Are work stressors related to employee substance use? The importance of temporal context assessments of alcohol and illicit drug use.

In this study, the author explored the relations of 2 work stressors (work overload and job insecurity) to employee alcohol use and illicit drug use. The primary goal was to explore the importance of temporal context (before work, during the workday, and after work) in the assessment of substance use compared with context-free (overall) assessments. Data were collected from a national sample of U.S. workers (N = 2,790) who took part in a broad cross-sectional survey on workplace health and safety. Consistent with past research, the results fail to support a relation between work stressors and overall measures of alcohol and illicit drug use. However, the results support the relation of work stressors to alcohol and illicit drug use before work, during the workday, and after work. These results provide support for both the stress-induced substance use and stress response dampening propositions of the tension-reduction hypothesis. When exploring the work environment as a potential cause of employee substance use, these results underscore the importance of measures that assess alcohol and illicit drug use in terms of their temporal relation to the workday. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence of illicit drugs detected in the urine of women of childbearing age in Alabama public health clinics

Each year, it is estimated that from 350,000 to 739,000 U.S. infants are exposed in utero to one or more illicit drugs. To estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for illicit drug use by women of childbearing age in Alabama, during 2 months in 1991 the authors collected patient-reported histories, clinical histories, and urine specimens from 6,195 women statewide attending public health maternity clinics, family planning clinics, and a high-risk referral obstetrical clinic. Blind drug screening of urine specimens for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, barbiturates, and amphetamines was performed with the use of a fluorescent polarization immunoassay. The overall prevalence of positive results for drugs tested was 10.1 percent, including 8.4 percent of the 3,554 pregnant and 12.3 percent of the 2,571 nonpregnant women screened. The drugs most frequently detected were marijuana and cocaine. Characteristics of the subjects associated with a higher prevalence of positive results for any drug tested or for marijuana included white race, older age, being divorced, non student occupation, having 12 or less years of education, attending a clinic located in a suburban county, self-reported substance use, increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection, and reproductive history. Characteristics of women with positive screening for cocaine results were similar to those who tested positive for any drug, except that the prevalence of cocaine was higher among black women and those attending urban county clinics and did not vary by years of education. Patient-reported histories of drug use were insensitive in identifying women who had positive drug screening results (sensitivity, 6.3 percent; specificity, 98.2 percent). Thus, in this study,the use of illicit drugs among women of childbearing age attending public clinics in Alabama was common and emphasizes the need for targeted drug education and interventions to reduce the impact of drug use on this high-risk population.     

Differences in Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Construction Workers

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that one in four persons in the United States will be of Hispanic origin by 2050, up from one in eight in 2002. Driven by immigration, this dramatic growth in the Hispanic population will present unique challenges in the workplace. In construction, the increase in the Hispanic population has enabled the industry to meet its workforce demands. Unfortunately, this has occurred with costs in the health and safety of Hispanic construction workers. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current population survey, current employment survey, survey of occupational injuries and illnesses, and census of fatal occupational injuries, this study examines relative differences in injuries, illnesses, and fatalities between Hispanic and non-Hispanic construction workers by occupation. The findings show that differences in injuries, illnesses, and fatalities exist between Hispanic and non-Hispanic construction workers, although not always unfavorably toward Hispanics, and the difference does vary by occupation. The implication of the increasing size of the Hispanic construction workforce with respect to construction safety and health training needs is discussed.     

Dental caries, restoration and tooth conditions in U.S. adults, 1988-1991. Selected findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This article provides estimates of dental caries experience and selected restorative and tooth conditions among U.S. adults, obtained from Phase 1 (1988-1991) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Between 1988 and 1991, 94 percent of adults in the United States showed evidence of past or present coronal caries. Based on the data collected, the authors estimate that about 40.5 percent, or 61.6 million, dentate adults had at least one tooth or tooth space that could potentially benefit from professional treatment. Minimally, it is estimated that 135.6 million tooth or tooth spaces among U.S. adults may benefit from professional treatment. These estimates supplement information available from the DMF index to provide a broader profile of the impact of dental caries on permanent tooth of U.S. adults.     

Thrombolytic eligibility

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and time trends for diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and impaired glucose tolerance in U.S. adults by age, sex, and race or ethnic group, based on data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994 (NHANES III) and prior Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (HANESs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: NHANES III contained a probability sample of 18,825 U.S. adults > or = 20 years of age who were interviewed to ascertain a medical history of diagnosed diabetes, a subsample of 6,587 adults for whom fasting plasma glucose values were obtained, and a subsample of 2,844 adults between 40 and 74 years of age who received an oral glucose tolerance test. The Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976-1980, and Hispanic HANES used similar procedures to ascertain diabetes. Prevalence was calculated using the 1997 American Diabetes Association fasting plasma glucose criteria and the 1980-1985 World Health Organization (WHO) oral glucose tolerance test criteria. RESULTS: Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in 1988-1994 was estimated to be 5.1% for U.S. adults > or = 20 years of age (10.2 million people when extrapolated to the 1997 U.S. population). Using American Diabetes Association criteria, the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes (fasting plasma glucose > or = 126 mg/dl) was 2.7% (5.4 million), and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (110 to < 126 mg/dl) was 6.9% (13.4 million). There were similar rates of diabetes for men and women, but the rates for non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-Americans were 1.6 and 1.9 times the rate for non-Hispanic whites. Based on American Diabetes Association criteria, prevalence of diabetes (diagnosed plus undiagnosed) in the total population of people who were 40-74 years of age increased from 8.9% in the period 1976-1980 to 12.3% by 1988-1994. A similar increase was found when WHO criteria were applied (11.4 and 14.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of abnormal fasting and postchallenge glucose found in NHANES III, together with the increasing frequency of obesity and sedentary lifestyles in the population, make it likely that diabetes will continue to be a major health problem in the U.S.     

Work-related risk factors and employee substance use: Insights from a sample of Israeli blue-collar workers.

Although studies have found evidence that certain workplace conditions in North American enterprises may serve as risk factors for alcohol and illicit drug use, little is known regarding the generalizability of these findings to enterprises in other countries. To address this gap, we collected data from a random sample of 569 blue-collar workers employed in nine different facilities of one of Israel's largest manufacturing firms. The results of zero-inflated Poisson and ordered probit regressions partly confirmed earlier findings reported in North America, with a heightened rate of a substance use among those perceiving (a) more permissive drinking norms, (b) lower supervisor ability to handle substance use problems, (c) greater exposure to job hazards, and (d) lower levels of coworker interactions. Permissive drinking norms were also found to moderate the associations between the other risk factors and substance use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Workplace absenteeism and alcohol use: A sequential analysis.

This investigation examined the day-to-day relationship between alcohol use and workplace absenteeism among a sample of participants (N = 280) employed in 1 of 3 large companies located in the northeastern U.S. With a semistructured interview, information was collected from employees about specific days of drinking during a 1-month period and marked on a calendar. Data about employees' absences during the same target time period were collected from the companies' human resource departments and were also marked on a calendar. A significant relationship was found between alcohol use and workplace absences; workers were, roughly 2 times more likely to be absent from work the day after alcohol was consumed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification of drug abuse

Drug abuse poses health and safety hazards, both in the workplace and in the wider community. There is increasing pressure to use urine drug tests to determine the prevalence of drug abuse, to deter illicit use of drugs, and to identify drug abusers for rehabilitation. Drug-abuse testing programs have been implemented for employees, job applicants, policemen, firemen, enlisted personnel of the army, athletes, and workers in occupations that are considered critical to public safety and health, such as those in nuclear power plants and the transportation industry. Since the consequences of a positive test can be quite severe, there is a need to develop uniform and internationally recognized methods for identifying drug abuse. The paper discusses selection of biological specimens for drug-abuse testing, main characteristics of drugs of abuse and recommended analytical techniques for their determination. The importance of a quality assurance program for drug-testing laboratories is emphasised.     

Contracting for treatment termination to reduce illicit drug use among methadone maintenance treatment failures.

Evaluated the effectiveness of a contingency contracting intervention on reducing illicit drug use by 21 25–60 yr old male methadone maintenance patients selected on the basis of positive urinalysis results during a 60-day baseline. The intervention consisted of a 30-day contract, which stated that Ss would continue to receive a specified dosage of methadone, would not be asked to leave the program or detoxify, and would not use illicit drugs during the contract period. Illicit drug use was significantly reduced during the 30-day intervention and remained below baseline levels during a 60-day follow-up. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Estimating the costs of occupational injury in the United States

This article estimates workplace injury costs in the U.S. These costs have been studied in less detail than most injury costs. Our methods, which mostly use regularly published data, produce order-of-magnitude estimates. Overall, workplace injuries cost the U.S. an estimated $140 billion annually. This estimate includes $17 billion in medical and emergency services, $60 billion in lost productivity, $5 billion in insurance costs, and $62 billion in lost quality of life. One sixth of the societal costs result from the 3% of workplace injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Motor vehicle costs per injury are almost 6 times the workplace injury average.     

Prevalence and implications of perinatal substance use in Missouri

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of perinatal substance use in Missouri. The population sample studied was selected according to a multi-stage probability-proportional-to-size sampling. The weighted prevalence for perinatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances was 31.9%, 10.8% for illicit substances, 21.9% for tobacco use, and 7.9% for self-reported alcohol use. In 1993, an estimated 23,925 perinatal exposures to licit and illicit substances occurred.     

U.S. Workplace bullying: Some basic considerations and consultation interventions.

Bullying in the workplace is a worldwide phenomenon. There is a sizable professional literature on workplace bullying based largely on studies in European and other countries in comparison to studies involving U.S. corporations. Psychological consultants to U.S. corporations need to know and understand how certain considerations such as prevalence, legal reform and issues, and employers’ response to bullying differ in the United States compared with other countries. This article provides an overview of these considerations, emphasizing prevalence studies on bullying in the United States. It then describes one successful consultation intervention that targeting bullying in a U.S. corporation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in ecstasy use in the United States from 1995 to 2001: Comparison with marijuana users and association with other drug use.

This study aims to estimate changes in the prevalence of ecstasy use over time, analyze the overlap of ecstasy use and other drug use, and compare other drug use in ecstasy versus marijuana users. The authors hypothesized that ecstasy users early in the "epidemic" would be polydrug users and that associations between ecstasy and other drug use would diminish as the prevalence of ecstasy use increased. Data were drawn from public use data files from the 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Ecstasy use increased in the U.S. population and the prevalence was greater in younger age groups. Ecstasy users were likely to use a variety of other drugs; however, association of ecstasy use with other drug use was strongest early in the "epidemic," diminishing as the number of new users increased. Later, more drug-naive adolescents and young adults began experimenting with ecstasy. These results can orient prevention strategies that target ecstasy users. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Estimate of mortality from occupational cancer and of carcinogen exposure in the workplace in Spain in the 90's

We estimated the number of cancers attributed to occupational exposures in Spain, and examined the prevalence of carcinogenic exposures in the workplace. We used population, labour, mortality and morbidity statistics and applied an approach used by Doll and Peto for the population of the USA. In men 6% and in women 1% of all cancers can be attributed to occupational exposures. Lung cancer accounts for 62% of all occupational cancers. About 402,346 men and women are employed in industries or occupations entailing a well recognised carcinogenic risk. In addition, a large but unquantifiable number of workers are employed in various other occupations and industries where exposure to carcinogenic chemical or physical agents may occur. The identification and control of carcinogenic exposures may lead to the prevention of a considerable number of cancers in the Spanish adult population.     

A new p21waf1/cip1 isoform is an early event of cell response to oxidative stress

BACKGROUND: A population-based hemochromatosis screening program that uses serum transferrin saturation has been proposed, but few data exist on the number of U.S. adults that such a program would identify for further testing. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of an initially elevated serum transferrin saturation and the prevalence of concurrently elevated serum transferrin saturation and serum ferritin levels in the adult population of the United States. DESIGN: Nationally representative cross-sectional survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population. PARTICIPANTS: 15 839 men and nonpregnant women 20 years of age and older who were examined in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). MEASUREMENTS: Single measurements of serum transferrin saturations and serum ferritin levels. Cut-off values used to define elevated serum transferrin saturation ranged from greater than 45% to greater than 62%. RESULTS: The prevalence of initially elevated serum transferrin saturation ranged from 1% to 6%. Approximately 11% to 22% of those with elevated serum transferrin saturation had concurrently elevated serum ferritin levels. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation was lower in women than in men when the same cut-off value was used to define elevated serum transferrin saturation. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation in non-Hispanic black persons and Mexican-Americans was similar to or slightly less than that in non-Hispanic white persons. The prevalence of elevated serum transferrin saturation in persons 20 to 49 years of age was as high as or higher than that in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: A hemochromatosis screening program that uses a cut-off value of greater than 60% to define elevated serum transferrin saturation would identify an estimated 1.4 to 2.5 million U.S. adults for further testing.     

Older people--the reserve army of volunteers?: an analysis of volunteerism among older Australians

This paper examines the relationship between illicit drug use and labour market success, and in doing so addresses two shortcomings of the previous literature. First, unlike many previous analyses, ours accounts for differences in intensity of use using clinically based diagnostic measures. Second, while recent studies focus only on young adults, we analyze a prime-age (30-45-year-olds) sample as well. Our results indicate that these differences are important. Similar to previous studies, we find evidence of a positive relationship between drug use and income for young workers. However, we also find some evidence of lower incomes for young workers reporting daily use of illicit drugs. For prime-age men, we find strong evidence that problematic drug use (as indicated by either a diagnosis of pathological use or dependence or by daily use) is negatively related to income. We also find a negative relationship between problematic use and employment among prime-age, but not younger, men.     

Breast Cancer Screening among Employed American Women

From the 1990 National Health Interview Survey Health Promotion and Disease Prevention supplement, the authors estimated the 1990 baseline prevalence of breast cancer screening among employed U.S. women aged 50-70 years. Proportions of women screened for breast cancer were calculated by occupational category and demographic characteristics, and were compared with the Healthy People 2000 objective that 60% of women aged 50 and older have had mammography and a clinical breast examination within the preceding two years. The objective was exceeded for white-collar workers (61.8%) and workers with some college (64.1%), but was not met by any blue-collar/service workers (40.8%); or any workers with only a high school diploma (54.7%) or less than a high school diploma (38.5%). Identification of occupational categories and demographic subgroups among working women will be helpful to those planning breast cancer screening programs, in both the public and the private sectors.     

Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Wage Differentials: Implications for United States Construction Industry

The shortage of skilled construction workers is considered to be one of the greatest challenges facing the United States construction industry. To meet workforce demands, the industry is increasingly relying on Hispanic construction workers. The result has been a strong increase in Hispanic construction workers, especially in the Western and Southern United States where Hispanics already comprise 31 and 24% of the total construction workforce, respectively. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Current Population Survey (CPS), this study examines relative differences in hourly wages between Hispanic and non-Hispanic construction workers. The finding suggests that Hispanic workers earn less than their non-Hispanic counterparts controlling for experience, occupation, schooling, and geographical location. The implication of the increasing size of the Hispanic construction workforce with respect to industry real wages and education needs is discussed, along with the workforce’s ability to adopt future technologies and workforce strategies.