Evaluation of sleep quality and duration using wearable sensors in shift laborers of construction industry: A public health perspective

The Development and Validation of the Health Belief Model for Shift Workers (HBM-SW) Scale

OBJECTIVE

Shift work is associated with circadian misalignment, sleep loss, and suboptimal health behaviors, which may contribute to longer term negative health outcomes. To inform future interventions for shift workers, the present study aimed to develop and evaluate the Health Belief Model for Shift Workers (HBM-SW) scale.

METHODS

The HBM-SW development involved a seven-step process, including a literature review, expert panel analysis, cognitive interviews with shift workers, and a trial with a pilot sample of shift workers (n = 153). Utilizing exploratory factor analysis for factor identification and item reduction, the developed scale loaded on seven factors in line with the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model: Perceived Threat, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, Perceived Barriers, Cues to Action, Self-efficacy, and Health Motivation. Validation of the scale was conducted utilizing Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Food Frequency Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The pilot sample had an average age of 34.0 (18.0) years, was majority female (54.2%), with an average of 8.0 (11.0) years shift work experience. The HBM-SW showed good - excellent (α = 0.74-0.93) internal consistency and moderate - good (ICC = 0.64-0.89) test re-test reliability. Using health behavior outcome measures, the HBM-SW scale showed meaningful correlations with sleep quality, sleep duration, diet quality and leisure time physical activity, and acceptable validity and reliability. Further testing should be conducted in a larger sample to facilitate confirmatory factor analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed Health Belief Model for Shift Workers scale is likely beneficial for use in future studies of interventions for shift workers.

Assessing thermo-physical products' efficiency in the building and construction industry: a bibliometric analysis approach

This study aims to assess the performance of thermophysical materials in the construction and building industry to establish the necessary academic basis for the interpretation of trends, developments, and status in this research field. The Scopus database contains 159 papers on this topic, which were published between 1968 and 2021 and originated in 60 countries. The International Organization for Standardization published significant information on thermal insulating materials, merchandize, elements, and applications. Several forms of insulation currently exist: (i) solid-state foam insulation composed of fibers, grains, and matrix; (ii) liquid-state insulation that encloses humidity within the filling; and (iii) gasifier form, which incorporates air, steam, or alternative gases. To reduce the amount of energy demanded, thermal insulation materials must be extended, current solutions must be modified, and new materials must be developed. Because high-temperature thermal insulation materials have more complex working conditions than alternative materials, their application requires further consideration.