Occupational risks associated with chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt) in Brazil: it is time to dig deeper into a neglected problem / Riscos ocupacionais associados à doença renal crônica de origem não tradicional (DRCnt) no Brasil: é hora de nos aprofundarmos em um problema negligenciado

Abstract In the past decades, an epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with environmental and occupational factors (heat stress from high workloads in hot temperatures and exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and metals), which has been termed CKD of non-traditional origin (CKDnt). This descriptive review aims to present recent evidence about heat stress, pesticides, and metals as possible causes of CKDnt and provide an overview of the related Brazilian regulation, enforcement, and health surveillance strategies. Brazilian workers are commonly exposed to extreme heat conditions and other CKDnt risk factors, including increasing exposure to pesticides and metals. Furthermore, there is a lack of adequate regulation (and enforcement), public policies, and strategies to protect the kidney health of workers, considering the main risk factors. CKDnt is likely to be a significant cause of CKD in Brazil, since CKD's etiology is unknown in many patients and several conditions for its development are present in the country. Further epidemiological studies may be conducted to explore causal associations and estimate the impact of heat, pesticides, and metals on CKDnt in Brazil. Moreover, public policies should prioritize reducing workers´ exposure and promoting their health and safety.

Resumo Nas últimas décadas, uma epidemia de doença renal crônica (DRC) tem sido associada a fatores ambientais e ocupacionais (estresse térmico decorrente de cargas de trabalho elevadas em altas temperaturas e exposição a produtos químicos, como agrotóxicos e metais), denominada DRC de origem não tradicional (DRCnt). Esta revisão descritiva tem como objetivo apresentar evidências recentes sobre estresse térmico, agrotóxicos e metais como possíveis causas de DRCnt e fornecer uma visão geral das estratégias brasileiras de regulamentação, fiscalização e vigilância sanitária relacionadas. Os trabalhadores brasileiros são comumente expostos a condições extremas de calor e outros fatores de risco de DRCnt, incluindo o aumento da exposição a agrotóxicos e metais. Além disso, há uma falta de regulamentação e fiscalização, políticas públicas e estratégias adequadas para proteger a saúde renal dos trabalhadores em relação aos principais fatores de risco. É provável que a DRCnt seja uma causa significativa de DRC no Brasil, uma vez que a etiologia da doença é desconhecida em muitos pacientes e diversas condições para seu desenvolvimento estão presentes no país. Estudos epidemiológicos devem ser realizados para explorar associações causais e estimar o impacto do calor, dos agrotóxicos e dos metais na DRCnt no Brasil. Além disso, as políticas públicas devem priorizar a redução da exposição dos trabalhadores e a promoção de sua saúde e segurança.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, fatigue and stress among gas station workers in China: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are disorders of the musculoskeletal system that have the highest prevalence among workers worldwide. Workers in gas stations usually work in poor ergonomic working conditions, including prolonged standing and repetitive posturing. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and fatigue and to identify the predictors of WMSDs among gas station workers. DESIGN: The present study was a cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 2962 gas station workers from an oil and gas company in China, with ages ranging from 17 to 75 years old, 55.47% female. RESULTS: The prevalence of WMSDs within the 12 months prior to the study was 73.23%, with the highest prevalence in the neck, shoulders, ankles and feet. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between fatigue, stress and WMSDs. Fatigue and job role were the strongest predictors of WMSDs, with an OR range of 2.211-3.413. CONCLUSIONS: This research identified the detrimental impact of WMSDs and fatigue on gas station workers, indicating the critical need for interventions to reduce WMSDs and relieve fatigue.

Effect of occupational stress and resilience on insomnia among nurses during COVID-19 in China: a structural equation modelling analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of occupational stress and resilience on insomnia among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN, SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A quantitative description study. The data were collected via a cross-sectional survey. A total of 725 front-line nurses at three tertiary hospitals in western China were included from December 2022 to January 2023. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Job Content Questionnaire, and Athens Insomnia Scale were used to collect data from a self-reported online questionnaire. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome variable was insomnia, and structural equation modelling was used to assess the associations among resilience, occupational stress and insomnia. RESULTS: The prevalence of insomnia among the participants was 58.76%. The structural equation model showed that resilience had a negative direct effect on insomnia and occupational stress, and occupational stress had a positive direct effect on insomnia. Involvement in COVID-19-related work has a positive effect on insomnia through occupational stress. In contrast, higher education levels improved insomnia through increased resilience. CONCLUSION: A significantly higher prevalence of insomnia has been observed among Chinese nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study suggests that better resilience may improve insomnia by relieving occupational stress, and implementing measures to promote resilience is essential to reduce occupational stress in nurses and improve their sleep quality.

Zinc fever in a painter and varnisher: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Zinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.

Correlations between the screen time of children with special needs and their parent-child relationships, home participation, and occupational performance.

This study aimed to examine the relationships between the screen time of children with special needs and of their parents with their home participation, occupational performance, and parent-child relationships according to sex and diagnosis. Parents of 150 children with special needs (age range, 4 to 6 years) such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as undiagnosed and developmentally risky children, were included. The Demographic Information Form, Screen Time Usage Form, Parent-Child Relationship Scale, Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth, and Short Child Occupational Profile were used for the data collection. There was a significant relationship between the screen time of girls and their parent-child relationships, home participation, and occupational performance. Moreover, we detected a relationship between the screen time of children with autism spectrum disorder and positive parent-child relationships, home participation, and occupational performance. Therapists should account for screen time in their interventions associated with parent-child relationships, home participation, and occupational performance.

Neurotrauma from fall accidents in Ethiopia.

Background: Ethiopia is a fast-growing economy with rapid urbanization and poor occupational safety measures. Fall injuries are common and frequently result in traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: We prospectively included fall victims who were hospital-treated for neurotrauma or forensically examined in 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We registered sociodemographic factors, fall types, injuries, treatment, and outcome. Results: We included 117 treated and 51 deceased patients (median age 27 vs. 40 years). Most patients were injured at construction sites (39.9%) and only one in three used protective equipment. TBI (64.7%) and SCI (27.5%) were the most common causes of death among the deceased patients, of which most died at the accident site (90.2%). Many patients suffered significant prehospital time delays (median 24 h). Among treated patients, SCI was more frequent than TBI (50.4% vs. 39.3%), and 10.3% of the patients had both SCI and TBI. Most SCIs were complete (49.3%), whereas most TBIs were mild (55.2%). Less than half of TBI patients and less than one in five SCI patients were operated. There were twice as many deaths among TBI patients as SCI patients. Among those discharged alive, at a median of 33 weeks, 50% of TBI patients had a good recovery whereas 35.5% of SCI patients had complete injuries. Conclusion: Falls at construction sites with inadequate safety measures were common causes of SCI and TBI resulting in severe disability and death. These results support further development of prevention strategies and neurotrauma care in Ethiopia.

The role and effectiveness of occupational therapy in prison rehabilitation programs: systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to research studies in the literature regarding the role of the occupational therapist within penitentiary facilities. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study design is a systematic review using five different databases. FINDINGS: Findings can therefore ascertain the potential role of occupational therapists in penitentiary institutions because they can contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners both inside and outside prisons with a view to their reintegration into society. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary for clinical practice, and especially to increase the health of people within prisons, to update the occupational therapist interventions in the literature that are effective within prisons. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: According to this study, the intervention of occupational therapists in the prison setting reduces recidivism and contributes to social and work reintegration. This has positive effects in terms of costs related to incarceration. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Findings can therefore ascertain the potential role of occupational therapists in penitentiary institutions because they can contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners both inside and outside prisons with a view to their reintegration into society.

The effectiveness of digital interventions for self-management of chronic pain in employment settings: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain affects over a quarter of the workforce with high economic burden for individuals, employers and healthcare services. Access to work-related advice for people with chronic pain is variable. This systematic review aims to explore the effectiveness of workplace-delivered digital interventions for the self-management of chronic pain. SOURCE OF DATA: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, JBI, Open Science Framework, Epistemonikos and Google Scholar. Articles published between January 2001 and December 2023 were included. Searches were conducted between October 2023 and December 2023. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Workplace-delivered digital interventions to support self-management of chronic pain at work may improve pain and health-related quality of life in vocationally active adults. Delivering interventions outside of clinical services, through the workplace setting, may help to reduce inequity in access to work-related advice for people with chronic pain, and ultimately reduce the burden on individuals, employers and healthcare services. Interventions include mobile apps and web-based programmes. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Studies were moderate-to-low quality. Most studies focused on exercise, few considered other aspects of pain self-management. Given the limited evidence in the current literature, consensus on best intervention format and delivery is lacking. GROWING POINTS: More high-quality studies are needed given the heterogeneity in study design, interventions and outcome measures. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: No interventions included advice on work-related adjustments or support. Few studies included work-related outcomes, despite the known impact of pain on work and work on health.

The role of trust in occupational safety: research results.

This article presents the concept and results of a study on the effects of organizational trust on the safety level in an enterprise. The research results presented provide valid and reliable statistical evidence that employees' trust in management is an important factor that significantly affects safety in a company. In particular, the research findings prove that employees' trust in management affects safety outcomes indirectly (full mediation), due to the improvement in their engagement in safety citizenship behaviour (SCB); but also that better engagement in SCB should directly or indirectly contribute to the reduction of accident event occurrence through improvement in employees' health and safety (H&S) regulation compliance (partial mediation). Moreover, the research findings prove that improvement in perceived management commitment in H&S will additionally strengthen positive relationships between trust in management and SCB engagement (interaction effect).

The effect of health literacy on health investment intention: a cross-sectional study among petrochemical employees in China.

Backgrounds: In the petrochemical industry, employees are exposed to various health hazards, which pose serious challenges to their health and hinder the sustainable development of the petrochemical industry. Investing in health has proved a potential strategy to enhance general health. However, global health investment is notably insufficient, mainly due to the public's limited intention to invest in their health. While past research has identified various determinants of health investment intentions, the relationship between health literacy and health investment intention remains somewhat controversial and needs more empirical validation. Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of health literacy and health investment intention among employees in one of China's largest petrochemical companies and to explore the effect of health literacy on health investment intention. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a petrochemical company. The valid sample size for this study was 39,911 respondents. Data were collected using a designed questionnaire, including socio-demographic information, questions about health investment intention, and the "2020 National Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire." Several statistical analysis methods were employed, including descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and multiple linear regression. Results: The study disclosed an average health literacy score of 56.11 (SD = 10.34) among employees, with 52.1% surpassing the qualification threshold. The "Chronic Disease" dimension exhibited the lowest qualification rate at 33.0%. Furthermore, 71.5% of the employees expressed an intention to invest in health, yet a significant portion (34.5%) opted for the minimal investment choice, less than 2,000 RMB. Logistic regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between health literacy and health investment intention (OR = 1.474; p < 0.001). This association's robustness was further indicated by multiple linear regression analyses (ß = 0.086, p<0.001). Conclusion: The employees' health literacy significantly exceeds the national average for Chinese citizens, yet the qualified rate in the "Chronic Disease" dimension remains notably low. A majority of employees have the intention to invest in health, albeit modestly. Furthermore, while health literacy does positively influence health investment intention, this effect is somewhat limited. Accordingly, personalized Health education should be prioritized, with a focus on improving chronic disease knowledge and facilitating the internalization of health knowledge into health beliefs.

Work ability and return-to-work of patients with post-COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In addition to several sequelae of post-COVID-19, individuals also experience significant limitations in work ability, resulting in negative consequences for the return-to-work (RTW) process. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the impact of post-COVID-19 on work ability and RTW of individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Studies on the work ability and RTW of patients with post-COVID-19 (more than 12 weeks after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection) were regarded eligible for inclusion. Systematic search of literature was performed up to March 2023 using five databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL and WHO COVID 19). Study selection followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) Statement. A meta-analysis estimated the overall success rate of RTW. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: 19 relevant studies, published between 2021 and 2023, were included in the systematic review, involving 21.155 patients from 14 different countries. The findings indicate that a significant proportion of individuals with post-COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms and functional impairments, with fatigue being the most prominent symptom. These persistent symptoms can have a considerable (negative) impact on individuals' physical and psychological capacity to participate in work-related activities, leading to lower work ability and increased absenteeism. The RTW for post-COVID-19 patients is complex, with approximately 60.9% of patients successfully returning to work after 12 or more weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among those who successfully returning to work, a considerable number need modifications in their work duties or hours to cope with residual impairments. Factors such as workplace accommodations, supportive policies, and occupational rehabilitation programs play a crucial role in facilitating successful RTW. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review underscores the substantial impact of post-COVID-19 on work-related outcomes. The implications of this research highlight the need for healthcare providers, employers, and policymakers to collaborate in creating inclusive work environments and implementing tailored rehabilitation programs to support individuals recovering from post-COVID-19. Further research should focus on long-term follow-up studies with mixed methods to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the long-term consequences of post-COVID-19 on work ability and RTW outcomes. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023385436.

Occupational accidents and the use of PPE: a global meta-analysis.

Occupational accidents, despite continuous safety updates, are still a scourge in the occupational and forensic spheres, constituting, among other things, the subject of a large share of litigation. Demographic data can help to understand the areas where the application of health surveillance is lacking. This meta-analysis sets out to analyse data from studies on accidents at work, focusing on the correlation between the areas in which accidents occur and whether or not personal safety equipment is used, in relation to the different regulations in force. For the selection of the data, a systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines, with the primary objective of identifying the trend of occupational accidents in specific geographical areas, which differ in terms of the attention paid to preventive aspects. The data we highlighted showed, regarding the type of accident, substantial differences between low-income countries and industrialised countries (stratified according to the Human Development Index) and, an overall indifference as to whether or not individual safety devices were used, revealing that, despite the continuous normative evolution in the field of safety at work, even today, the investigative data on the actual application of the regulations, during accidents at work, is underestimated and little researched.

Individual Placement and Support and Participatory Workplace Intervention on the Work Participation of People with Disabilities: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS), Participatory Workplace Intervention (PWI), and IPS + PWI on work participation and health of people with work disabilities. METHODS: A randomised controlled 2 × 2 factorial trial with 120 clients and an 18-month follow-up was performed. Differences between IPS and no-IPS and between PWI and no-PWI were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: In the IPS group, restricted mean survival time (RMST) for sustainable paid employment was 352 days, compared to 394 in the no-IPS group (HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.81-2.63). In the PWI group the RMST was 378 days, compared to 367 in the no-PWI group (HR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.48-1.64). For the secondary outcome 'starting any paid employment, a trial placement, or education' RMST was significantly lower for the IPS group (222 days) than for the no-IPS group (335 days; HR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.01-3.42). Mental health was significantly lower (worse) in the PWI group (difference -4.07, 95% CI = -7.93 to -0.22) than in the no-PWI group. For all other secondary outcomes, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant differences were observed in the duration until starting sustainable employment between IPS and no-IPS, and between PWI and no-PWI. The duration until starting any paid employment, a trial placement, or education was shorter in the IPS group than in the no-IPS group, but further research should explore whether this also increases sustainable employment in the longer term.

Linked lives: intergenerational transmission of labour-market pathways between parent dyads and children.

While a vast number of studies confirm the transmission of labour-market disadvantages from one generation to the next, less is known about how parents' interconnected labour-market pathways co-evolve and shape the opportunities and obstacles for their children's future careers. This study uses a multidimensional view of intergenerational transmission by describing the most typical pathways of parents' occupational careers and assesses how these patterns are associated with their children's labour-market outcomes. Drawing on Swedish longitudinal register data, we used multichannel sequence analysis to follow a cohort of people born in 1985 (n = 72,409) and their parents across 26 years. We identified four parental earning models, differentiating between (1) dual earners with high wages, (2) dual earners with low-wage, (3) one-and-a-half-earners and (4) mother as the main breadwinner. Regression analysis shows strong intergenerational transmission among the most advantageous trajectories, with education as a key determinant for young people to become less dependent on family resources. This study stresses the importance of intra-couple perspectives in life course research to understand how inequalities are shaped and preserved across generations.

Sex and race disparities in the association between work characteristics and vitamin D deficiency: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010.

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide; however, few large population-based studies have examined occupational risk factors. We examined associations between shift work, work schedule, hours worked, outdoor work, occupation and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in the US working population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 8601 workers from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles. NHANES occupational data were supplemented with measures of outdoor work from the Occupational Information Network. Serum 25(OH)D concentration in nanomoles per litre (nmol/L) was categorised as sufficient (≥75), insufficient (50-<75), moderately deficient (30-<50) and severely deficient (<30). Age-adjusted weighted multinomial and binary logistic regression were used to examine associations between work-related factors and vitamin D status with sex-race/ethnicity stratification. RESULTS: Shift workers had higher odds of severe vitamin D deficiency compared with day workers (OR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.19). Compared with those in white-collar occupations, those in natural resources were less likely to be deficient (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.52), while those in production were more likely to be deficient (OR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.48 to 3.43). Women working ≥40 hours/week compared with <40 hours/week were more likely to be moderately deficient (OR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.59). Black women working in sales were more likely to be deficient than those in management (OR: 1.53, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.27). Mexican American men working nights had the highest odds of deficiency (OR: 2.64, 95% CI 1.38 to 5.06). CONCLUSIONS: Work-related factors were associated with vitamin D status and there were race/ethnicity and sex differences. Targeted vitamin D screening and supplementation interventions may reduce these disparities.

Exposure to fibres and risk of pleural mesothelioma in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers cohort.

OBJECTIVES: Pleural mesothelioma is a rare respiratory cancer, mainly caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. Other inorganic fibres are also suggested risk factors. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to asbestos or refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs) and pleural mesothelioma among male Norwegian offshore petroleum workers. METHODS: Among 25 347 men in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers (NOPW) cohort (1965-1998), 43 pleural mesothelioma cases were identified through the Cancer Registry of Norway (1999-2022). A case-cohort study was conducted with 2095 randomly drawn non-cases from the cohort. Asbestos and RCF exposures were assessed with expert-made job-exposure matrices (JEMs). Weighted Cox regression was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs, adjusted for age at baseline and pre-offshore employment with likely asbestos exposure. RESULTS: An increased risk of pleural mesothelioma was indicated for the highest versus lowest tertile of average intensity of asbestos (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.57 to 2.54). Pre-offshore asbestos exposure (vs no such exposure) was associated with increased risk of pleural mesothelioma (HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.81). For offshore workers with no pre-offshore asbestos exposure, an increased risk of pleural mesothelioma was found for the highest tertile of average intensity of asbestos (HR=4.13, 95% CI: 0.93 to 18), versus the lowest tertile. No associations were found between RCF and pleural mesothelioma. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between JEM-based offshore asbestos exposure and pleural mesothelioma were confirmed in the NOPW cohort. Pleural mesothelioma risk was also associated with asbestos exposure before work in the offshore petroleum industry.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding respirable silica exposure and personal protective equipment use among brick kiln workers in Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: Brick kiln workers in Nepal are a neglected population who are exposed to high respirable silica concentrations, and few use interventions to reduce exposure. We aimed to characterise the prevalence of respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE) use, understand knowledge and attitudes towards kiln dust and respiratory PPE and identify factors associated with respiratory PPE use. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Bhaktapur, Nepal. We used simple random selection to identify 10 out of 64 total kilns and stratified random sampling of 30 households to enrol workers aged ≥14 years within selected kilns. Field workers surveyed participants using structured questionnaires. Our primary outcome was to characterise the prevalence of current respiratory PPE use and secondary outcomes were summaries of knowledge, attitudes and practice of PPE use. RESULTS: We surveyed 83 workers (mean age 30.8 years, 77.1% male). Of these, 28.9% reported current respiratory PPE use at work, 3.6% heard of silicosis prior to the survey and 24.1% correctly identified the best respiratory PPE (N95, compared with surgical masks and barrier face coverings) for reducing dust exposure. Respiratory PPE users had higher income (mean monthly household income US$206 vs US$145; p=0.04) and education levels (25% vs 5.1% completed more than primary school; p=0.02) compared with non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory PPE use was low. Workers had poor knowledge of kiln dust health effects and proper respiratory PPE. We highlight important barriers to PPE use, particularly knowledge gaps, which can guide future investigations to reduce the silicosis burden among brick kiln workers.

Occupational health and safety portrait of lobster fishers from a St. Lawrence Gulf community.

Lobstering industry workers are known to have poor overall health and low safety records, but there is still a gap in information concerning Canadian lobster fishers. This study aimed to report occupational health and safety characteristics of an Atlantic Canada community of lobster fishers and to assess differences between captains and deckhands. Twenty-eight participants (10 captains, 18 deckhands) were questioned and self-reported on lifestyle, general health status, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries. The data collected reveal both groups' high prevalence of cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health issues. Captains reported more occupational exposition and health issues, and showed poorer lifestyle habits than deckhands. Fishers reported potential solutions to reduce occupational risks, presented as three types: lifestyle, working behaviours and leadership. This study evaluated a community of Canadian lobster fishers regarding their occupational health and safety. Potential avenues for mitigating occupational risk specific to this community will nurture future implementation.

Community-Working Occupational Therapists' Involvement in Research and Development Projects in Norway.

The aim of this study was to explore community-working occupational therapists' involvement in research and development projects. A cross-sectional survey of occupational therapists working in community-based services in Norway (n = 617) was conducted. In all, 117 of the 617 participants responded that they were involved in research and development projects. Greater likelihood of participation in research and development work were found for occupational therapists who had completed further education. Current and prioritized research topics were professional development and the development of interprofessional and professional service designs for occupational therapy. Service and quality development, rehabilitation and technology were areas where more knowledge was considered needed. To increase the growth and success of occupational therapy research and development, it is important that more occupational therapists in the municipality continue to complete further education. High-quality occupational therapy practice should be based on research and development projects in the municipalities.

Navigating uncertainty: occupational therapists' experiences of Long COVID management in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

PURPOSE: Long COVID presents global challenges for healthcare professionals. Occupational therapists responded by seeking effective treatment strategies. The approaches of occupational therapists supporting long-haulers in German-speaking countries remain under-explored. The purpose of this study is to explore how occupational therapists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland navigate and apply profession-specific strategies in the new clinical landscape of Long COVID care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used qualitative-descriptive design and content analysis to extract insights from seven semi-structured interviews with occupational therapists in inpatient and outpatient settings from three countries. RESULTS: Four overarching themes emerged: how Long COVID was encountered within the scope of occupational therapy, the multifaceted repertoire experts used to support long haulers, triumphs and challenges that emerged in Long COVID treatment, and recommendations and opportunities for occupational therapy practice. The results underscore the complex support needed for long-haulers, achieved through a multifaceted occupational therapy repertoire, incorporating client-centred, occupation-focused, and context-referencing strategies with shared decision-making and collaborative therapy planning. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational therapy concepts, with their focus on human occupation, may offer new treatment options and strategies for managing emerging conditions such as Long COVID.

Long COVID-RehabilitationSymptom management in relation to the clients' occupational repertoire improves participation and social function in everyday life.Actively involving clients in the therapy process through shared decision-making enhances tailored rehabilitation.Contextualized interventions take into account clients' needs and concerns, as well as the requirements of their social and professional environment.Teletherapy can be a pragmatic solution to improve the accessibility of rehabilitation services for those affected by long COVID.