Health Care Access Among Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers, 31 States, 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVES: Essential workers in the United States need access to health care services for preventive care and for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] or other infectious or chronic diseases) to remain healthy and continue working during a pandemic. This study evaluated access to health care services among selected essential workers. METHODS: We used the most recent data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2017-2018, to estimate the prevalence of 4 measures of health care access (having health insurance, being able to afford to see a doctor when needed, having a personal health care provider, and having a routine checkup in the past year) by broad and detailed occupation group among 189 208 adults aged 18-64. RESULTS: Of all occupations studied, workers in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations were most likely to have no health insurance (46.4%). Personal care aides were most likely to have been unable to see a doctor when needed because of cost (29.3%). Construction laborers were most likely to lack a personal health care provider (51.1%) and to have not had a routine physical checkup in the past year (50.6%). Compared with workers in general, workers in 3 broad occupation groups-food preparation and serving; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; and construction trades-had significantly lower levels of health care access for all 4 measures. CONCLUSION: Lack of health insurance and underinsurance were common among subsets of essential workers. Limited access to health care might decrease essential workers' access to medical testing and needed care and hinder their ability to address underlying conditions, thereby increasing their risk of severe outcomes from some infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Improving access to health care for all workers, including essential workers, is critical to ensure workers' health and workforce stability.

Hepatitis E virus infection and waste pickers: A case-control seroprevalence study.

Whether waste pickers are a risk group for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the association between HEV exposure and the occupation of waste pickers and the work characteristics of waste pickers. An age-and gender-matched case-control seroprevalence study of 86 waste pickers and 86 control subjects of the general population was performed. We determined anti-HEV IgG antibodies in sera of cases and controls using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay. The McNemar's test was used to assess the association between HEV seropositivity and the occupation of waste picker. The association between HEV seropositivity and work characteristics of waste pickers was assessed by bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in 14 (16.3%) of the 86 waste pickers and in 8 (9.3%) of the 86 control subjects (McNemar's pair test: odds ratio (OR) = 13.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.73-230.77; p = .02). Bivariate analysis showed that HEV exposure was associated with an ill status (p = .01) and reflexes impairment (p = .009). Logistic regression analysis showed that HEV seropositivity was associated with increasing age (OR = 6.52; 95% CI: 1.95-21.78; p = .002) and raising pigs (OR = 12.01; 95% CI: 1.48-97.26; p = .02). This is the first age- and gender-matched case-control study on the association between HEV infection and the occupation of waste picker. Waste pickers represent a risk group for HEV infection. Factors associated with HEV seropositivity found in this study may help in the design of optimal planning to avoid HEV infection.

Validation of an Instrument to guide Nursing Staffing in Obstetric Rooming in.

OBJECTIVES: to construct and validate an instrument for the classification of mother-baby binomials that subsidizes personnel Staffing in in-rooming units. METHOD: methodological study. The construction was based on theoretical and legal references. Content validity was performed by experts through the content validity index measurement. Then, the instrument was applied to a sample of 122 binomials, and exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal components analysis. RESULTS: the instrument consisted of seven care indicators: Birth route; Maternal morbidity; Neonatal morbidity; Breastfeeding; Social aggravating factors; Care guidance; and interaction and bonding. All with content validity index of 1. The construct was composed of 3 domains, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.62, 0.85 and 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: the classification instrument of mother-baby binomials allows the classification of mother-baby binomials and may support personnel Staffing in in-rooming units.

Validation of an Instrument to guide Nursing Staffing in Obstetric Rooming in / Validación de Instrumento para fundamentar dimensionamiento de Profesionales de Enfermería em Alojamiento Conjunto / Validação de Instrumento para fundamentar dimensionamento de Profissionais de Enfermagem em Alojamento Conjunto

ABSTRACT Objectives: to construct and validate an instrument for the classification of mother-baby binomials that subsidizes personnel Staffing in in-rooming units. Method: methodological study. The construction was based on theoretical and legal references. Content validity was performed by experts through the content validity index measurement. Then, the instrument was applied to a sample of 122 binomials, and exploratory factor analysis was performed using the principal components analysis. Results: the instrument consisted of seven care indicators: Birth route; Maternal morbidity; Neonatal morbidity; Breastfeeding; Social aggravating factors; Care guidance; and interaction and bonding. All with content validity index of 1. The construct was composed of 3 domains, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.62, 0.85 and 0.89. Conclusions: the classification instrument of mother-baby binomials allows the classification of mother-baby binomials and may support personnel Staffing in in-rooming units.

RESUMEN Objetivos: elaborar y validar un instrumento para clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal que subsidie el dimensionamiento de personal en unidades de alojamiento conjunto. Métodos: estudio metodológico. La construcción ha sido basada en referencias teóricas y legales. La validez de contenido ha sido realizada por expertos por medio de medición del índice de validez de contenido. Luego, el instrumento ha sido aplicado en una muestra de 122 binomios, y ha sido realizado análisis factorial exploratoria por el método de componentes principales. Resultados: el instrumento ha quedó constituido por siete indicadores de cuidado: Vía de parto; Morbilidad materna; Morbilidad neonatal; Amamantamiento; Agravantes sociales; Orientación de cuidados; e Interacción y vínculo. Todos con índice de validez de contenido iguales a 1. El constructo ha sido compuesto por 3 dominios, con Alfa de Cronbach de 0,62, 0,85 y 0,89. Conclusiones: el instrumento para la clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal permite la clasificación de binomios puerperio neonatal y podrá basarse el dimensionamiento de personal en alojamiento conjunto.

RESUMO Objetivos: construir e validar um instrumento para classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato que subsidie o dimensionamento de pessoal em unidades de alojamento conjunto. Métodos: estudo metodológico. A construção foi embasada em referenciais teóricos e legais. A validade de conteúdo foi realizada por expertos por meio de mensuração do índice de validade de conteúdo. Em seguida, o instrumento foi aplicado em uma amostra de 122 binômios, e foi realizada análise fatorial exploratória pelo método de componentes principais. Resultados: o instrumento ficou constituído por sete indicadores de cuidado: Via de parto; Morbidade materna; Morbidade neonatal; Aleitamento; Agravantes sociais; Orientação de cuidados; e Interação e vínculo. Todos com índice de validade de conteúdo iguais a 1. O constructo foi composto por 3 domínios, com Alfa de Cronbach de 0,62, 0,85 e 0,89. Conclusões: o instrumento para a classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato permite a classificação de binômios puérpera-neonato e poderá embasar o dimensionamento de pessoal em alojamento conjunto.

Psychological distress in remote mining and construction workers in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in a sample of remote mining and construction workers in Australia. Design, setting: A cross-sectional, anonymous Wellbeing and Lifestyle Survey at ten mining sites in South Australia and Western Australia, administered at meetings held during 2013-2015. PARTICIPANTS: 1124 employees at remote construction, and open cut and underground mining sites completed the survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: General psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10) and self-reported overall mental health status; work, lifestyle and family factors correlated with level of psychological distress. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 1124 workers; 93.5% were men, 63% were aged 25-44 years. 311 respondents (28%) had K10 scores indicating high/very high psychological distress, compared with 10.8% for Australia overall. The most frequently reported stressors were missing special events (86%), relationship problems with partners (68%), financial stress (62%), shift rosters (62%), and social isolation (60%). High psychological distress was significantly more likely in workers aged 25-34 years (v ≥ 55 years: odds ratio [OR], 3.2; P = 0.001) and workers on a 2 weeks on/1 week off roster (v 4 weeks on/1 week off: OR, 2.4; P < 0.001). Workers who were very or extremely stressed by their assigned tasks or job (OR, 6.2; P = 0.004), their current relationship (OR, 8.2; P < 0.001), or their financial situation (OR, 6.0; P < 0.001) were significantly more likely to have high/very high K10 scores than those not stressed by these factors. Workers who reported stress related to stigmatisation of mental health problems were at the greatest risk of high/very high psychological distress (v not stressed: OR, 23.5; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress is significantly more prevalent in the remote mining and construction workforce than in the overall Australian population. The factors that contribute to mental ill health in these workers need to be addressed, and the stigma associated with mental health problems reduced.

The general practice nurse workforce: Estimating future supply

BACKGROUND: General practice nurses (GPNs) form an important component of the general practice workforce in Australia. Despite this, there is limited research on estimating their future supply. This study aims to estimate the future GPN supply and the impact of a range of policy and non-policy changes on workforce balances. METHOD: A simulation model of the GPN workforce over the period 2012­25 was developed, with scenario analysis used to assess the effects of policy and non­policy scenarios. RESULTS: The baseline scenario estimated a shortage of 814 full-time GPNs by 2025. The non-policy single scenarios all projected shortages by 2025. The worst-case scenario was reduced working hours and best-case scenario was the retention scenario. DISCUSSION: Over the 13-year period considered, the Australian practice nurse workforce is predicted to move into a position of shortage. Retention and recruitment policies are shown to be effective in addressing these shortages.