Christos I Ioannou, Franziska L Hodde-Chriske, Marios N Avraamides, Eckart Altenmüller
{"title":"The impact of fine motor activities like playing musical instruments on the thickness and strength of the flexor digitorum muscle.","authors":"Christos I Ioannou, Franziska L Hodde-Chriske, Marios N Avraamides, Eckart Altenmüller","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00430-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00430-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to explore the impact of occupational activities involving extensive finger movement on the muscular characteristics of the forearms. In particular, the flexor digitorum (FD) muscular thickness and strength asymmetry between right and left hand were compared between musicians and non-musicians.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ultrasonography was employed to measure the thickness of the FD in each hand, while a validated custom-made device was used to assess the strength of the flexor and extensor digitorum (ED). Initially, muscle differences were estimated by computing the asymmetry index between dominant and non-dominant hands. To assess potential occupational disparities, comparisons of the asymmetry index were conducted between 25 right-handed instrumental musicians and 25 right-handed non-musicians.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Musicians exhibited lower asymmetry between dominant and non-dominant hands in both FD thickness and ED strength when compared to non-musicians. This effect was particularly pronounced in musicians playing instruments that extensively use the left-hand fingers (e.g., violinists).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Occupational activities, such as playing a musical instrument, can alter forearm muscle mass and strength distribution between dominant and non-dominant hands. This underscores the importance of considering occupational parameters in clinical or experimental interventions and musculoskeletal assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11323442/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141983663","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":"Vocational rehabilitative decisions after symptoms and findings consistent with hand-arm vibration syndrome in the Swedish surveillance system - a mixed-method design.","authors":"Frida Thorsén, Catarina Nordander, Carl Antonson","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00432-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00432-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>EU workers exposed to hand-arm vibration should be offered health surveillance to detect early symptoms, and findings, of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). To execute the mandatory vocational rehabilitation, the employer needs to be aware of injuries found in the medical check-up. We aimed to analyse: 1) How physicians graded the neurosensory component of HAVS on the Stockholm Workshop Scale (SWS), compared to semi-objective findings. 2) What vocational rehabilitative decisions (VRD) were taken by physicians after examinations. 3) Whether the VRDs differed in relation to the SWS-grading.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data came from 660 medical records - all examinations performed during twelve consecutive months in one large Swedish occupational healthcare company. 572 individuals had data on the SWS from the physician. For the qualitative analysis, we used the inductive-iterative immersion-crystallization method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>60% of the examined workers had symptoms and 32% had semi-objective findings consistent with HAVS. The physicians' SWS gradings were underestimated in 59% of the cases with semi-objective findings. The VRDs were classified, relative to communication with the employer, as: \"Adequate\" (57%), when no injury was present, communication had already taken place, was planned, or was no longer needed in the absence of further exposure, \"Semi-adequate\" (18%), if no plan for communication was yet established or only communicated through a document with a shorter time until next check-up, and \"Inadequate\"(25%), when patients refused (20%), or physicians failed to communicate with the employer, despite findings (80%). Underestimated SWS-gradings of HAVS were significantly associated with more \"Inadequate\" VRDs in the group with semi-objective findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Occupational physicians underestimate the number of individuals with SWS 2-3 compared with semi-objective findings and regularly fail to communicate to the employer despite findings of HAVS. The underestimation of SWS-grading, followed by inadequate VRDs, excludes many workers from the employer's mandatory protective measures which may lead to aggravation of an untreatable injury in the affected individual and development of HAVS in their similarly exposed colleagues.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"33"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11320865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141972161","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}
Tiana Barnekow, Claudia Peters, Madeleine Dulon, Albert Nienhaus
{"title":"Impact of pre-existing conditions on the severity of post-COVID syndrome among workers in healthcare and social services in Germany","authors":"Tiana Barnekow, Claudia Peters, Madeleine Dulon, Albert Nienhaus","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00431-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-024-00431-8","url":null,"abstract":"The underlying mechanisms of post-COVID syndrome (PCS) are still not fully understood. While pre-existing conditions have been described as a risk factor for severe PCS in the general population, data specific to different occupational groups in this context is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the impact of pre-existing conditions on severe post-COVID syndrome among the occupational group of healthcare and social services employees. Baseline data from a longitudinal, observational study were analysed. In February 2021, health workers who had a COVID-19 infection in 2020 were surveyed about sequelae of the infection. Factors influencing severe PCS with at least one persistent symptom categorised as severe were subjected to a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of a total of 2,053 participants, 21.5% had severe PCS. Underlying respiratory (OR 1.94; CI 1.44–2.61), cardiovascular (OR 1.35; CI 1.04–1.77) and urogenital (OR 1.79; CI 1.10–2.91) disease were risk factors for severe PCS overall. Respiratory and mental illnesses had a statistically significant impact on persistent fatigue/exhaustion, concentration/memory difficulties and shortness of breath categorised as severe. Urogenital disease was associated with severe fatigue/exhaustion. Other significant risk factors for severe PCS were female sex, smoking, physical exercise and hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection. Workers in healthcare and social services with pre-existing conditions may face a higher risk of developing severe PCS. Additional analyses performed as part of the longitudinal study will show if and how this result changes over time.","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141872587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring work ability, psychosocial job demands and resources of employees in low-skilled jobs: a German cross-sectional study.","authors":"Arthur Kaboth, Lena Hünefeld, Marcel Lück","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00429-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00429-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Extending working lives due to labour market and pension regulations makes maintaining and promoting work ability necessary. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that employees in low-skilled jobs (no qualification required) contribute significantly to society and the economy. Research on these employees has been neglected in Germany for many decades despite demanding working conditions. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between low-skilled jobs and work ability. Moreover, we explore this relationship's variation by psychosocial work demands and resources.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We use two waves of the German Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA). We calculate Ordinary-Least-Squares (OLS) regression models with pooled data (n = 6,050) to analyse the relationship between job requirement level and work ability. We also explore the contribution of job demands and resources on this relationship with interaction models. We use the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), to assess psychosocial work demands and resources.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Employees performing low-skilled jobs report significantly less work ability than those in medium- or high-skilled jobs. Interaction models show significantly greater work ability for employees in medium- and high-skilled jobs with high influence on their work (amount or tasks). Unexpectedly, employees in low-skilled jobs have lower work ability with more influence on their work. Furthermore, high role clarity, describing responsibility, authority and work goals, is associated with lower levels of work ability among employees in low-skilled jobs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The moderating effect of role clarity on the work ability of employees in low-skilled jobs can possibly be attributed to skills mismatch and limited responsibility, as well as a lack of self-perceived collective purpose of the job. The moderation of the influence on work dimension supports results of previous studies. Too much job autonomy can have negative effects under certain circumstances and is therefore perceived as a job demand in some studies. Consequently, mechanisms concerning psychosocial work demands and resources must be investigated in further studies with different theoretical approaches. The imbalance of job demands and resources shows that employers should invest in preserving the work ability to prevent early exit from the labour market in an aging society.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11285431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141793844","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}
Tobias Engeroff, Niclas Hartel, Daniel Niederer, Albert Nienhaus, David A Groneberg, Lutz Vogt
{"title":"FFP2 induced breathing resistance does not affect metabolism and well-being during brisk walking and stair climbing - a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Tobias Engeroff, Niclas Hartel, Daniel Niederer, Albert Nienhaus, David A Groneberg, Lutz Vogt","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00428-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00428-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>N95 or Type II filtering face pieces (FFP2) are often worn during work hours or on public transportation to prevent airborne infection. The aim of this randomized controlled crossover study is to assess the impact of FFP2 induced breathing resistance on pulmonary function, blood gas values and discomfort during walking and stair climbing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>N = 16 healthy adults (24.8 ± 2.2 years; 10 females, ) participated. Interventions included (1) six minutes of walking in a 16-meter-long hallway (612 m) and (2) eight minutes of stair climbing in a two-story staircase (420 stairs), both with and without a FFP2 (> 48 h wash-out). Spiroergometric data (Ventilation, breathing frequency, tidal volume, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide exhalation (primary outcome), end tidal carbon dioxide- and oxygen pressure) and self-reported response (Perceived exertion, dyspnoea and pain) were assessed during activities. Blood gas analysis (capillary carbon dioxide- (pCO<sub>2</sub>) (primary outcome) and oxygen partial pressure (pO<sub>2</sub>), pH, lactate and base excess) was measured immediately after cessation of activities. Manipulation effects (FFP2 versus no mask) were tested using repeated measures analyses of variance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis showed no effect of FFP2 on pCO<sub>2</sub> or other blood-gas parameters but on carbon dioxide exhalation during walking: (mean 1067, SD 209 ml/min) (mean 1908, SD 426 ml/min) (F(15) = 19.5; p < 0.001; η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup> = 0.566) compared to no mask wearing (mean 1237, SD 173 ml/min; mean 1908, SD 426 ml/min). Ventilation was decreased and dyspnoea was increased by FFP2 during activities. FFP2 led to lower oxygen uptake and lower end tidal oxygen but higher end tidal carbon dioxide during stair climbing.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>FFP2 decreased ventilation based on slower breathing patterns and led to limitations in pulmonary gas exchange and increased subjective dyspnoea. However, invasive diagnostics revealed no signs of clinically relevant metabolic effects immediately after everyday physical activities.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"31"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11285407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141793845","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":"Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis among the butchers of Tabriz city, the northwest of Iran: a case control study","authors":"Zahra Amiri, Shahram Khademvatan, Tohid Kazemi, Elham Yousefi","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00427-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-024-00427-4","url":null,"abstract":"Occupation plays an important role in the spread of infectious diseases in humans. Toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis are world-wide diseases with different routes of transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis and risk factors associated with these diseases among the butchers of Tabriz City, the northwest of Iran. In this case-control study conducted in Tabriz city in 2023, 250 serum samples were collected from butchers (n = 125) and outpatients referred to Imam Reza Hospital (n = 125) and. The ELISA test was used to identify IgG and IgM antibodies against toxoplasmosis and IgG antibodies against hydatidosis. The results were analyzed by statistics tests using SPSS v. 16 software. Risk factors’ association was tested using Chi square or logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that 66/125 (52.8%) cases and 40/125 controls (32%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgG antibody. Also, 5/125 (4%) and 1/125 (0.8%) were positive for toxoplasmosis IgM antibody in the case and control groups, respectively. In addition, 10/125 people (8%) were positive for anti-hydatidosis IgG antibody in the case group, while no positive cases were found in the control group. The main risk factors for toxoplasmosis were age (OR: 1.014), education level (OR: 0.638), and work experience(OR: 1.695), these factors for hydatidosis included age and education level (OR: 1.765 and 0.271) respectivily. Our results suggest the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis and in butchers of Tabriz, which required special attention and basic measures. Moreover, the prevalence of hydatidosis IgG antibodies also requires more attention to be focused on breaking the transmission and reducing the infection.","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141737377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leonie Jaß, André Klußmann, Volker Harth, Stefanie Mache
{"title":"Job demands and resources perceived by hybrid working employees in German public administration: a qualitative study.","authors":"Leonie Jaß, André Klußmann, Volker Harth, Stefanie Mache","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00426-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00426-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hybrid working arrangements that combine remote and office work are on the rise. Although hybrid work has been associated with mental health benefits in employees, challenges in the transformation to hybrid persist particularly in public administration organizations which have been connected to a pronounced culture of presence and inadequate technical infrastructure. Further evidence on the link between hybrid working conditions and employee health is needed. To support the establishment of healthy hybrid working conditions, this study aims to identify employees' job demands, resources and support needs in public administration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with N = 13 employees who work hybrid in public administration organizations in Northern Germany between February and May 2023. Interviewees were asked about their perceived job demands, resources, and support needs in hybrid work. The data was analyzed in a deductive-inductive approach of qualitative content analysis, primarily supported by the job demands-resources model as a theoretical framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Several job demands, e.g., an increase in work and meetings, and resources such as personal freedom and responsibility, were identified in the context of hybrid work. A multitude of the reported job resources and demands relate to work organization and social relationships. The results disclose discrepancies between participants' experiences of job demands and resources, underlining the subjectivity of employees' perceptions of hybrid working conditions. Interviewees' support needs for hybrid work also varied, encompassing structural-level aspects such as increased acceptance and promotion of hybrid work in the organization as well as behavioral-level aspects, for instance, strategies and self-discipline for boundaries and structure.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study provides a first comprehensive overview of the job demands, resources and support needs in hybrid work in public administration. This study builds an important basis for further research to understand the impact of hybrid working conditions on health-related employee outcomes. The identified support needs provide a valuable point of reference for health-promoting hybrid working conditions which public administration employers should begin establishing as early as possible in the ongoing transition to hybrid work.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11264583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141727965","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":"A follow-up study of vibration-induced injuries in workers exposed to transient and high frequency vibrations.","authors":"Lars Gerhardsson","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00425-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00425-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In a previous study from 2018, 38 wheel loader assembly workers were examined, showing high exposures to transient and high-frequency vibrations. After the investigation, preventive measures were immediately implemented to reduce the vibration exposure. In 2022, a follow-up study was carried out to examine the effect of these measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The follow-up study included 35 (27 men and 8 women) of the original 38 workers. They were divided into two groups, 24 workers with ongoing vibration exposure and 11 workers, not vibration exposed since 2018. All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent a thorough examination, including several neurophysiological tests and a comprehensive assessment of musculoskeletal symptoms. The questionnaire responses and on-site vibration level measurements formed the basis for the individual vibration exposure assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2018, clear differences were noted between the two groups regarding vibration perception thresholds (VPT), needle test, 2-PD (2-point discrimination), and monofilament test with deviating results in the unexposed group. The difference between the two groups was significantly smaller at the follow-up examination in 2022, where differences remained for VPT and monofilament tests, with deviating test results in the unexposed group. When comparing variable values between 2018 and 2022 within the exposed and unexposed groups, respectively, the unexposed group showed mostly unchanged values, while a deterioration was observed for VPT, needle test and temperature sensitivity test among the exposed workers during follow-up. The prevalence of VWF (Vibration white fingers) was around 30-40% and neuropathy around 75% among exposed workers during follow-up compared to about 60% and 85% respectively, in the unexposed group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The overall categorization of white fingers and neuropathy, according to the Stockholm Workshop Scale, remained largely unchanged in both study groups from 2018 to 2022. The introduction of cost-effective and relatively simple preventive measures may have contributed to this result. Throughout the follow-up period, the number of exposed workers who developed musculoskeletal disorders and newly reported cases of vibration injuries at the factory decreased. Without this preventive program, increased vascular and nerve symptoms would most likely have occurred during follow-up due to continued vibration exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11191195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141437626","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":"Assessment of occupational exposure to lead among workers engaged in a city bus garage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.","authors":"Merihatsidik Tesema Abebe, Abera Kumie, Samson Wakuma Ayana, Teshome Assefa, Wossenyeleh Ambaw","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00422-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00422-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lead is one of the most nonessential toxic heavy metal agents found in automotive garages. The occupational exposure of garage workers to lead commonly poses acute and chronic health risks that can be prevented. In Ethiopia, there have been limited studies on lead exposure among garage workers, who overemphasize exposure to lead. This study aimed to assess occupational blood lead levels and associated factors in garage workers using a cross-sectional comparative design.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comparative cross-sectional study design was used to compare the occupational blood lead levels of 36 randomly selected garage workers and 34 office workers who were matched by age and sex. Blood specimens were collected by trained medical laboratory experts. The collected blood samples were tested in a certified laboratory using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) device at a wavelength of 405.78 nm. Excel and SPSS Version 26 were used for data management and analysis, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean (SD) age of the exposed group was 39.0 (7.5) years, whereas the mean age of the unexposed group was 38.0 (6.1) years. The occupational mean (SD) blood-lead-level in the exposed groups was 29.7 (12.2) µg/dl, compared to 14.8 (9.9) µg/dl among the unexposed groups. The mean blood-lead level among the exposed workers was significantly different from that among the unexposed workers (P < 0.01). Of all the study participants, only 22.2% of the exposed groups had blood lead levels higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 40 µg/dl. The main significant predictors of occupational blood-lead-level exposure among workers were extra working hours, service years, and having a previous (prior) employment history in a garage. The occupations of the two groups did not significantly differ in terms of blood-lead levels (p > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The BLL of the Garage workers was significantly greater than that of the Non-Garage workers. Hence, it is advised that garage management should encourage workers to use exposure prevention methods, such as washing their hands before eating and taking showers after the completion of work, by providing regular occupational safety training.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11188258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141433151","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}
Nancy Carnide, Bethany R Chrystoja, Hyunmi Lee, Andrea D Furlan, Peter M Smith
{"title":"Cannabis use motives and associations with personal and work characteristics among Canadian workers: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Nancy Carnide, Bethany R Chrystoja, Hyunmi Lee, Andrea D Furlan, Peter M Smith","doi":"10.1186/s12995-024-00424-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12995-024-00424-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Research on cannabis use motives has focused on youth. Little is known about motives among working adults, including how work may play a role. This study aimed to describe cannabis use motives and their connection to work, and identify the personal and work correlates of work-related motives among a sample of workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A national, cross-sectional sample of Canadian workers were queried about their cannabis use. Workers reporting past-year cannabis use (n = 589) were asked their motives for using cannabis and whether each motive was related to work or helped them manage at work (i.e., work-related). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations of personal and work characteristics with work-related cannabis use motives (no work-related motives, < 50% of motives work-related, ≥ 50% of motives work-related).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Use for relaxation (59.3%), enjoyment (47.2%), social reasons (35.3%), coping (35.1%), medical reasons (30.9%), and sleep (29.9%) were the most common motives. Almost 40% of respondents reported one or more of their cannabis use motives were work-related, with coping (19.9%) and relaxation (16.3%) most commonly reported as work-related. Younger age, poorer general health, greater job stress, having a supervisory role, and hazardous work were associated with increased odds of reporting at least some cannabis use motives to be work-related, while work schedule and greater frequency of alcohol use were associated with reduced odds of motives being primarily work-related.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cannabis use motives among workers are diverse and frequently associated with work. Greater attention to the role of work in motivating cannabis use is warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":48903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology","volume":"19 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11177395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141318593","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}