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Li Y, Kawasaki H, Yamasaki S, Nakaoka S, Shiraishi M, Cui Z. Examining corporate support issues with health literacy as a key factor: The Case of a Hiroshima corporation. J Family Med Prim Care 2023; 12:3380-3386. [PMID: 38361877 PMCID: PMC10866245 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1219_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Given the dramatic decline in Japan's labor force, promoting women's participation in the workforce is essential. Aims We aimed to take a Hiroshima company as an example and analyze the influencing factors of health literacy (HL) to clarify the issues of the active participation of female employees. Methods and Materials From February to March 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted by a company in Hiroshima prefecture that contained many male employees. A total of 1,114 valid respondents were received. Employees' demographics, menstrual-related concerns, women's activity promotion support, and HL were investigated in this study. Statistical Analysis Used The Chi-square test and logistic regression using SPSS statistical software version 25 were used. Results There were significant differences between high and low HL with age, women's menstrual problems, and women's activity promotion support. The participants who were unaware of women's menstrual-related problems and their company's implementation of women's activity promotion support were more likely to have high HL. In addition, female employees (including female management) and male management have significantly different cognitions about women's activity promotion support. Conclusions This study found that overall HL among employees in male-dominated companies is low, even among participants who were aware of women's menstruation-related health issues and the company's women's activity promotion support. Increased women's representation in management can bridge policy perception gaps. Male-dominated companies should enhance HL via career programs, health education, and improved communication for active female engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kawasaki
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Satoko Yamasaki
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Sae Nakaoka
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Misa Shiraishi
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Zhengai Cui
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
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Li Y, Kawasaki H, Cui Z, Yamasaki S, Nakaoka S, Shiraishi M. Coping With Women's Menstruation-Related Health Issues in Male-Dominated Companies: A Cross-Sectional Study in Japan. Cureus 2023; 15:e49569. [PMID: 38156186 PMCID: PMC10754090 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49569] [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] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Japanese women face many female-specific health problems in the workplace, especially menstruation-related issues, which can adversely affect their quality of life and productivity. This study aims to examine how female employees in a male-dominated company in Hiroshima, Japan, cope with menstruation-related health issues in the workplace and the factors that influence their coping strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey research method. The survey investigated age, health, and menstrual-related issues, as well as women's active participation support and health literacy (HL) levels. The sample population included employees of a manufacturer in Hiroshima prefecture. The data were collected from February 20 to March 10, 2023. The analysis subjects were 171 women who had experienced menstruation-related, women-specific health issues in the workplace. Their attitudes toward menstruation-related issues could influence their experiences. They were categorized into positive and negative groups based on their attitudes toward coping with women's health issues. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to compare the two groups. RESULTS The study found that 50.3% (N = 296) of female employees had experienced women's menstruation-related health issues at work. As many as 62.6% (N = 171) of female employees showed a positive attitude, and the study also found that female employees with a positive attitude toward menstruation-related health issues had higher HL (odds ratio (OR) = 1.216, 95% CI: 1.007-0.1.468) and were more likely to be able to predict menstruations (OR = 4.528, 95% CI: 1.618-12.670). Conclusions: In male-dominated companies, many female employees are affected by menstruation-related problems in the workplace. A positive attitude toward women's health issues was positively associated with HL and predictive ability. Male-dominated companies should pay attention to women's menstruation-related health issues in the workplace, implement interventions to improve their health literacy and predictive ability, strengthen communication with them, and encourage them to actively participate in women's health initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JPN
| | - Hiromi Kawasaki
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JPN
| | - Zhengai Cui
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Humanities and Management, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, CHN
| | - Satoko Yamasaki
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JPN
| | - Sae Nakaoka
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JPN
| | - Misaki Shiraishi
- Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, JPN
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Fazli M, Yazdani R, Mohebbi SZ, Shamshiri AR. Oral Health Literacy and Its Determinants in Young Couples. Front Dent 2023; 20:27. [PMID: 37701653 PMCID: PMC10493116 DOI: 10.18502/fid.v20i27.13345] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Oral health literacy (OHL) is an interplay of cultural, social and individual factors and plays an effective role in public health promotion. This study aimed to assess OHL and its socioeconomic and demographic determinants among young couples. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 828 adults between 15 to 35 years in 2018 in Zanjan city. Data regarding their OHL were collected by using a 17-item Oral Health Literacy-Adult Questionnaire (OHL-AQ) that was filled out by a combination of self-report and interview. OHL was categorized as adequate, marginal, and inadequate. The effects of age and gender as demographic variables, and floor area per person as a proxy of financial status on OHL were also assessed. Data were analyzed using the linear and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: The mean OHL score was 7.86±3.83 out of 17 in equal number of males and females. Only 21% of the couples had adequate OHL. The socioeconomic, but not demographic variables had significant correlations with the qualitative and quantitative variables of OHL even after controlling for the effect of confounders. A correlation was particularly found between inadequate OHL and years of education [odds ratio:6.00; 95% CI: 3.86-9.28); P<0.001]. Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors had independent correlations with inadequate OHL. Participants with higher levels of education, those living in urban areas, and individuals with better financial status had higher levels of OHL and lower odds of inadequate OHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Fazli
- Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Yazdani
- Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Simin Zahra Mohebbi
- Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Shamshiri
- Research Center for Caries Prevention, Dental Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Li W, Jahan Y, Kawai M, Fukushima Y, Kazawa K, Moriyama M. Factors Affecting Employees Work Engagement in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10702. [PMID: 36078418 PMCID: PMC9518498 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving the labor productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is essential because of the aging population and predicted reduction in the labor force. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that employees are in good health to work for long times. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between work engagement (WE) and related variables among SME employees. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using the baseline data of the prospective cohort study, which included 377 employees from three SMEs headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. RESULTS A multiple regression analysis was performed to see the associations between Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) scores and other variables. Significant associations were found with job satisfaction, age, health literacy (HL), and quality of sleep (all, p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference observed in WE, quality of sleep, concern for own body, job satisfaction, and family life satisfaction (all, p < 0.001) with respect to high and low HL levels. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study reveal that while implementing health and productivity management in SMEs to increase WE, it is best to concentrate on raising HL, job satisfaction, and sleep quality. To increase generalizability, further research could be conducted with more SMEs companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weng Li
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Yasmin Jahan
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Madoka Kawai
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Yasuko Fukushima
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Kana Kazawa
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
- Department of Medicine for Integrated Approach to Social Inclusion, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Michiko Moriyama
- Division of Nursing Science, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
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Hou WH, Huang YC, Lu CY, Chen IC, Lee PC, Lin MY, Wang YC, Sulistyorini L, Li CY. A national survey of ambient air pollution health literacy among adult residents of Taiwan. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1604. [PMID: 34465329 PMCID: PMC8406719 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11658-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the level of and covariates associated with ambient air pollution health literacy (AAPHL) among adult residents of Taiwan. METHODS With a cross-sectional study design, we conducted telephone interviews using a Chinese version AAPHL scale, which consisted of 24 items assessing 12 subdomains of AAPHL formed by 4 information processing competence matrices (i.e., access, understand, appraise, and apply) and 3 health contexts (i.e., healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion). The AAPHL was with the lowest and highest score at 1 to 4, respectively. Between September and November 2020, a sample of 1017 and 280 adults was successfully interviewed via home phones and mobile phones, respectively. We employed multiple linear regression models to identify covariates significantly associated with overall and 4 matric-specific AAPHL scores. RESULTS The mean and standard deviation (±SD) of overall AAPHL score was considered as moderate at 2.90 (±0.56), with the highest and lowest metric-specific score for "apply" (3.07 ± 0.59) and "appraise" (2.75 ± 0.66). Lower education was significantly associated with a lower overall score; and living with children < 12 years and single were both significantly associated with higher overall scores. We also noted a significant geographic variation in overall score in which people living in the east/remote islands had highest scores. CONCLUSIONS People in Taiwan had only moderate level of AAPHL; and covariates including education, living arrangement, marital status, and area of living were significantly associated with AAPHL. These covariates should be considered in future educational interventions aiming to improve the AAPHL in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hsuan Hou
- School of Gerontology Health Management & Master Program in Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Geriatric Medicine, & Department of Education, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chin Huang
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, #1, University Rd, Tainan, Taiwan, 701
| | - Chien-Yeh Lu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, #1, University Rd, Tainan, Taiwan, 701
| | - I-Chen Chen
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, #1, University Rd, Tainan, Taiwan, 701.,Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chen Lee
- Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yeng Lin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Wang
- Department of Law, College of Social Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Lilis Sulistyorini
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Chung-Yi Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, #1, University Rd, Tainan, Taiwan, 701. .,Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. .,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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