Approach for Assessing the Prevalence of Psychosocial Risks of Workers in the Greenhouse Construction Industry in South-Eastern Spain

This paper shows the prevalence of psychosocial risks for workers in the greenhouse construction industry in south-eastern Spain. Method: The assessment of the workers' psychosocial risks was carried out through simple random sampling, which uses a questionnaire containing 13 variables characterizing the companies, 14 variables characterizing the workers, and 15 questions proposed by the Mini Psychosocial Factors (MPFs) risk assessment method. A descriptive analysis and multiple correspondence analysis were performed on the sample data. Results: Greenhouse construction businesses in south-eastern Spain can generally be classified as small companies with an average annual turnover below EUR 2.0 million (69.3%), an average of 22.8 workers with an average age of 39.84 years old, most of whom are married, with an average of 1.76 children. The prevalence of workers at high risk was 2.9%, while 45.1% were at medium-high risk. Of the 12 psychosocial factors assessed using the MPF method, 7 of them presented a high level of worker risk: Mobbing (3.2%), Relationships (1.6%), Recognition (1.6%), Autonomy (12.9%), Emotional (8.0%), Control (4.8%), and Demands (3.2%). Lastly, the variables were grouped into four clusters, showing that larger companies are correlated with a medium (workers over 40 years of age or less than 25 years of age) to high (workers under 25 years of age) risk level in several of the psychosocial factors assessed for workers who are Spanish nationals, while in smaller companies, the workers are usually middle aged (between 25 and 40 years old) and from Eastern Europe or Africa, presenting either a low or high level of risk depending on the psychosocial factors and tasks performed. Impact of the results: The study reveals a lack of prevention management regarding psychosocial risks. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out new prevention programmes that optimise the psychosocial conditions of the workers, involving the workers, employers, and other social agents.

The prevention of musculoskeletal complaints: long-term effect of a work-related psychosocial coaching intervention compared to physiotherapy alone-a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Research shows that psychosocial factors play a significant role in the emergence of musculoskeletal complaints (MSC). The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects on unspecific MSC by a combined physiotherapy and coaching intervention compared to physiotherapy alone. The coaching intervention focussed on enabling better strategies for coping with work stressors.

METHODS

The participants of a previous randomized controlled intervention were invited to participate again in a third follow-up survey 22 months after the end of the intervention. In 2014, 65 nurses completed a 10-week personalised physiotherapy. Additionally, the intervention group (n = 33) passed five individual coaching sessions, plus an opening and closing session. 44 nurses (IG: n = 24; CG: n = 20) passed again a physical examination as well as another questionnaire assessment in 2016. The primary outcome was MSC, secondary outcomes were work ability and work-related well-being. Due to missing data, multiple imputations were conducted using the mice package in R. Data were analysed by ANOVA with two-way repeated measures, t tests for independent samples and Chi-squared tests.

RESULTS

In respect of MSC, stronger improvement of movement in the vertebral column was observed in the IG compared to the CG. No differences between the IG and CG regarding other long-term effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the combined intervention of work-related coaching and physiotherapy had only a marginally stronger long-term effect with respect to MSC than physiotherapy alone.

Multi-site musculoskeletal pain in Swedish police: associations with discomfort from wearing mandatory equipment and prolonged sitting

Purpose

Musculoskeletal disorders are considered as a major issue affecting the health and well-being of active duty police. Discomfort from wearing mandatory equipment and sitting for long periods of time in fleet vehicles are workload factors linked to musculoskeletal disorders in police. This study aims to determine the prevalence of multi-site musculoskeletal pain among Swedish police and to explore the possible association to discomfort experience when wearing mandatory equipment and sitting for long periods in fleet vehicles.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study responses from 4185 police were collected through a self-administered online survey including questions about physical work environment, mandatory equipment and musculoskeletal pain. Multi-site pain was determined through summing pain sites from four body regions. Binomial logistic regression was performed to explore the association between multi-site musculoskeletal pain: (1) discomfort from wearing mandatory equipment and (2) sitting for long periods in fleet vehicles.

Results

The prevalence of multi-site musculoskeletal pain at least 1 day per week within the previous 3 months was 41.3%. A statistically significant association between discomfort from wearing mandatory equipment and multi-site musculoskeletal pain was found; duty belt [OR 5.42 (95% CI 4.56–6.43)] as well as body armour [OR 2.69 (95% CI 2.11–3.42)]. Sitting for long periods in fleet vehicles was not significantly associated to multi-site musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusion

Multi-site musculoskeletal pain is a considerable problem among Swedish police and modifying mandatory equipment to decrease discomfort is suggested as a potential means of decreasing the musculoskeletal pain experienced by many police officers.

Work characteristics predict the development of multi-site musculoskeletal pain

PURPOSE

Musculoskeletal pain in more than one body region is common and a barrier to sustaining employment. We aimed to examine whether work characteristics predict the development of multi-site pain (MSP), and to determine differences in work-related predictors between age groups.

METHODS

This study is based on 5136 employees from the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation (STREAM) who reported no MSP at baseline. Measures included physical, emotional, mental, and psychological job demands, social support and autonomy. Predictors of MSP were studied by logistic regression analyses. Univariate and multivariate analyses with age stratification (45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 60-64 years) were done to explore differences between age groups.

RESULTS

All work characteristics with the exception of autonomy were predictive of the development of MSP, with odds ratios varying from 1.21 (95% CI 1.04-1.40) for mental job demands to 1.63 (95% CI 1.43-1.86) for physical job demands. No clear pattern of age-related differences in the predictors of MSP emerged, with the exception of social support, which was predictive of MSP developing in all age groups except for the age group 60-64 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse physical and psychosocial work characteristics are associated with MSP. Organisations need to comprehensively assess work environments to ensure that all relevant workplace hazards, physical and psychosocial, are identified and then controlled for across all age groups.

The impact of multi-site musculoskeletal pain on work ability among health care providers

Background

Epidemiologic studies have reported that multi-site musculoskeletal pain threatens work ability. However, no study has been conducted on this topic among health care providers. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between multi-site pain and poor work ability among health care providers.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire including basic characteristics, job satisfaction, stress screening, musculoskeletal pain at neck, upper extremities, low back, and lower extremities within the last month, and work ability index. Pain intensity was dichotomized according to a numerical pain rating scale score: less than five (no) and at least five (yes). Musculoskeletal pain was divided in three groups: 1) no pain, 2) few pain sites (one to two sites), and 3) many pain sites (three to four sites). The association of the number of pain sites with poor work ability was explored through multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 254 health care providers participated in the present study. The majority of participants were female (73.2 %) with mean age of 33.9 (SD 9.5) years. Few pain sites and many pain sites were reported by 79 (31.1 %) and 39 participants (15.4 %), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for poor work ability of participants who had few pain sites and many pain sites were 1.85 (95 % CI: 0.91 – 3.76) and 2.41 (95 % CI: 1.04 – 5.58), respectively.

Conclusion

The present study showed that multi-site musculoskeletal pain had an association with poor work ability. The magnitude of association was likely to increase by a higher number of pain sites.

Immobilization stress sensitizes rat dorsal horn neurons having input from the low back

BACKGROUND

Stress is known to promote several forms of muscle pain including non-specific low back pain. However, the question if stress alone activates nociceptive central neurons has not been studied systematically. Here, we investigated the influence of repeated immobilization stress on dorsal horn neurons and behaviour in the rat.

METHODS

The stress consisted of immobilization in a narrow tube for 1 h on 12 days. Single dorsal horn neurons were recorded with microelectrodes introduced into the spinal segment L2. In this segment, about 14% of the neurons responded to mechanical stimulation of the subcutaneous soft tissues of the low back in naïve rats. The neurons often behaved like wide dynamic range cells in that they had a low mechanical threshold and showed graded responses to noxious stimuli.

RESULTS

The stress-induced changes in neuronal response behaviour were (1) appearance of new receptive fields in the deep tissues of the hindlimb, (2) increased input from deep soft tissues, but unchanged input from the skin and (3) significant increase in resting activity. Surprisingly, the pressure-pain threshold of the low back remained unchanged, although dorsal horn neurons were sensitized. In the open field test, the rats showed signs of increased anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that stress alone is sufficient to sensitize dorsal horn neurons. The data may explain the enhanced pain low back patients report when they are under stress. The increased resting discharge may lead to spontaneous pain.

Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain Among Rural Hand-woven Carpet Weavers in Iran

Background

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common and disabling problem among carpet weavers and is linked to physical and psychosocial factors of work. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSP, its psychosocial risk factors, and association of pain in each pair of anatomical sites among carpet weavers.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among 546 hand-woven carpet weavers in rural small-scale workshops of Iran. Data were collected by using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire focused on MSP in 10 body sites, including the low-back, neck, both right and left shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed applying logistic regression models.

Results

Prevalence of MSP in at least one body site was 51.7% over the past month. The most common sites were low back and right shoulder pain 27.4% and 20.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the mean number of painful anatomical sites and the level of education, age, physical loading at work, time pressure, lack of support, and job dissatisfaction. In pairwise comparisons, strongest association was found between pain in each bilateral anatomical site (odds ratio = 11.6–35.3; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In home-based workshops of carpet weaving, psychosocial factors and physical loading were associated with MSP. This finding is consistent with studies conducted among other jobs. Considering the preventive programs, the same amount of attention should be paid to psychosocial risk factors and physical loading. Also, further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the relationship of psychological factors.

Work-related psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders in hospital nurses and nursing aides: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the association between psychosocial risk factors in the workplace and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in nurses and aides.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

An electronic search was performed using MEDLINE (Pubmed), Psychinfo, Web of Science, Tripdatabase, Cochrane Central Controlled Trials, NIOSHTIC and Joanna Briggs Institute of Systematic Reviews on Nursing and Midwifery, to identify observational studies assessing the role of psychosocial risk factors on MSD in hospital nurses and nursing aides.

REVIEW METHODS

Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. Quality assessment was conducted independently by two reviewers using an adapted version of the Standardized Quality Scale. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed by subsets based on specific anatomical site and the exposure to specific psychosocial risk factors. Heterogeneity for each subset of meta-analysis was assessed and meta-regressions were conducted to examine the source of heterogeneity among studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles were included in the review, seventeen of which were selected for meta-analysis. An association was identified between high psychosocial demands-low job control with prevalent and incident low back pain (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.22-1.99 and OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.14-2.01, respectively), prevalent shoulder pain (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.53-2.34), prevalent knee pain (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.07-4.54), and prevalent pain at any anatomical site (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.09-1.75). Effort-reward imbalance was associated with prevalent MSD at any anatomical site (OR 6.13; 95% CI 5.32-7.07) and low social support with incident back pain (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.43-2.32). Heterogeneity was generally low for most subsets of meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that psychosocial risk factors at the workplace are associated with MSD in hospital nurses and nursing aides. Although most preventive strategies at the workplace are focused on ergonomic risk factors, improving the psychosocial work environment might have an impact on reducing MSDs.

Work-related stress in midlife is associated with higher number of mobility limitation in older age-results from the FLAME study

The aim of this study is to investigate whether work-related stress symptoms in midlife are associated with a number of mobility limitations during three decades from midlife to late life. Data for the study come from the Finnish Longitudinal Study of Municipal Employees (FLAME). The study includes a total of 5429 public sector employees aged 44-58 years at baseline who had information available on work-related stress symptoms in 1981 and 1985 and mobility limitation score during the subsequent 28-year follow-up. Four midlife work-related stress profiles were identified: negative reactions to work and depressiveness, perceived decrease in cognition, sleep disturbances, and somatic symptoms. People with a high number of stress symptoms in 1981 and 1985 were categorized as having constant stress. The number of self-reported mobility limitations was computed based on an eight-item list of mobility tasks presented to the participants in 1992, 1997, and 2009. Data were analyzed using joint Poisson regression models. The study showed that depending on the stress profile, persons suffering from constant stress in midlife had a higher risk of 30-70 % for having one more mobility limitation during the following 28 years compared to persons without stress after adjusting for mortality, several lifestyle factors, and chronic conditions. A less pronounced risk increase (20-40 %) was observed for persons with occasional symptoms. The study suggests that effective interventions aiming to reduce work-related stress should focus on both primary and secondary prevention.

Relationship between Psychosocial Risk Factors and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Public Hospital Nurses in Malaysia

Objective

This study examined the relationships between psychosocial work factors and risk of WRMSDs among public hospital nurses in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 660 public hospital nurses. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the occurrence of WRMSDs according to body regions, socio-demographic profiles, occupational information and psychosocial risk factors. 468 questionnaires were returned (response rate of 71%), and 376 questionnaires qualified for subsequent analysis. Univariate analyses were applied to test for mean and categorical differences across the WRMSDs; multiple logistic regression was applied to predict WRMSDs based on the Job Strain Model’s psychosocial risk factors.

Results

Over two thirds of the sample of nurses experienced discomfort or pain in at least one site of the musculoskeletal system within the last year. The neck was the most prevalent site (48.94%), followed by the feet (47.20%), the upper back (40.69%) and the lower back (35.28%). More than 50% of the nurses complained of having discomfort in region one (neck, shoulders and upperback) and region four (hips, knees, ankles, and feet). The results also revealed that psychological job demands, job strain and iso-strain ratio demonstrated statistically significant mean differences (p < 0.05) between nurses with and without WRMSDs. According to univariate logistic regression, all psychosocial risk factors illustrated significant association with the occurrence of WRMSDs in various regions of the body (OR: 1.52–2.14). Multiple logistic regression showed all psychosocial risk factors were significantly associated with WRMSDs across body regions (OR: 1.03–1.19) except for region 1 (neck, shoulders and upper back) and region 4 (hips, knees, ankles, and feet). All demographic variables except for years of employment were statistically and significantly associated with WRMSDs (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings indicated the high prevalence of WRMSDs in many body regions, and the risks of developing WRMSDs according to the various body regions were associated with important psychosocial risk factors based on the job strain model. These findings have implications for the management of WRMSDs among public hospital nurses in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Exploring lifetime occupational exposure and SLE flare: a patient-focussed pilot study

Introduction

Environmental effectors, such as ultraviolet radiation exposure, infection and stress, have been established as having a role in exacerbating lupus symptoms. However, unpredictable patterns of flare events still remain a mystery. Occupational effectors have also been suggested as having a contributing role; however, they are not widely researched. In this paper we report a pilot study designed to generate focus areas for future research regarding occupational exposures and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

The study explored potential links between exposures and the occurrence of patient-reported flare events in 80 Australian women with SLE (American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria classified). Specifically, the study assessed the hypothesis that occupational exposure is associated with significant changes in the likelihood of lupus flares. Lifetime employment history was analysed with the Finnish Job Exposure Matrix (FINJEM), 40 different semiquantified exposure class estimates for a wide number of occupations based on probability of exposure (p≥5%=exposed) were analysed with the construction of negative binomial regression models to test relationships between occupational agents and flare days. A backward stepwise elimination was used to generate a parsimonious model.

Results

Significant associations were noted for exposure classes of manual handling burden, (p=0.02, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.01), Iron (p=0.00, IRR 1.37), wood dust (p=0.00, IRR 3.34) and asbestos (p=0.03, IRR 2.48).

Conclusion

Exposure assessment results indicated that occupations, such as nursing, with a high manual handling burden, posed increased risk to patients with SLE, however, the greatest risk was associated with wood dust and iron exposure with teachers and specialist labourers.