Assessing Relationships between Physically Demanding Work and Late-Life Disability in Italian Nonagenarian Women Living in a Rural Area.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Lombardi G
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9319548 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The need to retain individuals longer in the workforce is acknowledged in many high-income countries. The present study therefore aimed to examine the importance of physically demanding work tasks (PDWT) and physically hazardous work environment (PHWE) in relation to retirement timing among pensionable workers (≥61 years). A particular question was whether PDWT and PHWE increased in importance with age. Six waves (2008-2018) of the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) were used (n = 5201; 56% women and 44% men; mean age at first survey was 61.0 (SD 2.0) years). Discrete time-event history analysis, stratified by socioeconomic position and gender, showed that among blue-collar workers, PDWT and PHWE were associated with an increased likelihood of retiring within the next two years. With increasing age, high-level PHWE was associated with higher probability of retiring among blue-collar men, whereas heavy PDWT was associated with lower probability of retiring among blue-collar women. Among white-collar workers, having at least some PDWT compared to no PDWT was associated with a lower likelihood of retiring within the next two years. With increasing age, exposure to PHWE was associated with higher probability of retiring among white-collar women. These results suggest that to delay retirements, organizations could offer their older employees, especially blue-collar workers and the oldest white-collar women, alternatives to PDWT and PHWE.
| S-EPMC9265406 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is strongly associated with socioeconomic position (SEP). Few studies have investigated if demanding occupational physical activity (OPA) could impede a physically active lifestyle in low SEP groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between OPA and LTPA among low SEP men and women. We used cross-sectional data from 895 low SEP workers who wore accelerometers for 1⁻5 consecutive workdays. The associations between the relative importance of activities performed during work and leisure time were assessed using compositional regression models stratified on sex. Compositional isotemporal substitution models were used to assess the implication of increasing occupational walking, standing, or sitting on LTPA. We found dissimilarity in LTPA between the sexes, with men spending more waking leisure time sedentary than women (men ~67%, women ~61%), suggesting women performed more household tasks. In men, the associations between OPA and LTPA were weak. In women, the strongest association was observed between the relative importance of occupational walking and leisure time standing (β = -0.16; p = 0.01), where reallocating 15 min work time to occupational walking showed an expected decrease in leisure time standing of 7 min. If this time was spent on additional sedentary leisure time, it could have adverse health consequences.
| S-EPMC6068990 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPoor psychosocial work conditions are known to foster negative health consequences. While the existing literature on this topic focus mainly on white-collar workers, the influence of different aspects of the psychosocial work environment in physically demanding jobs remain understudied. Likewise, senior workers represent a population of the workforce at increased risk of adverse health outcomes and premature exit from the labour market. This study investigates the association between psychosocial work factors and perceived stress among the senior work force.MethodsUtilizing cross-sectional findings, this study reports associations between psychosocial factors (organizational justice, cooperation and collegial support, decision latitude, clarity of tasks, and quality of leadership) and the outcome of perceived stress quantified by Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS). Currently employed senior workers with physically demanding jobs were included in the analyses (n = 3386). Associations were modeled using general linear models with weights to make the estimates representative.ResultsFor all individually adjusted psychosocial variables, the category of "good" was consistently associated with lower stress scores compared to the categories of both "moderate" and "poor" (all p < 0.0001). Likewise, in the mutually adjusted analysis, the category of "good" was statistically different from "poor" for all included variables, while the category of "moderate" remained different from "poor" for "clarity of tasks", "cooperation and collegial support", and "decision latitude".ConclusionsAmong senior workers with physically demanding jobs, poor ratings of organizational factors related to the psychosocial work environment are consistently associated with high stress scores. Blue-collar occupations focusing primarily on physical risk factors are recommended to increase awareness on psychosocial aspects that may be relevant to the local work environment.
| S-EPMC8305267 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWorkers with physically demanding work may be at risk for injury, illness or other adverse health outcomes due to exposure to different occupational hazards, especially at higher age. Sensor technology applications may be useful in the workplace to unobtrusively measure and monitor work exposures and provide workers with real-time feedback or access to data on demand. Many aspects might impede the implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace, which should be taken into consideration for a successful implementation. Moreover, needs and preferences of workers regarding the use of sensor technology applications during work performance need to be identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify worker needs and preferences regarding the use of sensor technology applications in the workplace.MethodsFour on-site focus group sessions were conducted in four different companies among workers with physically demanding work (n = 30). Semi-structured interview schedules were used to identify which work exposures should be measured, by which kind of sensor technology applications, under which (pre)conditions, how to motivate long-term use of sensor technology applications, and which type of feedback is preferred. For data analysis, a content-analysis with an inductive approach was performed.ResultsParticipants mentioned that they want to use wearable sensor technology applications to measure and monitor physical job demands, occupational heat stress, noise and fatigue. Factors associated with quality, comfort and perceived ease of use were identified as potential barriers for implementation in the workplace. Long-term motivation was attributed to the ability to manage and monitor work exposures, positive feedback and data ownership. Participants indicated a need to both receive real-time feedback and access to data on demand.ConclusionsSensor technology applications may support workers with physically demanding work to measure and monitor their work exposures. Potential barriers for implementation such as privacy aspects and quality, comfort and perceived ease of use of sensor technology applications need to be well considered to ensure successful implementation of sensor technology applications in the workplace.
| S-EPMC6693286 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aimed at preventing heat strain, health problems, and absenteeism among workers with physically demanding occupations, a continuous, accurate, non-invasive measuring system may help such workers monitor their body (core) temperature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and explore the usability of the wearable non-invasive Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer. Ear canal temperature was monitored in 49 workers in real-life working conditions. After individual correction, the results of the laboratory and field study revealed high correlations compared to ear canal infrared thermometry for hospital use. After performance of the real-life working tasks, this correlation was found to be moderate. It was also observed that the ambient environmental outdoor conditions and personal protective clothing influenced the accuracy and resulted in unrealistic ear canal temperature outliers. It was found that the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer did not result in significant interference during work. Therefore, it was concluded that, without a correction factor, the Cosinuss° °Temp thermometer is inaccurate. Nevertheless, with a correction factor, the reliability of this wearable ear canal thermometer was confirmed at rest, but not in outdoor working conditions or while wearing a helmet or hearing protection equipment.
| S-EPMC8125248 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although employment can provide older people with both financial and nonfinancial rewards, it is questionable whether those benefits extend to all older workers, particularly those with physically demanding jobs. This study aimed to examine whether the perceived level of physical demands placed on older workers 55 or older is significantly associated with their cognitive function. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) 2010 wave, we analyzed two domains of cognition: verbal episodic memory and reasoning. After controlling for demographics and risk factors for age-related cognitive deterioration, the perceived level of physical demands placed on older workers was still significantly and negatively linked with both memory and reasoning domains of cognition. Older workers with more physically demanding jobs tended to have poorer cognitive function. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this relationship.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12126-020-09404-8.
| S-EPMC7791149 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMost studies regarding late-onset sepsis (LOS) address selected populations (i.e., neonates with low birth weight or extremely preterm neonates). Studying all age groups is more suitable to assess the burden of single pathogens and their clinical relevance.MethodsThis is a retrospective regional study involving paediatric departments and NICUs in Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Regional laboratory databases were searched from 2009 to 2012. Records of infants (aged 4 to 90 days) with a positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture were retrospectively reviewed and analysed according to acquisition mode (whether hospital- or community-acquired).ResultsDuring the study period, there were 146,682 live births (LBs), with 296 patients experiencing 331 episodes of LOS (incidence rate: 2.3/1000 LBs). Brain lesions upon discharge from the hospital were found in 12.3% (40/296) of cases, with death occurring in 7.1% (23/296; 0.14/1000 LBs). With respect to full-term neonates, extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight neonates had very high risk of LOS and related mortality (> 100- and > 800-fold higher respectively). Hospital-acquired LOS (n = 209) was significantly associated with very low birth weight, extremely preterm birth, pneumonia, mechanical ventilation, and death (p< 0.01). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, catecholamine support (OR = 3.2), central venous line before LOS (OR = 14.9), and meningitis (OR = 44.7) were associated with brain lesions or death in hospital-acquired LOS (area under the ROC curve 0.81, H-L p = 0.41). Commonly identified pathogens included coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS n = 71, 21.4%), Escherichia coli (n = 50, 15.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 41, 12.4%) and Enterobacteriaceae (n = 41, 12.4%). Group B streptococcus was the predominant cause of meningitis (16 of 38 cases, 42%). Most pathogens were sensitive to first line antibiotics.ConclusionsThis study provides the first Italian data regarding late-onset sepsis (LOS) in all gestational age groups. Compared to full-term neonates, very high rates of LOS and mortality occurred in neonates with a lower birth weight and gestational age. Group B streptococcus was the leading cause of meningitis. Excluding CoNS, the predominant pathogens were Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Neonates with hospital-acquired LOS had a worse outcome. Antibiotic associations, recommended for empirical treatment of hospital- or community-acquired LOS, were adequate.
| S-EPMC6874360 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Adults with disability have significantly lower rates of labor force participation relative to persons without disability, although it is unclear whether this disparity extends to subjective workplace experiences. Using data from the 2004 to 2006 wave of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (n =2,030), we evaluate: (1) whether U.S. workers with physical disability report higher levels of perceived job discrimination and unequal workplace opportunities and lower levels of supervisor and coworker support and (2) whether these patterns differ by sex, age, and occupation group. We find that workers with physical disability fare significantly worse on all four outcomes net of covariates. Disability takes a particularly large toll on men's perceived workplace opportunities and white-collar employees' relationships with coworkers. Young adult workers (ages 30-39) with disability report significantly more support from their supervisor relative to their counterparts without disability. We discuss implications for research and policy.
| S-EPMC8633032 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Persons with and without aphasia experience decreased participation in meaningful activities post-stroke that result in reduced autonomy and poorer quality of life. Physical, cognitive, and/or communication deficits are prevalent post-stroke and many activities given up are purported to require high levels of communicative, cognitive, or physical skill. However, the relationship between deficits after stroke and participation in life activities that appear to require high skill levels in these three areas has not been investigated fully. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine differences in reported participation in communicatively-, cognitively-, or physically-demanding activities in persons after stroke with and without aphasia living in the community, and to (2) investigate whether performance on commonly used self-perception assessments of these three areas predicts reported participation in activities requiring higher levels of skill in these domains. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 82 individuals at least 6 months post-stroke with (N = 34) and without aphasia (N = 48) were administered a battery of neuropsychological and participation-based assessments. Supported communication techniques maximized inclusion of individuals with aphasia. A series of regression analyses investigated the relationship between self-perceived communicative, cognitive, and physical functioning and reported participation in activities post-stroke that required high amounts of skilled function in these areas. Results: People with and without aphasia did not differ in terms of the percentage retained in communicatively-, cognitively-, or physically-demanding activities. All individuals retained higher levels of participation in communicatively- and cognitively-demanding activities (at least 60% retained), compared to participation inphysically-demanding activities (about 50% retained). The strongest predictor for retaining participation in two of the three domains of activities was self-perception of physical function, though much of the variance remained unexplained. Self-perception of communication was not related to participation retention in any of the three domains. Significance of Impact: Rehabilitation professionals should be aware of the impact that a variety of communicative, cognitive, and physical factors may have on participation post-stroke. Self-perceptions of impairments in communication and cognition may not directly predict participation in activities requiring high levels of communicative and/or cognitive skill, at least for those with mild impairment, even though activities requiring those skills are given up or done less after stroke.
| S-EPMC7296112 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background Despite numerous efforts to improve the quality of maternal and child health medical services, over 20 million babies are born with low birth weights each year globally. However, factors related to low birth weight like physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and food insecurity have not been explored well in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of low birth weight and associated factors among neonates born in public Hospitals in North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from June 15 –to July 15, 2021, in North Shewa public hospitals. A total of 441 mothers and newborn pairs were selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with chart reviewing. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi Data version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 respectively. Binary logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with low birth weight. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered to declare the statistically significant association. Results The prevalence of low-birth-weight was 17.7% (95% CI: 14.3, 21.5). Pregnancy-related complication [AOR = 2.16; 95% CI:(1.12,4.18)], grand-multiparty [AOR = 2.57; 95% CI:(1.12,5.88)], physically demanding work during pregnancy [AOR = 2.19; 95% CI:(1.11,4.33)], midd-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm [AOR = 2.54; 95% CI:(1.26,5.10)], partner violence during pregnancy [AOR = 3.77; 95% CI:(1.81,7.88)], and being member of household with food insecure [AOR = 2.31; 95% CI:(1.12,4.75)] were factors significantly associated with low birth weight. Conclusions This study showed that the magnitude of low birth weight was relatively high. Women with pregnancy-related complications, grand multiparty, physically demanding work during pregnancy, intimate partner violence, mid-upper arm circumference less than 23 cm, and food insecurity should be prioritized for mitigating LBW. Health care professionals should focus on Screening pregnant women for intimate partner violence, physically demanding activities, undernutrition and providing appropriate treatment during all maternal continuum of care might be helpful. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-022-03480-2.
| S-EPMC9281010 | biostudies-literature