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Health Effects of Underground Workspaces cohort: study design and baseline characteristics

Health Effects of Underground Workspaces cohort: study design and baseline characteristics

Authors :
Gerard Dunleavy
Thirunavukkarasu Sathish
Nuraini Nazeha
Michael Soljak
Nanthini Visvalingam
Ram Bajpai
Hui Shan Yap
Adam C. Roberts
Thuan Quoc Thach
André Comiran Tonon
Chee Kiong Soh
Georgios Christopoulos
Kei Long Cheung
Hein de Vries
Josip Car
Source :
Epidemiology and Health, Vol 41 (2019)
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
Korean Society of Epidemiology, 2019.

Abstract

The development of underground workspaces is a strategic effort towards healthy urban growth in cities with ever-increasing land scarcity. Despite the growth in underground workspaces, there is limited information regarding the impact of this environment on workers’ health. The Health Effects of Underground Workspaces (HEUW) study is a cohort study that was set up to examine the health effects of working in underground workspaces. In this paper, we describe the rationale for the study, study design, data collection, and baseline characteristics of participants. The HEUW study recruited 464 participants at baseline, of whom 424 (91.4%) were followed-up at 3 months and 334 (72.0%) at 12 months from baseline. We used standardized and validated questionnaires to collect information on socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, medical history, family history of chronic diseases, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, chronotype, psychological distress, occupational factors, and comfort levels with indoor environmental quality parameters. Clinical and anthropometric parameters including blood pressure, spirometry, height, weight, and waist and hip circumference were also measured. Biochemical tests of participants’ blood and urine samples were conducted to measure levels of glucose, lipids, and melatonin. We also conducted objective measurements of individuals’ workplace environment, assessing air quality, light intensity, temperature, thermal comfort, and bacterial and fungal counts. The findings this study will help to identify modifiable lifestyle and environmental parameters that are negatively affecting workers’ health. The findings may be used to guide the development of more health-promoting workspaces that attempt to negate any potential deleterious health effects from working in underground workspaces.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20927193
Volume :
41
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Epidemiology and Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.2a3e8094958c4504ad552bf158936876
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2019025