Perceived work conditions and work-related symptoms among employed Finns

The aim of the study was to determine the number and nature of perceived harmful work conditions and perceived work-related symptoms among employed Finns by sex and socioeconomic group. The associations between perceived harmful work conditions and perceived symptoms were also investigated. Knowledge of perceived work-related ill health can serve as a basis for health promotion at work. In a computer-assisted telephone interview of 2744 salaried employees and wage-earners, the respondents were asked about perceived harmful work conditions as well as perceived health complaints, and their relatedness to work. At least one harmful factor at work was reported by 94% of the respondents, and half of them reported more than three such factors. The most commonly occurring harmful factors were increased work pace, mental demand, repetitive movements, and noise. Of the symptoms perceived as work-related, musculoskeletal symptoms were the most common. They were reported by 44% of the respondents, followed by mental symptoms (26%), psychosomatic symptoms (19%), and respiratory or sensory symptoms (15%). Both the reporting of perceived harmful work factors and perceived work-related symptoms varied by socioeconomic group and sex. Perceived work-related musculoskeletal symptoms were associated with perceived ergonomic harmful work factors among both the men and the women, with physical or chemical work factors among the men, and with psychosocial or work organizational factors among the women. Perceived work-related respiratory symptoms were associated with perceived harmful physical or chemical work factors among both the men and the women, and both groups also reported mental and psychosomatic symptoms in relation to harmful psychosocial or organizational work factors. Among the women psychosomatic symptoms and harmful ergonomic work factors were also related. Perceived harmful factors at work and work-related symptoms are common among the work force. Even though the degree of work-related ill health was related to socioeconomic group, the reporting of particular symptoms indicated the probability of a particular work factor being considered harmful independently of socioeconomic group, although there was some relationship to sex. The implications for occupational health services are evident; employees' work-related symptoms can serve as an indicator of (preventable) perceived problems at work.     

A Study of the Health of Seafaring Workers of Valencia, Spain

Under the auspices of the Service of Maritime Health of the Marine Social Institute of Valencia, Spain, the health status of seafaring workers from Valencia was evaluated. An epidemiologic study was carried out based on 707 pre-embarkation health examinations, collecting information about the health problems of these workers and their associated risk factors. The data were analyzed to estimate population frequencies and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Significance among groups was calculated by the chi-square test (p < 0.05). Relative risks were calculated in comparisons of the seafaring workers with the general population of Valencia. High incidences of ophthalmologic disorders were found in workers over 50 years of age (15.9%) and in alcohol consumers (29.3%). Digestive problems were observed among alcohol-consuming (21.7%) workers 31-40 years old (8.5%). Risk factors for circulatory disorders increased steadily among those over age 50 (9.0%), non-smokers (10.3%), and those weighing more than 75 kg (8.2%). Finally, respiratory diseases were more frequent among individuals whose work involved fishing (12.7%). Risks increased with alcohol and tobacco consumption (16.6% and 17.5%, respectively). The risks of developing circulatory and ophthalmologic disorders were 10.5 and 10.3 times greater, respectively, among the seafaring workers than in the general population, while the risks of infections and genitourinary disorders were 10.2 and 9.7 times greater. Workers at high risk for health problems were typically more than 51 years old, with body weights of more than 75 kg, family histories of health problems, and heavy use of tobacco and alcohol. Compared with the general population of Valencia and the national population of Spain, the prevalences of ophthalmologic, digestive, respiratory, and circulatory disorders were higher in the seafaring workers.     

The diagnosis and clinical manifestations of activated protein C resistance: a case report and review of the literature

A survey of musculoskeletal problems among visual display unit (VDU) users was carried out in a bank using a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of complaints in various body parts were: neck--31.4%, back 30.6%, shoulder--16.5%, hand and wrist--14.9% and arm--6.6%. Frequent users of VDU had significantly more musculoskeletal problems in the neck and shoulder regions than infrequent users. Individual musculoskeltal complaints were associated with various risk factors including personal attributes, working posture, repetitive movements and work station design. Back, neck and shoulder problems were more related to unfavourable working postures, white arm, hand and wrist problems were more affected by repetitive movements. Some risk factors for musculoskeletal problems were specifically related to the nature or design of VDU work. Modification of the workstation design and improvement in work organization should be able to reduce the prevalence of these disorders.     

Women's occupational health: a critical review and discussion of current issues

Action to improve women's occupational health has been slowed by a notion that women's jobs are safe and that any health problems identified among women workers can be attributed to unfitness for the job or unnecessary complaining. With increasing numbers of women in the labor force, the effects of work on women's health have recently started to interest health care providers, health and safety representatives and researchers. We begin our summary of their discoveries with a discussion of women's place in the workplace and its implications for occupational health, followed by a brief review of some gender-insensitive data-gathering techniques. We have then chosen to concentrate on the following four areas: methods and data collection; directing attention to women's occupational health problems; musculoskeletal disease; mental and emotional stress. We conclude by pointing out some neglected occupational groups and health issues.     

Factors related to utilization of services for mental health reasons in Montreal, Canada

This study examines factors related to the utilization of services for mental health reasons by Montreal residents. Data were drawn from telephone interviews. A random sample of 893 respondents completed a questionnaire on service utilization and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule Self Administered to assess DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders. Results indicate that 12.8% of the population had used such services in the past year. Medical doctors and psychiatrists, whose services are free of charge under universal health coverage, were consulted, respectively, by 4.1% and 2.0% of respondents. Psychologists, whose services are not free, were seen by 3.4% of respondents. In all, 42.0% of respondents who presented a current diagnosis used services in the past year. The highest proportion of users (48.0%) was found among respondents who presented both current and lifetime diagnoses and among respondents with comorbidity. The choice of caregiver was related also to pattern of disorders: respondents with current and comorbid disorders tended to consult general practitioners, while respondents with lifetime disorders or with lifetime and current disorders favoured specialized care. In line with other studies, self-perception of mental health, gender and marital status were related to utilization; unlike other studies, attitudes and age were not. It is argued that particularities found in this study stem not only from methodological considerations, but also from the configuration of the mental health system in Quebec, where the greater availability of psychologists may facilitate service utilization.     

Bacteriophages induced by ciprofloxacin in a Borrelia burgdorferi skin isolate

A retrospective study of 25,448 new cases of patients with various types of eczemas seen over a two-year period (1989-1990) was conducted. This represented 34.1% of new cases (74,589) seen at the Centre. The M:F ratio was 1:1. Occupational and ethnic distribution did not differ from that of the total outpatient population. 67% were endogenous eczema. Among the endogenous eczema, the majority (70%) were either non-specified endogenous eczema, hand and feet eczema or atopic dermatitis. 13.7% were contact dermatitis. Of these, 50% were non-specified contact dermatitis, 39% were irritant contact dermatitis and 11% were allergic contact dermatitis. Unskilled workers (19.1%) and housewives (12%) had the highest proportion for contact dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis (0.5% of all eczemas) was commonest among the elderly (68.3%) and Malays (19.7%). The prevalence of endogenous eczema had increased sharply from 31% in 1973 to 67% in 1989/90. In contrast, the proportion of exogenous eczemas over all eczemas seen has decreased from 48% to 15.4% (1973 to 1989/90).     

Study on musculoskeletal complaints involving the back, neck and upper limbs

OBJECTIVE & METHODS: A mail questionnaire survey was conducted among designated factory doctors (DFDs) to determine the nature and extent of musculoskeletal aches/pains in patients attending their clinics over one working week. Information was recorded for all patients aged 15 years and above presenting with aches or pains in the back, neck or upper limbs, as the main complaint or as one of the presenting symptoms. RESULTS: For the 155 doctors participating in the survey, the total attendance of patients aged 15 years and above during the study period was 35,010. Of these, 3.9% presented with the symptoms studied and 1.8% had work-related complaints. The commonest site affected was the back (55.7%), followed by the neck (21.4%) and shoulders (19.2%). A higher proportion of males than females had back complaints with the reverse for complaints involving hands/wrists and arms/forearms. 82.3% of the affected were employed, 60.3% being production workers, compared to 33.3% professional/office workers and 6.4% service workers. Of the patients who were working, 51.3% had work-related symptoms and 54.4% were given medical leave. Production workers had the highest proportion with work-related symptoms while service workers had the highest proportion given medical leave. The "medical certificate rate" was highest for back symptoms -57.6%, while work-related symptoms was highest for complaints involving hands/wrists. CONCLUSION: The study findings are consistent with those of a 1993 morbidity survey of outpatients in Singapore and indicate that the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal aches/pains is not high.     

Eating habits of employees in the metal industry: determinants and patterns]

OBJECTIVE: To describe the proportion of frequent attenders among primary health care patients and their sociodemographic characteristics, morbidity and reasons for encounter. DESIGN: A cross-sectional case-control study. SETTING: A municipal health centre in Oulainen, a small rural town in northern Finland. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and four frequent attenders (eight or more visits to health centre physicians (GPs) during the year 1994) and 304 age- and sex-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic characteristics, numbers of encounters, chronic diseases classified by ICD-9 and reasons for encounter coded by the International Classification of Primary Care chapter codes (ICPC). RESULTS: 4.7% of the population aged 15 years or older and 6.8% of the annual patients were frequent attenders and they made 23.5% of all encounters with GPs. The frequent attenders had lower basic education and there were more people on disability pension among them. They had significantly more mental disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal and digestive systems than the controls. The frequent attenders' most common reasons for encounter were musculoskeletal problems, and they had significantly more musculoskeletal, digestive system and psychiatric reasons for encounters than the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent attenders express more somatic and less psychiatric reasons for encounter than can be assumed according to their morbidity. The role of somatization is discussed.     

Molecular tools for presymptomatic testing in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

This study sought to determine the prevalence of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) among keyboard operators in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to compare this prevalence with that among other office workers. One hundred and thirty keyboard operators (mean age 33 years, 60 male/70 female) and 138 office workers (mean age 35 years, 82 male/56 female) from two computing centers were interviewed by a research assistant using a standardized questionnaire. Symptomatic subjects, defined as those who reported upper extremity pain or lost work time due to pain in the preceding 12 months, were examined by a rheumatologist. Mean (SD) lengths of employment were 9 (6) years for keyboard operators and 8 (6) years for office workers. Upper-extremity pain during the preceding seven days was reported by 66 keyboard operators (51%) and by 18 office workers (13%) (p < 0.0001); during the preceding 12 months, by 90 keyboard operators (69%) and by 26 office workers (19%) (p < 0.0001). UEMSDs were diagnosed following physical examination in 50 keyboard operators and in 12 office workers (9%) (p < 0.0001). Tenosynovitis was the most common disorder diagnosed among the keyboard operators (n = 23). Among the keyboard operators the prevalence of UEMSDs was significantly lower for males (p = 0.017, OR = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.17-0.86). The presence of a diagnosed UEMSD was significantly associated with duration of employment (p = 0.005) and lack of or insufficient rest breaks (p = 0.012). Keyboard operators had significantly more UEMSDs than did office workers. Strategies aimed at the reduction of repetitive strain injuries among keyboard operators, such as the provision of adequate work breaks, should be evaluated.     

Health of female shiftworkers in Singapore

More than 200,000 persons in Singapore work shifts. Over half of these shiftworkers are females. With the continued emphasis on capital-intensive industries and growing demand for "round-the-clock" services, shiftwork is increasingly an economic necessity for more and more industries and a way of life for many Singaporeans. It is generally accepted that about 20% of those who start shiftwork may find it difficult to continue in such work, usually for social rather than medical reasons. For those who continue on shiftwork, concerns have been raised regarding possible health effects, such as increased incidence of digestive disorders and ulcers, chronic fatigue and cardiovascular disorders. In the case of female shiftworkers, there is also the concern that the added responsibilities of looking after the home and young children may further aggravate sleep problems associated with shiftwork, thus adversely affecting their health. So far, our own studies of female electronics workers on 8-hour as well as 12-hour shift schedules indicate no serious long-term health effects. The study subjects had been employed in such work for at least over a year, some as long as 17 years and 6 years, respectively. Except for complaints of sleep problems and tiredness among some rotating shiftworkers, no significant differences in symptom prevalence, blood pressure or sickness absence were found between the shift and day workers. While the findings are reassuring, further studies may be needed to determine if preventive measures can be taken to minimise the common complaints of sleep problems and tiredness, particularly among rotating shiftworkers.     

Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Construction Industry

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute more than half of the total injuries and illnesses within the construction industry. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of MSD among construction workers and identify the psychosocial and physical risk factors associated with their occurrence using an on-site survey instrument. One hundred forty seven construction workers (representing three trades) participated in the study. The 1-year prevalence of MSD was high with 61.2% reporting severe symptoms and 39.7% having some functional impairment due to MSD. Physical task requirement was the most important factor associated with MSD reflecting the physical nature of construction work. Economic and performance factors were the most stressful psychosocial factors reported and significantly increased the risk of reporting MSD. The findings of this research underscore the independent role that psychosocial factors play in the health and safety of construction workers. Understanding this role is imperative for practitioners and academics alike in the quest to make construction a safer work environment for all workers.     

Protein engineering as a tool for crystallography

A questionnaire survey of 260 health care workers from 13 randomly selected health care facilities was undertaken. Their knowledge, attitude, belief and blood handling practices regarding HIV/AIDS were enquired about. Virtually all (99.0%) respondents had heard about AIDS but only 57.0% had seen an AIDS patient before. Although 83.0% knew that AIDS is caused by a virus, a high proportion still confuses mode of transmission with causative agent. Deficient knowledge was exhibited when asked about groups of people who were at a higher risk of contracting HIV and AIDS: Only 54.6% and 51.5% identified homosexuals and i.v. drug users as being at a higher risk. Almost all (97.0%) of our respondents claimed to have been more careful in their blood handling practices since the emergence of AIDS, 68.5% wore gloves for all procedures involving handling of blood and 28.5% sometimes although as many as 30.4%, 40.4% and 18.1% do not wear gloves for cleaning up blood stained materials, nursing procedures and taking obstetric delivery respectively. It was evident from their responses that not all the health workers knew the correct method for disposing of used bloodstained instruments and left-over blood samples and neither were they all adhering to the safety guidelines recommended for handling these materials. Education of all health care workers in Nigeria on the Universal Precautions Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 1987 regarding blood, body fluids and contaminated instruments' handling precautions is urgently recommended.     

Use of Trench Boxes for Worker Protection

Work in trenches can be very dangerous if workers are not provided with adequate protection against trench cave-ins. One method of providing for worker protection in trenches is with the use of trench boxes, widely used, engineered structures that permit workers to work safely in trenches. A study of the experiences of utility contractors with the use of trench boxes provided several notable findings that can help in implementing safe work practices in trenches. Most safety problems with the use of trench boxes are attributed to human error or judgment. For example, several respondents commented that workers were observed exiting from the trench boxes by walking up the backfill, a practice that exposes workers to the dangers of trench cave-ins. The importance of training was also evident in the results. Firms with better safety performance records conducted specialized training courses for their employees, and they provided more frequent training courses.     

Psychophysiological stress responses, muscle tension, and neck and shoulder pain among supermarket cashiers.

This study examined psychological and physiological stress, as well as muscle tension and musculoskeletal symptoms, among 72 female supermarket cashiers. Stress levels were found to be significantly elevated at work, as reflected in the catecholamines, blood pressure, heart rate, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and self-reports. Fifty cashiers (70%) suffering from neck-shoulder pain (trapezius myalgia) were found to have higher EMG activity at work and reported more tension after work. Women who kept a diary for 1 week and reported more musculoskeletal pain (above the median) were older, had higher blood pressure, and reported more work stress and psychosomatic symptoms. The elevated stress levels at work are consistent with data from workers involved in other types of repetitive tasks and can be important for the high prevalence of neck and shoulder symptoms among the cashiers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. (SGNA) Endoscopic Disinfectant Survey results compared with control group

Disinfectant surveys from responding members of the American Society of Postanesthesia Nurses were divided into two groups based on whether or not they considered themselves to be exposed to disinfectants in their work environment. Their survey responses were then compared with those obtained previously from members of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., who were regularly exposed to 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde in the work setting. There were significant differences among the groups in the percentage of respondents who reported having headaches, eye irritations, respiratory problems, shortness of breath, rashes, memory loss, mood swings, and fatigue. These findings support the association of these complaints with 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde exposure. In contrast, there were no significant differences among the groups in the percentage of respondents who reported having asthma, rhinitis, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea, muscle/joint pain, visual disturbances, or dermatitis.     

Health conditions among the currently employed

This report presents national estimates of the prevalence and incidence of selected health conditions and their work-related consequences among currently employed persons 18 years of age and over. The major health conditions presented include back pain; hand discomfort; dermatitis; eye, nose, and throat irritation; and work injuries. Also presented are estimates of the distribution of workers on selected physical activities and exposures at work. Data are presented by age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, and broad occupational category.     

Attenuation of S-T segment elevation during repetitive coronary occlusions truly reflects the protection of ischemic preconditioning and is not an epiphenomenon

The study, which was part of a cardiovascular screening programme of 40-42 year old women organised by the National Health Screening Service, wanted to assess the prevalence of locomotor complaints in Middle-Norway. Forty-nine percent of the respondents reported the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain and myalgia was the most and chronic inflammatory joint diseases the least frequent. Between healthy women and some groups of women reporting musculoskeletal disorders, significant differences in sociodemographic background, workload, working ability, and health care utilisation emerged. Among lifestyle factors, smoking was significantly more frequent for women reporting fibromyalgia. Analysing the occurrence of symptoms and diseases in the genital tract revealed that a significantly higher proportion of women reporting musculoskeletal disease answered positively. Differences between healthy women and women reporting pelvic joint syndrome, fibromyalgia, whiplash, or arthritis were significant in bleeding disorders chronic pelvic pain and inflammatory pelvic disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported oophorectomy significantly more often than healthy women. In conclusion, a high rate of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders was reported by middle-aged women. A strong association between musculoskeletal disorders and gynecological disease was found.     

Playing-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians: a systematic review of incidence and prevalence

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders cause pain, disability and loss of employment for many workers, including musicians. Although performing arts medicine is a growing field, the health problems of musicians remain under-recognized and under-researched. Therefore, the author undertook a systematic review of published information on the incidence and prevalence of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in classical musicians. METHODS: Seven databases were searched for the period 1980 to 1996. The main textbook and performing arts medicine journals were searched manually, as were reference lists of all relevant papers. The author also contacted individuals familiar with the literature of performing arts medicine. Studies were included for review if they reported PRMD incidence or prevalence in classical musicians. Of the 24 studies identified, 18 cross-sectional surveys and cohort studies were reviewed. The author subjectively assessed the studies using criteria modified from an existing evaluation scale and used 4 criteria for data combination. On the basis of prevalence values from the eligible studies, chi 2 tests for heterogeneity were performed. RESULTS: Only one study estimated PRMD incidence. Ten of the 17 prevalence studies were ineligible for data combination, because of low response rates and other methodological problems. In the 7 eligible studies, PRMD point prevalence ranged from 39% to 87% in adult musicians and from 34% to 62% in secondary school music students. The best estimates of PRMD prevalence were derived from the 3 studies that excluded mild complaints; these studies indicated that PRMD prevalence was 39% and 47% in adults and 17% in secondary school music students respectively. Statistical combination of data across studies within each demographic category was not possible. INTERPRETATION: Available data indicate that the prevalence of PRMD in adult classical musicians is comparable to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders reported for other occupational groups. Several recommendations for future research are outlined.     

Occupational disease surveillance using disability insurance at an automotive stamping and assembly complex

Sickness and accident-insurance (sick leave) claims at an automotive stamping and assembly complex were analyzed using Poisson regression over a 4-year period to identify occupational health problems. The incidence of lower-respiratory disability (excluding asthma) was higher in painting operations (rate ratio [RR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2 to 6.8), and final assembly and processing areas (RR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.0 to 7.4) at the assembly plant, and in metal assembly (welding) areas (RR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4 to 5.7) at the stamping plant. Disability rates for upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders were statistically significantly higher (RR = 3.1 to 3.8) in major assembly plant production areas, as were back disability rates (RR = 1.5). During the first 6 months of new work assignments in painting or final assembly, respiratory problem rates were four times higher than in other areas. Upper-extremity musculoskeletal rate ratios ranged from 4.4 to 5.7 for new assignments in body, hard trim, and chassis areas. Higher rates in new assignments appeared to result from assignment changes precipitated by developing health problems, or from routine assignments to new tasks, some of which conferred high risk and were tolerated for less than 6 months. Musculoskeletal disability was consistent with known ergonomic hazards and paralleled that reported on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration log. Work-related musculoskeletal and other problems can be readily identified from disability insurance claims without dependence on plant medical visits or workers' compensation records. Disability insurance appears to absorb considerable work-related medical and absence costs.