Journal of Occupational Health最新文献

{"title":"Association between exposure to technological advances in the workplace and work engagement: a prospective cohort study.","authors":"Nuri Purwito Adi, Tomohisa Nagata, Kiminori Odagami, Masako Nagata, Koji Mori","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae003","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study objective was to measure the association between exposure to technological advances and work engagement, adjusting for personal and workplace factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a nationwide online longitudinal survey study in Japan. The sample was stratified to represent Japanese workforce conditions. Work engagement was measured using the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9. Exposure to technological advances was measured using a single question with Likert scale responses. Industry characteristics that were more/less likely to be replaced by automation were also measured. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 16 629 participants. We found that exposure to technological advances was associated with work engagement after adjustment for age, sex, education, income, and industry characteristics. We observed a significant interaction between age and exposure to technological advances (coefficient 0.891, P < .001), and conducted an age-stratified linear regression analysis. The significant association between age and exposure to technological advances reduced as age increased, and disappeared after adjustment for baseline work engagement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Longitudinal observations showed that exposure to technological advances was not significantly associated with work engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11069424/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139513026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosocial characteristics of workers with irritable bowel syndrome and its relationship with abdominal symptoms and work productivity.","authors":"Nagisa Sugaya, Shuhei Izawa, Takeshi Sasaki","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae012","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to validate the psychosocial characteristics and work-related challenges faced by workers exhibiting symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to clarify the factors that exacerbate abdominal symptoms or hinder work productivity by focusing on IBS-related cognitive-behavioral factors and job-related stressors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online survey was conducted from October 5 to October 20, 2023, among workers in Japan aged 20-49 years with more than 30 hours of work per week, excluding managers and the self-employed. The data were obtained from 1062 participants (including 551 women and 329 individuals with IBS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The levels of depression in the IBS group were significantly higher than those in the Non-IBS group (P < .05). Cognitive-behavioral variables associated with abdominal symptoms were positively correlated with work productivity (r = 0.367-0.483, P < .001). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis with IBS symptoms and work productivity as dependent variables revealed a significant effect of the interaction between maladaptive cognition related to abdominal symptoms and job control on IBS symptoms (β = -.164, P = .002). The association between maladaptive cognition and IBS symptoms was more pronounced when job control was lower. Additionally, IBS symptoms (β = .130-.214, P < .05), maladaptive cognition (β = .196-.233, P < .01), and job overload (β = .106-.108, P < .05) significantly influenced work productivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Maladaptive cognition regarding abdominal symptoms may lead to more severe abdominal symptoms in situations with a low sense of work control. Beyond cognitive-behavioral interventions for IBS, enhancing the sense of control over work environments is expected to contribute to alleviating abdominal symptoms and, consequently, enhancing work productivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11060338/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140039676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating exceedances of formaldehyde levels and source identification in offices of an academic medical institute.","authors":"Watcharakorn Chuthong, Vithawat Surawattanasakul, Ratana Sapbamrer, Wachiranun Sirikul","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae049","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae049","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate factors associated with indoor formaldehyde levels in office settings within an academic medical institute.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted in 25 offices (261 workers) at a medical university in Thailand. Questionnaires gathered data on demographics, work patterns, and office equipment usage (printers, photocopiers, air fresheners, liquid paper, glue, cleaning agents, and marker pens). The building environment was assessed by a multidisciplinary team. Formaldehyde levels and relevant parameters (temperature and relative humidity) were measured in each room both indoors and outdoors. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between formaldehyde and office factors, controlling for room conditions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Median office formaldehyde levels were 442.1 μg/m3 (interquartile range: 343.8-908.7 μg/m3), exceeding World Health Organization and Thai guidelines. Photocopier use was significantly associated with higher levels of indoor formaldehyde (β = .20; 95% CI, 0.30-0.37; P = .02). Air freshener use also showed a significant association (β = .56; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81; P < .001). No correlation was found between the use of liquid paper, glue, printers, cleaning agents, or marker pens and indoor formaldehyde levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Indoor formaldehyde levels in these offices exceeded the established guidelines. Use of photocopiers and air fresheners was associated with increased formaldehyde levels. Implementing interventions such as improved ventilation and regular screening is essential for creating healthier office environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11457052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of participatory organizational interventions on mental health and work performance: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Mako Iida, Asuka Sakuraya, Kotaro Imamura, Hiroki Asaoka, Hideaki Arima, Emiko Ando, Akiomi Inoue, Reiko Inoue, Mai Iwanaga, Hisashi Eguchi, Yasumasa Otsuka, Yuka Kobayashi, Yu Komase, Kazuto Kuribayashi, Natsu Sasaki, Kanami Tsuno, Ayako Hino, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Takeshi Ebara, Akihito Shimazu, Norito Kawakami, Akizumi Tsutsumi","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae028","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Participatory organizational interventions to improve psychosocial working conditions are important for a safe and healthy work environment. However, there are few systematic reviews or meta-analyses investigating the effects of these interventions on workers' mental health and work-related outcomes. We intend to apply the protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of participatory organizational intervention on mental health and work performance.</p><p><strong>Methods and analysis: </strong>The participants, interventions, comparisons, and outcomes (PICO) of the studies in this systematic review and meta-analysis are defined as follows: (P) inclusion of all workers, (I) participatory organizational intervention, (C) treatment as usual or no intervention (including waitlist control), and (O) mental health and work performance. Published studies will be searched using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society. Studies that (1) include participatory organizational intervention, (2) include participants who were working as of the baseline survey period, (3) assess mental health or work performance outcomes, (4) use a cluster randomized controlled trials design, (5) are published in English or Japanese, and (6) are published in peer-reviewed journals (including advanced online publication) will be included. Study selection and the risk-of-bias assessment will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. A meta-analysis will be performed to statistically synthesize the included studies. Publication bias will be assessed for meta-bias using Egger's test as well as visually on a funnel plot. We will assess heterogeneity by using the Q statistic.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11272038/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141161560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of cold and hot temperatures on the renal function of people with chronic disease.","authors":"Min Young Park, Joonho Ahn, S Bae, B H Chung, Jun-Pyo Myong, Jongin Lee, Mo-Yeol Kang","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae037","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigated the effects of hot and cold temperature on the renal function of people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, using large-scale clinical data.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used retrospective cohort data from the Clinical Data Warehouse of the Seoul St Mary's Hospital, which contains clinical, diagnostic, laboratory, and other information about all patients who have visited the hospital since 1997. We obtained climate data from the Automated Synoptic Observing System of the Korea Meteorological Administration. The heat index was used as a measuring tool to evaluate heat exposure by indexing the actual heat that individuals feel according to temperature and humidity. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. To investigate changes in renal function trends with heat index, this study used generalized additive mixed models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Renal function decreased linearly with increasing heat index after approximately 25°C, which was considered the flexion point of temperature. A linear decrease in the eGFR was observed with the effects of 0 to 5 lag days. Although there was a correlation observed between the decrease in eGFR and temperatures below -10°C, the results did not indicate statistical significance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of our study provide scientific evidence that high temperatures affect the renal function of people with chronic diseases. These results can help prevent heat-related morbidity by identifying those who are more likely to develop renal disease and experience worsening renal function.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141620147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on \"Non-attendance is associated with work performance due to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination\".","authors":"Hinpetch Daungsupawong, Viroj Wiwanitkit","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae039","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae039","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11368117/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141627022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stress experienced by dental students performing clinical training in different dental disciplines: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Rasha A Alamoush, Sereen Al-Sawaeir, Dima Abu Baker, Sanaa A Aljamani, Salah A Alomoush, Mahmoud K Al-Omiri","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae006","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the stress level, the impact of stress factors, and discrepancies between fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate clinical students at the University of Jordan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in the academic year 2022/2023. The study group included fourth- and fifth-year dental students at the University of Jordan (n = 382) who were asked to voluntarily fill in an online dental environment stress (DES) questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney U test, independent t-test, χ2 test, and Spearman ρ rank correlations. Statistical significance was inferred when P < .05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourth-year students reported higher levels of nervousness before treating patients for the first time. Fifth-year students faced more difficulty, higher stress, and/or fear regarding the amount of assigned work, provided treatment, completed requirements, failing the course, time to finish assignments, patient comprehensive care, and financial expenses of the course. Comparison between groups revealed that the fifth-year students scored higher levels of stress on the total DES score and all partial DES scores. Furthermore, the total DES questionnaire scores were significantly correlated with grade point average (GPA) among the total study sample and the prosthodontics clinical course marks among the fourth-year students' group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The stress level among students in clinical courses was influenced by their academic performance, gender, year level, and the type and time needed for the provided treatment. Completing course requirements was among the most commonly faced stressors. Future research endeavors might be considered to study each clinical factor, its impact on students' stress level, and how to manage and positively improve these factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10899752/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139723039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is organizational intervention using Layered Voice Analysis effective in addressing operator mental health in call centers? A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Naomichi Tani, Yoshihiro Takao, Sakihito Noro, Hiroaki Fujihara, Hisashi Eguchi, Kazuki Sakai, Takeshi Ebara","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae047","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To verify the effects of organizational interventions on mental health using Layered Voice Analysis (LVA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 12-week single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with call center operators. Sixty-six participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 26), an LVA intervention group (n = 20), or a one-on-one intervention group (n = 20). The control group received general self-care information about preventing mental health problems from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan website. The organizational LVA intervention involved group sessions using participants' voice calls with customers, whereas the one-on-one intervention consisted of meetings or consultations with participants and their supervisors to discuss preventing mental health issues at work. To verify the effectiveness of the intervention program, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was administered 4 times (baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks) as the primary outcome, and the data were analyzed using a linear mixed model. The intervention of LVA was subdivided and analyzed into LVA ≥5 times and LVA ≤4 times out of the total 6 interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the control group, a significant CES-D reduction effect was observed at 8/12 weeks for the difference of coefficients (DOC; [βint - βctrl]) for the intervention of LVA ≥5 times (DOC -1.86 and -2.36, respectively). Similarly, even intervention LVA ≤4 times also showed a significant decrease of CES-D scores at 8/12 weeks (DOC -2.20 and -2.38, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>An organizational intervention using LVA has the potential to reduce the risk of depression among call center operators.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11460070/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141982573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of 1-hour computer use on ulnar and median nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity in office workers.","authors":"Kanruethai Threesittidath, Supattra Chaibal, Haifah Nitayarak","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae023","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the effects of 1-hour computer use on ulnar and median nerve conduction velocity and muscle activity in office workers with symptomatic neck pain and asymptomatic office workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 40 participants, both male and female office workers, with symptomatic neck pain (n = 20) and asymptomatic (n = 20), were recruited. Pain intensity, ulnar nerve conduction velocity, median nerve conduction velocity, and muscle activity were determined before and after 1 hour of computer use.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant increase in pain intensity in the neck area in both groups (P < .001). The symptomatic neck pain group revealed a significant decrease in the sensory nerve conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve (P = .008), whereas there was no difference in the median nerve conduction velocity (P > .05). Comparing before and after computer use, the symptomatic neck pain group had less activity of the semispinalis muscles and higher activity of the anterior scalene muscle than the asymptomatic group (P < .05). The trapezius and wrist extensor muscles showed no significant differences in either group (P > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study found signs of neuromuscular deficit of the ulnar nerve, semispinalis muscle, and anterior scalene muscle after 1 hour of computer use among office workers with symptomatic neck pain, which may indicate the risk of neuromuscular impairment of the upper extremities. The recommendation of resting, and encouraging function and flexibility of the neuromuscular system after 1 hour of computer use should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11195575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140863348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sampling targets to assess occupational health in occupational health and safety management system audits: a mixed-methods research in Japan.","authors":"Shunsuke Inoue, Shigeyuki Kajiki, Hayato Shimoda, Amane Fujita, Koji Mori","doi":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae050","DOIUrl":"10.1093/joccuh/uiae050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) are the foundation of occupational health and safety activities within an organization. An important element of these systems is audits. However, OHSMS auditors often lack confidence in conducting occupational health audits compared with their proficiency in conducting occupational safety audits. For occupational health to be effectively managed by OHSMS, the sampling competence of auditors engaged in third-party audits should be improved. Therefore, we conducted this study to identify appropriate sampling targets for occupational health related to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 45001.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We adopted a mixed methods approach to identify appropriate sampling targets. This involved conducting focus group discussions with experts in occupational health and performing systematic text condensation analysis. The validity of our findings was further reinforced through confirmation by external auditors who specialize in ISO 45001.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the qualitative phase, 6 occupational health sampling targets were identified, and of these, 5 were subsequently validated in the quantitative phase: (1) Health issues, legal requirements, and occupational health goals identified by the organization; (2) Occupational health risk assessment and control processes; (3) Processes related to occupational health and documented information showing the results of efforts; (4) Organizational roles and functions of occupational health professionals and opportunities for their professional development; and (5) Processes to ensure commitment to occupational health issues and objectives.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To ensure effective and comprehensive occupational health audits, auditors should review these targets. This study will enhance the competence of auditors by identifying appropriate occupational health sampling targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":16632,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11451271/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142080670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}