report’s primary aim was to investigate the design and material that was the most appropriate for developing the ―Clip – Monkey‖ with a secondary aim to explore a diversified marketing strategy to promote the newly designed carabiner. (2) Methods A pre-robust test and a quantitative measure were conducted. There were two points from the carabiner were being stretched to conduct if the prototype were able to carry a designated amount of force. Moreover, a total of 256 high ropes course official webpages were being read through to search for the safety systems that have been adopting at the stage. (3) Findings The pre-robust test result showing that the carabiner was less than capable to bear the required force. On the other hand, a new outcome was also discovered in quantitative results, nearly 80% of the webpages did not provide the information about the safety systems. (4) Recommendations and Discussions The latest design of ―Clip – Monkey‖ is more user-friendly. The safety has been improved and the assembly is being eased. The prototype improvement is closed to finish. In addition, High Ropes Course Altenhof has begun to choose more than one advertising tool, namely public relations. It is recommended that the type of stainless steel which used for the production should be adapted to a more durable material. Furthermore, more marketing communication tools are preferred in the future to make the advertising program more comprehensive.

Employees of two large companies in Switzerland took part in a nationwide health information and promotion campaign at work, which included various physical examinations. A total of 5,849 consecutive participants were sent a questionnaire to determine whether changes had been made in their lifestyles and if they had benefited from participation; 2,361 (40.4%) responded. The campaign was rated highly at 8.3 on a scale from 1 to 10. Respondents reported benefiting most from the personal examination results, in particular the measurement of bone density, examination of the carotid arteries and discussions with the staff. Of the respondents, 921 stated they changed their lifestyle in the area of physical activity (64.4%) and nutrition (63.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the variables predictive of responding were age, hierarchy, diet and smoking. Health promotion at work and the choice of offered examinations may influence the effects of health care promotion at the workplace and the readiness of participants to improve their attitudes to health. Health promotion at work is highly regarded by employees who pay more attention to diet, smoke less and in particular those over 50 yr of age. High-tech equipment in a mobile unit may attract employers and employees may profit most from the individual examination results; 39% of the respondents stated they changed their lifestyle as a consequence of the Check Bus campaign.

AIMS There is little evidence to inform routine practice in the use of coronary angiography and revascularization procedures after acute myocardial infarction. Large differences in the uptake of these procedures have been reported but representative data are scarce. Outcome studies have produced opposing conclusions concerning the impact of the high rate of these cardiac procedures. METHODS AND RESULTS A population-based patient sampling approach was utilized to identify routine practice in representative samples from 11 European countries. Data were collected retrospectively on treatment in the 6 months following acute myocardial infarction (n=2807). There was wide variation in utilization of coronary angiography and revascularization procedures. Even after restricting the analysis to patients <65 years (n=1262), there remained a 6 13 fold variation in the use of these procedures. A decreased likelihood of undergoing these procedures was associated with older age. In addition, there was an independent and negative association between female sex and utilization of coronary angiography and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CONCLUSION The effect on patient outcome of the observed variation in use of these procedures is not known but has important cost and resource implications for the health services. Outcome research is needed to define patient selection criteria and to measure the cost-utility of different angiography and revascularization rates.