Lifetime Prevalence of Self-Reported Work-Related Health Problems Among U.S. Workers - United States, 2018

Ultrashort Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-3): A Psychometric Assessment

The objective was to determine the validity of the UWES-3, an ultrashort measure of work engagement lacking evidence in Hispanic populations. In total, 200 workers with heterogeneous positions and careers from Metropolitan Lima were enrolled via nonprobabilistic sampling. The UWES-3 and measures of external variables (work accidents, stress overload, and others) were used. Data were collected through a web platform. Items were analysed, nonparametric response theory methods (Mokken scale analysis and Ramsay curves) were applied to the items, and ordinal and linear regression were used to determine the relationships with external variables. The items had statistically similar distributional properties and monotonic associations with external variables but with fewer functional response options. The UWES-3 complied with the monotonic homogeneity model and invariant ordering of items; the scaling of the items, score (greater than 0.80), and reliability (0.94) were high. With the effects of age and sex controlled, the UWES-3 significantly predicted minor accidents at work and job satisfaction and revealed effects of stress overload and perceived efficacy. The theoretical implications of the UWES-3 as a brief unidimensional measure integrating the three original dimensions of the instrument and the practical implications of its use for research and professional practice are discussed.

[Self-reported hearing impairment and occupational exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic agents: a population-based study]

This study's objective was to estimate the association between self-reported hearing impairment and occupational exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic agents in Brazilian workers. This was a cross-sectional study with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS-2013). The dependent variable was self-reported hearing impairment, and three principal exposures were analyzed: noise, industrial dust, and chemical substances. Logistic regression was performed, estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The principal exposure variables were adjusted for each other and by covariables sex, age, workplace, time on the job, and hypertension. 36,442 workers participated in the study. Higher prevalence of hearing impairment was seen in workers exposed to industrial dust (9.9%) (p < 0.001). The older the worker and the longer the time on the job, the higher the prevalence of hearing impairment (p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, workers exposed to noise showed 1.65 higher odds of reporting difficulty hearing, when compared to unexposed individuals (p < 0.001). The same was true for workers exposed to industrial dust (OR = 1.36) (p = 0.012). No association was observed between the outcome and exposure to chemical substances (p = 0.120). There was an association between hearing impairment and occupational exposure to noise and industrial dust in Brazilian workers. This emphasizes the importance of strengthening public policies for hearing health and the development of measures for prevention and auditory monitoring in the workplace.

Occupational Hand-Related Injuries at a Major Tertiary Care Burn and Reconstructive Center in Pakistan

Introduction

Work-related hand injuries are usually a consequence of mechanical force on hand. This study retrospectively investigated the occurrence of work-related hand injuries in patients belonging to different age groups, gender, educational status, occupation, etc. 

Methodology

This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to December 2019 at the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were gathered through a structured questionnaire based on relevant literature. Patients were assessed using the purposive sampling technique and written informed consent was taken from each participant. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical tests were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

One hundred and twenty participants were interviewed, and 87.5% of patients did not have a vascular injury, and 62.5% of patients had an associated fracture. Over half of them (57.5%) had injuries of their dominant hands. Most of the injuries (67.5%) involved fingers while the rest of the injuries were found either in the palm or the dorsum of the hand. Among the causes of accidents, the majority didn't wear or wore unfitted gloves (76.6%) and the main causes of the hand injuries were related to defects in the workplace (53.3%). Lack of concentration (11.7%), wearing loose or unfitted clothes or jewelry (19.2%), lack of machine maintenance (29.2%), and a patient’s chronic disease (1.66%) were among the less frequent causes. 

Conclusion

It is important to understand the relationship between occupational and hand injuries. It provides an insight into the lack of protection and guidance of workers.