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Berglund K, Almroth M, Falkstedt D, Hemmingsson T, Kjellberg K. The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical workload on disability pension-a cohort study of Swedish men. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2024; 97:45-55. [PMID: 37971680 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-02023-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Understanding the impact of physical capacity in combination with high physical workload could be beneficial for the prevention of health-related exits from work. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the separate and combined effects of low cardiorespiratory fitness and high physical workload on disability pension (DP) due to any cause, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS A total of 279 353 men born between 1951 and 1961 were followed regarding DP between 2006 and 2020, ages 45-64. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed during military conscription, using an ergometer bicycle test. Physical workload was based on a job-exposure matrix (JEM) linked to occupational title in 2005. Cox regression models estimated separate and combined associations with DP. RESULTS Low cardiorespiratory fitness and high physical workload were associated with increased risk of DP. For all cause DP, the fully adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for those with low cardiorespiratory fitness was 1.38 (1.32-1.46) and for those with high physical workload 1.48 (1.39-1.57). For all cause and MSD DP, but not for CVD DP, the combination of low cardiorespiratory fitness and high physical workload resulted in higher risks than when adding the effect of the single exposures. CONCLUSION Both low cardiorespiratory fitness in youth and later exposure to high physical workload were associated with an increased risk of DP, where workers with the combination of both low cardiorespiratory fitness and a high physical workload had the highest risks (all-cause and MSD DP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Berglund
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Melody Almroth
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel Falkstedt
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 4, 113 65, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wallius MA, Lallukka T, Leinonen T, Remes J, Ervasti J. Level of and Changes in Perceived Work Ability Among Partial Disability Pensioners and the Risk of Full Disability Pension-A Register-Linked Cohort Study. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2023:10.1007/s10926-023-10161-z. [PMID: 38153619 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10161-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine how the level of perceived work ability and its changes over time are associated with the risk of full disability pension (DP) among those receiving partial DP. METHODS We retrieved survey data on perceived work ability and covariates (sociodemographic factors and health behaviors) from a cohort study of Finnish public sector employees at two time points: 2008 and 2012 and linked them with register data on DP obtained from the Finnish Centre for Pensions up to the end of 2018. Participants had begun receiving partial DP in 2008 and responded to either the 2008 survey (n = 159) or both surveys (n = 80). We used Cox regression for the analyses. RESULTS During the follow-up, 61 (38%) of those receiving partial DP transitioned to full DP. Those with perceived poor work ability were at a higher risk of full DP (HR 1.93; 95% CI 1.11-3.38) than those with at least moderate work ability, after adjustment for covariates. During four years of receiving partial DP, perceived work ability decreased among 36% of the participants, and remained unchanged or improved among 64%. Change in work ability was not associated with a risk of full DP. CONCLUSION Among those receiving partial DP, perceived poor work ability was a risk factor for full DP. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring the level of perceived work ability of those receiving partial DP to enable identifying individuals at an increased risk of full DP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Taina Leinonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouko Remes
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jenni Ervasti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Moreira AAO, Martins JT, Robazzi MLDCC, Galdino MJQ, Ribeiro RP, Barreto MFC. Calidad de vida y factores asociados de empleados jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6057.3815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Resumen Objetivo: analizar la calidad de vida y los factores asociados de empleados de universidades públicas jubilados por invalidez. Método: estudio transversal, con una muestra de trabajadores jubilados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Se aplicó un cuestionario de caracterización y el World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities mediante contacto telefónico u online desde noviembre de 2019 hasta septiembre de 2020. Los factores asociados se verificaron mediante regresión lineal múltiple. Resultados: de los 80 jubilados por invalidez, el 15% era docente y el 85% era técnico-administrativo. En cuanto a los factores asociados a la calidad de vida, el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) se asociaron al dominio overall; el uso continuo de medicamentos (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) el dominio físico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) y los trastornos mentales y conductuales (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) al dominio psicológico; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), los problemas respiratorios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) y circulatorios (βaj:-0,21;p=0,03) al dominio social; el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) al dominio ambiental; los trastornos mentales y conductuales al módulo discapacidad (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) y al dominio discriminación (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); el tabaquismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) y los problemas del sistema nervioso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) al dominio inclusión. El dominio autonomía no mostró asociación. Conclusión: la calidad de vida de los jubilados por invalidez que participaron del estudio estaba deteriorada.
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Moreira AAO, Martins JT, Robazzi MLDCC, Galdino MJQ, Ribeiro RP, Barreto MFC. Qualidade de vida e fatores associados entre servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6057.3817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Resumo Objetivo: analisar a qualidade de vida e os fatores associados entre servidores de universidades públicas aposentados por invalidez. Método: estudo transversal, com amostra de servidores aposentados por invalidez de universidades públicas. Um questionário de caracterização e o World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities foram aplicados por contato telefônico ou online no período de novembro de 2019 a setembro de 2020. Verificaram-se os fatores associados por regressão linear múltipla. Resultados: dos 80 aposentados por invalidez, 15% eram docentes e 85% da carreira técnica-administrativa. Quanto aos fatores associados à qualidade de vida, o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,25; p=0,02) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) associaram-se ao domínio Overall; o uso de medicação contínua (βaj: -0,23; p=0,04) ao domínio físico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05) e os transtornos mentais e comportamentais (βaj: -0,21; p<0,01) ao domínio psicológico; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,46; p<0,01), os problemas respiratórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) e circulatórios (βaj: -0,21; p=0,03) ao domínio social; o tabagismo (βaj: -0,33; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,22; p=0,04) ao domínio ambiental; os transtornos mentais e comportamentais ao módulo incapacidades (βaj: -0,29; p<0,01) e ao domínio discriminação (βaj: -0,21; p<0,05); o tabagismo (βaj: -0,32; p<0,01) e os problemas do sistema nervoso (βaj: -0,20; p<0,05) ao domínio inclusão. O domínio autonomia não apresentou associação. Conclusão: os aposentados estudados apresentaram uma qualidade de vida prejudicada.
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Badarin K, Hemmingsson T, Almroth M, Falkstedt D, Hillert L, Kjellberg K. Combined exposure to heavy physical workload and low job control and the risk of disability pension: A cohort study of employed men and women in Sweden. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:973-984. [PMID: 37246195 PMCID: PMC10361844 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-01983-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the separate and combined effects of overall heavy physical workload (PWL) and low decision authority on all-cause disability pension (DP) or musculoskeletal DP. METHODS This study uses a sample of 1,804,242 Swedish workers aged 44-63 at the 2009 baseline. Job Exposure Matrices (JEMs) estimated exposure to PWL and decision authority. Mean JEM values were linked to occupational codes, then split into tertiles and combined. DP cases were taken from register data from 2010 to 2019. Cox regression models estimated sex-specific Hazard Ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The Synergy Index (SI) estimated interaction effects. RESULTS Heavy physical workload and low decision authority were associated with an increased risk of DP. Workers with combined exposure to heavy PWL and low decision authority often had greater risks of all-cause DP or musculoskeletal DP than when adding the effects of the single exposures. The results for the SI were above 1 for all-cause DP (men: SI 1.35 95%CI 1.18-1.55, women: SI 1.19 95%CI 1.05-1.35) and musculoskeletal disorder DP (men: SI 1.35 95%CI 1.08-1.69, women: 1.13 95%CI 0.85-1.49). After adjustment, the estimates for SI remained above 1 but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Heavy physical workload and low decision authority were separately associated with DP. The combination of heavy PWL and low decision authority was often associated with higher risks of DP than would be expected from adding the effects of the single exposures. Increasing decision authority among workers with heavy PWL could help reduce the risk of DP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Badarin
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Melody Almroth
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel Falkstedt
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Hillert
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lee P, Xia T, Zomer E, van Vreden C, Pritchard E, Newnam S, Collie A, Iles R, Ademi Z. Exploring the Health and Economic Burden Among Truck Drivers in Australia: A Health Economic Modelling Study. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2023; 33:389-398. [PMID: 36357754 PMCID: PMC9648998 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-022-10081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Background The transport and logistics industry contributes to a significant proportion of the Australian economy. However, few studies have explored the economic and clinical burden attributed to poor truck driver health. We therefore estimated the work-related mortality burden among truck drivers over a 10-year period. Methods Dynamic life table modelling was used to simulate the follow-up of the Australian male working-age population (aged 15-65 years) over a 10-year period of follow-up (2021-2030). The model estimated the number of deaths occurring among the Australian working population, as well as deaths occurring for male truck drivers. Data from the Driving Health study and other published sources were used to inform work-related mortality and associated productivity loss, hospitalisations and medication costs, patient utilities and the value of statistical life year (VoSLY). All outcomes were discounted by 5% per annum. Results Over 10 years, poor truck driver health was associated with a loss of 21,173 years of life lived (discounted), or 18,294 QALYs (discounted). Healthcare costs amounted to AU$485 million (discounted) over this period. From a broader, societal perspective, a total cost of AU$2.6 billion (discounted) in lost productivity and AU$4.7 billion in lost years of life was estimated over a 10-year period. Scenario analyses supported the robustness of our findings. Conclusions The health and economic consequences of poor driver health are significant, and highlight the need for interventions to reduce the burden of work-related injury or disease for truck drivers and other transport workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lee
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Melbourne, VIC, 3125, Australia.
| | - Ting Xia
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ella Zomer
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Caryn van Vreden
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Pritchard
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon Newnam
- Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alex Collie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ross Iles
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Hancharoenkul B, Joseph L, Khamwong P, Pirunsan U. An investigation of the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain and related disability among poultry slaughterhouse workers: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:463-472. [PMID: 36484843 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01940-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The poultry slaughterhouse workers (PSW) are at substantial risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) at workplace due to their work. This study investigated the prevalence rate of WMSP and related disability among the PSW. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 78 PSW (40 women and 38 men) in the region of northern Thailand. The prevalence rate of WMSP was evaluated using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ). The disability related to the MSP was evaluated using a series of disability questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the WMSP. Data on the disability were summarized in frequency, mean (M), standard deviation (SD) and percentage. RESULTS The prevalence rate of WMSP in the past 7 days were higher in the shoulder region (61.5%, N = 48) followed by wrists/hands (60.3%, N = 47), and lower back region (35.9%, N = 28). The WMSP over the past 12 months was also high at the shoulder (61.5%, N = 48), wrists/hands (60.3%, N = 47), and neck region (37.1%, N = 29), respectively. The overall disability related to WMSP among PSW was found to be mild to moderate across different body regions. CONCLUSIONS PSW had a high prevalence rate of WMSP in the shoulders, wrists/hands, lower back, and neck regions. However, the PSW with WMSP reported only mild to moderate disability in the work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamaporn Hancharoenkul
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Leonard Joseph
- School of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Robert Dodd Building, 49 Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR, East Sussex, UK.
| | - Peanchai Khamwong
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Ubon Pirunsan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Moreira AAO, Martins JT, Robazzi MLDCC, Galdino MJQ, Ribeiro RP, Barreto MFC. Quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2023; 31:e3816. [PMID: 36722636 PMCID: PMC9886080 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.6057.3816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to analyze quality of life and factors associated among public university employees retired due to disabilities. METHOD a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of public university employees retired due to disabilities. A characterization questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Disabilities instrument were applied via telephone or online contacts from November 2019 to September 2020. The associated factors were verified through multiple linear regression. RESULTS of the 80 retirees due to disability, 15% were professors and 85% had a technical-administrative career. As for the factors associated with Quality of Life, continuous medication use (βadj: -0.25; p=0.02) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) were associated with the Overall domain; continuous medication use (βadj: -0.23; p=0.04), to the Physical domain; smoking (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05) and mental and behavioral disorders (βadj: -0.21; p<0.01), to the Psychological domain; smoking (βadj: -0.46; p<0.01) and respiratory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) and circulatory (βadj: -0.21; p=0.03) problems, to the Social domain; smoking (βadj: -0.33; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.22; p=0.04), to the Environmental domain; mental and behavioral disorders, to the Disabilities module (βadj: -0.29; p<0.01) and to the Discrimination domain (βadj: -0.21; p<0.05); and smoking (βadj: -0.32; p<0.01) and problems in the nervous system (βadj: -0.20; p<0.05), to the Inclusion domain. The Autonomy domain did not present any association. CONCLUSION the retirees under study presented impaired Quality of Life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Lucia do Carmo Cruz Robazzi
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto
- Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná, Departamento de Enfermagem, Bandeirantes, PR, Brazil. , Maynara Fernanda Carvalho Barreto E-mail:
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Can workplace intervention prolong work life of older workers? A quasi-experimental study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:237-246. [PMID: 36068445 PMCID: PMC9905162 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01919-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the impact of a workplace senior program intervention on early exit from labor market and on the disability retirement among older employees and work-related physical factors associated with it. METHODS A total of 259 individuals aged 55 + years participated in the study (107 in intervention and 152 were controls). A questionnaire survey was conducted among Finnish food industry employees between 2003 and 2009 and the intervention "senior program" was provided between 2004 and 2009. The type of pension for the respondents who had retired by 2019 was obtained and dichotomized as statutory vs. early labor market exit. Disability pension was investigated as a separate outcome. Information on work-related factors was obtained from the survey. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Fifty-one employees had early labor market exit. Of them, 70% (n = 36) were control participants. Employees in the senior program worked for longer years (mean years 7.4, 95% CI 6.4-8.1) compared to the control (6.6, 95% CI 6.3-7.5). Sixty percent lower risk of early labor market exit (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.19-0.84) and disability pension was found among employees in the senior program compared to the control group. Good work ability had a 94% lower risk (0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.29) of early labor market exit and 85% lower risk (0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.73) of disability pension compared to poor work ability. Employees with musculoskeletal pain had 4 times higher risk of disability pension compared to those without musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS A workplace senior program intervention prolonged work life and had positive effect on reducing disability pension among older industrial workers.
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Smith TD, Yu Z, Balogun AO. Assessing the impact of job demands and hazardous workload activities on musculoskeletal symptoms in stone, sand, and gravel mining operations. Work 2023; 75:1393-1402. [PMID: 36776087 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) are problematic in stone, sand, and gravel mining. Research is needed to explore relationships between job demands, work-related hazards and MSS. OBJECTIVE An exploratory study was conducted in Indiana during 2019-2020 to examine associations between job demands, work-related hazards and MSS. METHODS Through convenience sampling, cross-sectional survey data from 459 workers were collected and analyzed using logistic multiple and binary logistic regression methods. Outcome variables were MSS to the low back, neck/shoulder, and wrist/hand. Predictor variables and MSS measures are based on the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. RESULTS Increased odds of low back MSS were related to dynamic loads (OR = 2.14), pushing/pulling heavy loads (OR = 1.56), torso bending or twisting (OR = 2.36), bent, stooped, or twisted posture (OR = 2.04), uncomfortable postures (OR = 2.07), repetition (OR = 1.67) and vibrating tools (OR = 1.81). Increased odds of neck/shoulder MSS were related to dynamic loads (OR = 1.83), static loads (OR = 1.24), heavy lifting (OR = 1.50), pushing/pulling heavy loads (OR = 1.68), bending or twisting of the neck (OR = 1.82), twisted neck posture (OR = 1.77) and uncomfortable postures (OR = 1.81). Increased odds of wrist/hand MSS were related to dynamic loads (OR = 2.06), static loads (OR = 1.45), bending or twisting of the wrists/hands (OR = 10.52), extended reaching (OR = 3.05), repetition (OR = 5.25), awkward postures (OR = 4.47), working above shoulder level (OR = 2.47), and vibrating tools (OR = 1.78). CONCLUSION Hazards that increased the likelihood of MSS were identified. These hazards should be abated or controlled to prevent MSDs in stone, sand, and gravel mining. More applied research, including ergonomic assessments to further identify hazards that can be controlled or abated, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd D Smith
- Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Zuojin Yu
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA
| | - Abdulrazak O Balogun
- Department of Safety and Occupational Health Applied Sciences, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
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Dreher A, Yusuf R, Ashraf H, Ahmed SAKS, Strümpell C, Loerbroks A. Social stressors and social resources at work and their association with self-reported health complaints among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1793. [PMID: 36131265 PMCID: PMC9492303 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bangladesh is one of the world's largest garment exporters. Physical working conditions of garment workers are precarious and known to largely affect their health. Research on garment workers' psychosocial working conditions, however, is scarce. We aimed to quantify psychosocial working conditions of garment workers and possible associations with workers' health. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,118 ready-made garment (RMG) workers in labor colonies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize social stressors (e.g., being bullied at work, poor leadership) and social resources at work (e.g., receiving support at work, vertical trust between management and employees, beneficial leadership) and workers' health (self-reported overall health and 10 specific health complaints). To examine links of social stressors and social resources with self-reported health outcomes we ran multivariable Poisson regression models yielding prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS We found low to moderate levels of workplace bullying and high levels of poor leadership (i.e., supervisors not caring about workers' problems). We also found high levels of social support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership (i.e., supervisors taking decisions free of bias). Garment workers frequently suffered from health complaints, first and foremost headache (68.3%), cold (55.3%), and back pain (50.7%). Health outcomes were poorer among workers who reported to be bullied at work versus not bullied (e.g., PR 1.55 [95% CI 1.32-1.92] for poor self-reported health when bullied by colleagues) and health was better among those reporting to feel supported versus unsupported (e.g., PR 0.61 [0.52-0.71] for poor self-reported health when supported by supervisor). Perceived vertical trust between workers and management was weakly associated with better health. Leadership behavior did not display a consistent pattern. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that working conditions of RMG workers are rather good (e.g., characterized by low levels of bullying and high levels of support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership). The majority of workers reported good or very good health, although health complaints were frequently mentioned, first and foremost headache, cold, and back pain. Associations between psychosocial working conditions and health indicate worse working conditions being associated with poorer health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annegret Dreher
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rita Yusuf
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Ashraf
- Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Syed A K Shifat Ahmed
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Christian Strümpell
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, West, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Pyöriä P, Ojala S, Nätti J. Precarious work increases depression-based disability among male employees. Eur J Public Health 2021; 31:1223-1230. [PMID: 34254115 PMCID: PMC8643409 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Precarious employment is a potent occupational health risk, but little is known about its association with work-related disability and its causes. This study analyzes whether employment precariousness is associated with receiving disability pension (DP) due to depression and whether this differs according to gender. METHODS Statistics Finland's Quality of Work Life Surveys (1997, 2003, 2008 and 2013) were merged with register-based DP data obtained from the Finnish Centre for Pensions. The survey material was used to measure employment precariousness using five variables: fear of job loss, poor employability prospects, previous unemployment, low earnings and temporary contracts. We followed 20-60-year-old employees until 2016 and studied Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) for receiving DP among women and men, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, working conditions and health at baseline. RESULTS The overall risk of receiving DP tended to increase as precarious job features accumulated. Among men, a higher risk of receiving DP due to depression was associated with previous unemployment [HR 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-4.2] and poor employability (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.7), whereas no corresponding association was found among women. CONCLUSIONS Employment precariousness may reflect a psychological stress mechanism that predisposes the individual to mental health problems, predicting future disability. Work disability risk shows gendered differences depending on the cause of DP. Promoting employability at workplace and policy levels could offset the health risks associated with precariousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasi Pyöriä
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Satu Ojala
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jouko Nätti
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Falkstedt D, Hemmingsson T, Albin M, Bodin T, Ahlbom A, Selander J, Gustavsson P, Andersson T, Almroth M, Kjellberg K. Disability pensions related to heavy physical workload: a cohort study of middle-aged and older workers in Sweden. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:1851-1861. [PMID: 33880628 PMCID: PMC8490214 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01697-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to examine the associations between heavy physical workload among middle-aged and older workers and disability pension due to any diagnosis, as well as musculoskeletal, psychiatric, cardiovascular or respiratory diagnoses. The population-based design made it possible to examine dose-response and potential gender differences in the associations. METHODS About 1.8 million men and women aged 44-63 years and registered as living in Sweden in 2005 were followed regarding disability pension during 2006-2016, until ages 55-65 years. Mean values of physical workload and job control, estimated through gender-specific job-exposure matrices (JEMs), were assigned to individuals through their occupational titles in 2005. Exposure values were ranked separately for women and men and divided into quintiles. Associations were analyzed with Cox proportional-hazards regression. RESULTS The analyses showed robust, dose-response associations between physical workload and disability pension with a musculoskeletal diagnosis in both genders: the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for those with the heaviest exposure was 2.58 (2.37-2.81) in women and 3.34 (2.83-3.94) in men. Dose-response associations were also seen in relation to disability pension with a cardiovascular or a respiratory diagnosis, though the hazard ratios were smaller. Physical workload was not associated with disability pension with a psychiatric diagnosis after adjustment for job control. CONCLUSION This study of the entire Swedish population of middle-aged and older workers suggests that higher degrees of physical workload may increase the risk of disability pension overall, and specifically with musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or respiratory diagnosis, in both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Falkstedt
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tomas Hemmingsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Theo Bodin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Ahlbom
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenny Selander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Andersson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Melody Almroth
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lahti J, Lallukka T, Harkko J, Nordquist H, Mänty M, Pietiläinen O, Rahkonen O, Kouvonen A. Working conditions and antidepressant medication use: A prospective study among 18 to 39-year-old municipal employees. Psychiatry Res 2021; 305:114213. [PMID: 34563974 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the associations of perceived physical and mental working conditions with subsequent antidepressant medication purchases among 18-39-year-old municipal employees. Survey data collected in 2017 among employees of the City of Helsinki (n=5897, response rate 51.5%) were linked to register data on psychotropic medication purchases (82% gave permission to register linkage). The analysis included 3570 women and 972 men. We used three single-item measures of working conditions: perceived mental and physical strenuousness of work, and time spent in physical work. Covariates included age, gender, marital status, employment status, body mass index, smoking, alcohol use and previous medication. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the first antidepressant medication (ATC class N06A) purchase during a one-year follow-up. Those with mentally strenuous work (HR 1.85) as well as those spending more than four hours in physical work per workday (HR 1.60) had an statistically significantly increased risk of antidepressant medication use when adjusting for age and gender. Further adjustments for covariates attenuated these associations, which however remained statistically significant. Improving working conditions to avoid excess mental and physical workload is likely to be beneficial for preventing mental health problems already among younger employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jouni Lahti
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaakko Harkko
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hilla Nordquist
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna Mänty
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; City of Vantaa, Vantaa, Finland
| | - Olli Pietiläinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Kouvonen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Administrative Data Research Centre (Northern Ireland), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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