Factors related with quality on sleep of daytime workers.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to identify the sleep status of daytime workers who do not work in shifts. This study analyzed factors affecting sleep duration and sleep quality. METHODS: This study was conducted on 1171 daytime workers at a manufacturing workshop. We used a self-administered questionnaire to investigate demographic variables, work type, working period, musculoskeletal symptoms and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep. Regular health checkup was conducted for the worker's clinical examination. RESULTS: The mean sleep duration was 6.36 h and the mean score on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was 4.46. Work type and obesity were related to sleep duration. Age, obesity and musculoskeletal pain were significantly related to sleep quality. The prevalence ratio of researcher group for short sleep duration was 1.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.58). The prevalence ratio of those aged 50 years and over was 0.47 (0.25-0.91) and of those in their 40s was 0.56 (0.35-0.91) for poor sleep quality compared to those in their 20s. The prevalence ratio of the obesity group for poor sleep quality was 1.53 (1.10-2.12). The prevalence ratio of musculoskeletal pain group for poor sleep quality was 1.92 (1.29-2.84). CONCLUSIONS: Age, obesity and musculoskeletal pain were factors affecting the poor quality on sleep of daytime workers. In addition, work type related to short sleep duration.

Participatory action oriented training for hospital nurses (PAOTHN) program to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to construct and test the feasibility and potential utility of a Participatory Action Oriented Training for Hospital Nurses (PAOTHN) program to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The PAOTHN program emphasized the active participation of nurses, resulting in practical and low-cost solutions for improving their work environment by reducing risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: The PAOTHN program was conducted in a hospital located in a suburb of Seoul, South Korea. Of the 24 units in the hospital, 16 units participated in the study. The main components of the intervention were a series of structured workshops, continuous technical assistance by the research team, and periodical forums for sharing "best practices" among the participants. RESULTS: Through the workshops, head nurses of the participating units identified a total of 46 strategic (23 short-term and 23 long-term) plans for reducing musculoskeletal disorders risks across five dimensions: (1) patient care and treatment, (2) safe handling of drugs, medical devices, and equipment, (3) workstation design, (4) physical environment, and (5) welfare facilities and administration. Over the course of the year-long project, 18 of the suggested plans were completed, for an overall completion rate of 39.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The PAOTHN program was found to be feasible and potentially useful in reducing the musculoskeletal disorder risks faced by hospital nurses, and in identifying both risk factors and improvement opportunities at the individual and organizational levels.