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Andersen DR, Momsen AMH, Pedersen P, Damkjær Maimburg R. Reflections on workplace adjustments for pregnant employees: a qualitative study of the experiences of pregnant employees and their managers. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:456. [PMID: 35650542 PMCID: PMC9158161 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04749-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Union directive requires employers to assess and ensure safety measures for pregnant women in the workplace. Despite this, the rate of sick leave among pregnant Scandinavian women is relatively high. This study aims to provide insight into how pregnant employees and their managers experience and address pregnancy at the workplace, to identify preconditions for successful workplace adjustments for pregnant women. METHODS We carried out a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews with seventeen participants: eight pregnant women and nine managers from occupations whose employees demonstrate an increased likelihood of taking sick leave during pregnancy. The interviews were thematically coded and organized into main themes and subthemes. RESULTS Based on semi-structured interviews with the seventeen participants (eight pregnant employees and nine managers), we identified preconditions for successful workplace adjustments. According to the pregnant employees, these included, "The managers' concern, understanding, and acknowledgment," "support and acceptance from colleagues," and "pregnant employees' acceptance of their need for adjustments." According to the managers, the preconditions for successful workplace adjustments included "an open and honest dialogue" and "a systematic approach." CONCLUSION Implementing workplace adjustments for pregnant employees is a complex process that comprises various initiatives, and their success may depend on several factors. This study's findings suggest that the success of workplace interventions depends on 1) management, colleagues, and the pregnant employee recognizing and accepting pregnant women's needs, 2) an organizational culture that supports women and pregnancy without compromising the occupational health of other employees, and 3) professional guidance that supports both women and managers when dealing with pregnancy-related concerns. We suggest that this study's findings may be used to improve the implementation of workplace adjustments for pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorte Raaby Andersen
- grid.452352.70000 0004 8519 1132Department of Occupational Medicine, University Research Clinic, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Goedstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | | | - Pernille Pedersen
- DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, Marselisborg Center, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Damkjær Maimburg
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.154185.c0000 0004 0512 597XDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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Pedersen P, Momsen AMH, Andersen DR, Nielsen CV, Nohr EA, Maimburg RD. Associations between work environment, health status and sick leave among pregnant employees. Scand J Public Health 2020; 49:149-158. [PMID: 32466722 DOI: 10.1177/1403494820919564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Aims: To study the associations between and timing of psychosocial and physical work factors and health status on sick leave among Danish pregnant employees. Methods: A total of 910 pregnant women completed a questionnaire in gestational weeks 12 (baseline) and 27 (follow-up). Information about psychosocial and physical work factors and health status was obtained at baseline. Associations with sick leave ⩾14 days were estimated using logistic regression. Further, the impact of timing and duration of exposure on sick leave were examined. Results: A total of 133 women (14.6%) reported ⩾14 days of sick leave at follow-up (27 weeks of gestation). Work-related risk factors for sick leave were high work pace, low influence, low recognition, low job satisfaction, conflict in work−family balance, standing/walking, heavy lifting, and shift work/night shift. Health-related risk factors were burnout, stress, possibility of depression, low work ability, previous sick leave, and poor self-rated health. Being exposed to work-related risk factors during the first 27 weeks of pregnancy or at follow-up increased the risk of sick leave compared with those not exposed at any time or only exposed at baseline. Poor health status increased the risk if women were exposed in the first 27 weeks of pregnancy; however, high possibility of depression was also a risk factor when experienced in early pregnancy. Conclusions: Psychosocial and physical work-related risk factors and poor health status were associated with more sick leave in pregnant employees. Early adjustment of work-related risk factors at the workplace is needed to reduce sick leave.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Pedersen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- DEFACTUM, Social & Health Services and Labour Market, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Anne-Mette H. Momsen
- DEFACTUM, Social & Health Services and Labour Market, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Dorte R. Andersen
- Occupational Medicine, Regional Hospital West Jutland, University Research Clinic, Aarhus University, Herning, Denmark
| | - Claus V. Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- DEFACTUM, Social & Health Services and Labour Market, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Regional Hospital West Jutland, Herning, Denmark
| | - Ellen A. Nohr
- Research Unit for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Centre of Women’s, Family and Child Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Rikke D. Maimburg
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Pedersen P, Labriola M, Nielsen CV, Maimburg RD, Nohr EA, Momsen AM. Systematic review of interventions targeting sickness absence among pregnant women in healthcare settings and workplaces. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e024032. [PMID: 30366917 PMCID: PMC6224771 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The high rate of sickness absence from work during pregnancy is recognised as a problem, and may be higher than necessary from a health perspective. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in healthcare settings and workplaces targeting sickness absence among pregnant women. METHODS Studies were eligible if they included pregnant women participating in any intervention in healthcare settings or workplaces. The outcome was length of sickness absence in days or number of episodes. Study design had to be either randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies.The search for studies was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO trial registry. Risk of bias was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute standardised quality assessment instrument. RESULTS A total of nine studies were quality assessed and of these, four were excluded due to insufficient methodological quality. Five RCTs conducted in healthcare settings in Sweden and Norway were included. Due to heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not performed.Two RCTs examined complementary and alternative medicine and three RCTs the effect of physical exercise. In general, the frequency of women on sickness absence was lower in the intervention groups than the control groups, however, only among pregnant women who participated in a 12-week exercise programme, the frequency was significantly lower (22% vs 30%, p=0.04). CONCLUSION The evidence of interventions targeting sickness absence among pregnant women in healthcare settings is sparse, and no studies were conducted at workplaces.Future interventions including physical activity provided in collaboration with healthcare settings and workplaces are requested. Studies should measure sickness absence based on valid methods, measure compliance to the intervention and provide transparency of statistical methods. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42018084802.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Pedersen
- Central Denmark Region, DEFACTUM - Social and Health Services & Labour Market, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Merete Labriola
- Department of Public Health, Section of Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Claus Vinther Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Damkjær Maimburg
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ellen Aagaard Nohr
- Research Unit for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Anne-Mette Momsen
- Central Denmark Region, DEFACTUM - Social and Health Services & Labour Market, Aarhus, Denmark
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Seglem KB, Ørstavik R, Torvik FA, Gjerde LC, Røysamb E, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Knudsen GP, Tambs K. Pre-pregnancy mental distress and musculoskeletal pain and sickness absence during pregnancy - a twin cohort study. Eur J Public Health 2017; 27:477-481. [PMID: 28175262 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sickness absence (SA) among pregnant women is high. The aim of this study was to examine whether factors known to predict SA in general also predict SA during pregnancy by estimating the association between prior mental distress and musculoskeletal pain and SA during pregnancy, and to assess the influence of familial (genetic and shared environmental) factors. In this prospective cohort study, data from 2076 female twins born 1967-79 who participated in a questionnaire study in 1998 were linked to register data on SA and childbirth during the years 1998-2008. Baseline measures included mental distress (symptoms of anxiety and depression; SCL-5) and musculoskeletal pain (lumbar spine, neck/shoulder and/or persisting muscular pain). SA was measured as a ratio of days on SA divided by potential working days. Negative binomial regression was performed for individual and within-pair effects. Musculoskeletal pain, but not mental distress, was prospectively associated with overall SA during pregnancy in the adjusted individual-level analyses. With each standard deviation increase in musculoskeletal pain, SA granted for any disorder increased with 12% (IRR 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07-1.17) and SA granted for pregnancy related disorders increased with 9% (IRR 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.17). Within-pair estimates were similar, suggesting little or no familial confounding. Women with previous musculoskeletal pain are at increased risk of SA during pregnancy, whereas no increased risk in women with previous symptoms of mental distress could be demonstrated. SA during pregnancy seems partly to be associated with different factors than SA in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline B Seglem
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Ørstavik
- Department of Aging and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Fartein A Torvik
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Line C Gjerde
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Espen Røysamb
- Department of Child Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Gun Peggy Knudsen
- Department of Health Data and Digitalisation, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Kristian Tambs
- Department of Aging and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
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