Sick leaves among healthy pregnant Croatian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic due to loopholes in the occupational safety system.

The aim of this study was to explore occupational safety in pregnant Croatian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To this end we composed an anonymous questionnaire that included pregnancy data, risk assessment and mitigation, and workplace intervention and distributed it to HCWs through social media of their groups and associations. The study includes a total of 173 respondents (71.1 % physicians, 19.7 % nurses, 9.2 % other HCWs) diagnosed with pregnancy in 2020 and 2021. Employers were notified about HCWs' pregnancy at the eighth (IQR 7.0-11.0) week of pregnancy, which delayed workplace risk assessment and mitigation beyond the first trimester. Only 19.6 % of the participants had the risk assessed and mitigated, mostly on their own initiative (76.5 %). After notifying employers about pregnancy, 37.0 % of participants opted for temporary work incapacity (TWI) due to "pregnancy complications" despite healthy pregnancy, 16.8 % were granted a pregnant worker's paid leave at the expense of the employer, while 5.8 % continued to work at the same workplace. Nurses used the TWI benefit more frequently than physicians (58.8 % vs 30.1 %, P=0.004). Our findings suggest that occupational safety of pregnant HCWs in Croatia lacks clear-cut and transparent strategies to protect pregnant HCWs, forcing them to misuse the healthcare system.

Occupational health disorders among physical education teachers compared to classroom and subject specialist teachers.

During the course of their work, teachers may be subjected to conditions that cause different health problems. This study examines occupational health disorders in a representative sample of 858 teachers (528 female; age 44.0 ± 9.67 years) divided into three groups of teachers with specific occupational requirements: specialist physical education teachers (specialist PETs), classroom teachers, and specialist teachers. The number of health disorders in the last 12 months was recorded using the Chronic Health Disorders Questionnaire. The differences between the different types of teachers, controlled for sex and age, were analyzed using binary logistic regression. The results showed that 89% of teachers experienced colds as the most frequently reported health problem, followed by 58% for lower back problems, 57% for headaches, 51% for hoarseness, and 43% for neck problems. A binary logistic regression showed that specialist PETs were the group with the highest health risk. They were about twice as likely to have musculoskeletal or hearing disorders than the other two groups of teachers. They were also significantly more likely to suffer from hoarseness. Understanding these different health challenges is critical to developing targeted interventions and robust support systems. These interventions should include initiatives aimed at raising awareness of health risk factors, implementing injury interventions and vocal cord hygiene programs, making ergonomic adjustments, and promoting awareness of self-care (both mental and physical). Given that the teaching profession is currently struggling with an aging workforce and a shortage of teachers, addressing these challenges is critical to the continued well-being of the teaching professionals.

[Psychotherapeutic consultation at work: associations between company size and psychosomatic health]. / Psychotherapeutische Sprechstunde am Arbeitsplatz: Zusammenhänge zwischen Unternehmensgröße und psychosomatischer Gesundheit.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PT-A) has so far been investigated in large enterprises (LEs). These differ structurally from small(est) and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Differences in the user profiles of a PT­A with regard to psychosomatic health, work-related self-efficacy, and work ability depending on company size have hardly been investigated. This study also examined differences in the employees' perception of the psychosocial safety climate (PSC) in the company, which represents management's efforts to promote mental health. METHODS: As part of the Early Intervention in the Workplace intervention study called "friaa", employees from LEs and SMEs interested in a PT­A were surveyed throughout Germany from September 2021 to January 2023. Using t­ and χ2-tests, differences between employees in LEs (n = 439) and SMEs (n = 109) were examined with regard to the ICD-10 F diagnostic code ("International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems"; mental and behavioral disorders), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-2), level of functioning (GAF), somatic symptom burden (SSS-8), health (VR-12), ability to work (WAI), self-efficacy (SOSES), and psychosocial safety climate (PSC-4). The association between these variables and especially the PSC­4 were investigated using correlation analysis. RESULTS: Both groups showed similar levels of stress. From the employees' perspective, psychosocial issues were addressed significantly more frequently in LEs than in SMEs with a medium effect size. The study provided initial indications that in LEs there were positive correlations of the PSC­4 with SOSES and WAI and negative ones with PHQ­9 and SSS­8. DISCUSSION: The comparable psychological strain on employees in LEs and SMEs points to the need for behavioral and structural preventive measures regardless of the company size. Mainly in SMEs, organizational communication of psychosocial health should be given greater priority.

Occupational health screening during Gurkha Central Selection: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The selection process to the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas is rigorous, demanding and competitive. The ethos of recruitment to the Gurkhas is grounded in an overarching tenant: that selection is free, fair and transparent. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review reasons for potential recruits (PRs) to be deemed medically unsuitable or deferred suitability on medical grounds for selection to the Brigade of Gurkhas. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted by extracted data from published post-exercise reports for the past four years to ascertain numbers of PRs deemed medically fit, medically unsuitable or deferred suitability on medical grounds. The International Classification of Disease version 11 (ICD-11) codes were retrospectively assigned to code medical reasons for non-progression. Rates of medical non-progression were compared by year. RESULTS: A total of 3154 PRs were analysed between 2018 and 2021. There was no significant difference between PRs deemed medically fit and those deemed medically suitable or deferred on medical grounds over the study period (p=0.351). There was a significant difference in the ratio of PRs deferred on medical grounds and those deemed medically unsuitable over the study period (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Selection to the Gurkhas is extremely competitive. These data demonstrate that, overall, reasons for medical deferral or unsuitability have remained constant despite the impact of a global pandemic. These data reinforce the central tenant of Gurkha selection; that it continues to be free, fair, and transparent.

Occupational well-being in medical workers in Inner Mongolia after the Normalized Epidemic Prevention and Control Strategy: A cross-sectional study.

Little is known about the status of occupational well-being among the Chinese medical workers after the implementation of Normalized Epidemic Prevention and Control strategy as most studies are performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed to investigate the occupational well-being among the medical workers in our city in the COVID-19 after the release of Normalized Epidemic Prevention and Control Strategy since May 7, 2020 in mainland China. We included the medical workers involved in the front-line of COVID-19 that were randomly selected from 7 hospitals in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The occupational well-being among medical workers was evaluated using the modified occupational well-being scales and the symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scale. Then Logistic regression analysis was given to identify the risk factors that may affect the occupational well-being among the medical workers. Our data showed that hospital type (p < 0.01), hospital grade (p < 0.01), marital status (p < 0.01) and monthly income (p < 0.01) were independent risk factors for the occupational well-being among the medical workers. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatization, phobic anxiety, depression and interpersonal sensitivity were risk factors for poor occupational well-being. Therefore, attention should be given to the occupational well-being of the medical workers. Meanwhile, appropriate measurements are necessary to improve their working quality.

Precarious work and methodological challenges to study hard-to-reach populations.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the methodological challenges and strategies of a web survey on the working conditions and health among delivery workers. METHODS: The study population consisted of Brazilian delivery workers operating in the national territory. Procedures include building solid and ongoing collaboration with worker representatives and conducting a four-month data collection from February to May 2022, sharing the link to the online questionnaire on social media such as social networks (Facebook, Instagram) and messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram). RESULTS: The recruitment of 41 leaders or influencers of delivery workers increased the dissemination of the study, some of whom participated in the consensual validation of the questionnaire; the production of content for social media for the dissemination of the questionnaire link on social networks and applications, and the in-person dissemination of the study at the delivery workers' meeting points during the workday played a fundamental role, totaling around 132 hours in 45 shifts. The strategies adopted for data collection with a hybrid approach to dissemination made it possible to carry out the web survey. After four months of the web survey, 564 delivery workers, 543 men and 18 women, responded to the online questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The web survey presented methodological strategies to overcome the challenge of reaching workers, including hybrid work, to increase the participation of workers, on whom epidemiological research is still scarce.

Association between workplace health promotion service utilisation and depressive symptoms among workers: a nationwide survey.

OBJECTIVES: Workplace-related factors are associated with the risk of depression. Despite implementation of workplace health promotion (WHP) programmes in China to promote the physical and mental well-being of workers, the relationship between WHP and depression has received limited attention. This study investigated the association between WHP service utilisation and depressive symptoms among workers. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, WHP service utilisation, and mental health status. The Lasso method was used for variable selection to achieve dimension reduction, and logistic regression was used to assess the association between WHP service utilisation and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The analysis included 11,710 workers, of whom 17.0% had depressive symptoms. Lasso regression resulted in 6 of 18 WHP services showing significant negative associations with depressive symptoms, including occupational safety training, mental health services, health check-ups, sports activities, fitness rooms, and healthy canteens. The logistic regression results showed that, after adjusting for sociodemographic and occupational factors, utilisation of these six services was associated with a decreased likelihood of depressive symptoms. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-0.96) for occupational safety training, aOR: 0.82 (95% CI: 0.68-0.99) for mental health services, aOR: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90) for health check-ups, aOR: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.57-0.80) for sports activities, aOR: 0.59 (95% CI: 0.47-0.74) for fitness rooms and aOR: 0.72 (95% CI: 0.59-0.87) for healthy canteens. CONCLUSIONS: Utilisation of WHP services was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. Implementation of WHP services and the provision of a supportive workplace environment should be prioritised to benefit the mental health of workers.

Understanding the interplay of occupational, public health, and climate-related risks for informal workers: A new framework with findings from Zimbabwe and India.

Globally, there are 2 billion 'informal' workers, who lack access to social protection while facing profound health risks and socioeconomic exclusions. The informal economy has generated most jobs in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), but few studies have explored informal workers' complex health vulnerabilities, including in the face of climate change. This paper will discuss recent action-research in Indore (India), Harare, and Masvingo (Zimbabwe) with informal workers like vendors, waste-pickers, and urban farmers. We conducted qualitative interviews (N = 110 in India), focus group discussions (N = 207 in Zimbabwe), and a quantitative survey (N = 418 in Zimbabwe). Many informal workers live in informal settlements ('slums'), and we highlight the interrelated health risks at their homes and workplaces. We explore how climate-related threats-including heatwaves, drought, and floods-negatively affect informal workers' health and livelihoods. These challenges often have gender-inequitable impacts. We also analyse workers' individual and collective responses. We propose a comprehensive framework to reveal the drivers of health in the informal economy, and we complement this holistic approach with a new research agenda. Our framework highlights the socioeconomic, environmental, and political determinants of informal workers' health. We argue that informal workers may face difficult trade-offs, due to competing priorities in the face of climate change and other risks. Future interventions will need to recognise informal workers' array of risks and co-develop multifaceted solutions, thereby helping to avoid such impossible choices. We recommend holistic initiatives to foster health and climate resilience, as well as participatory action-research partnerships and qualitative, intersectional data-collection with informal workers.

Patterns of common illness and injury of readymade garment workers and a review of safety practices in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Readymade garment workers globally experience distinctive vulnerabilities at the workplace. The situation is worse in many developing countries. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence about the health and safety of garment workers in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the patterns of illness and injury of garment workers, factory level health safety policies and programs, and views and perception of management staff at factories in Bangladesh. METHODS: This mixed-method study was conducted among garment workers and management level staff between January 2018 and April 2019. We extracted 4000 health records of the workers who attended primary health care centers of the factories and conducted 11 key informant interviews using qualitative method from different management-level staff. RESULTS: Half of the workers (51.0%) were working in the sewing section following 12.8% in quality control and 12.3% in the laundry section. A review of the medical records showed that peptic ulcer diseases (PUDs) (19.2%), fever (11.7%), loose motion (10.3%), and headache (9.4%). Needle injury was uncommon for taking medical care. Occupational safety and health management, safe drinking water, access to maternity leave and other facilities were better in large and medium factories compared with those in small factories. CONCLUSIONS: Although the readymade garments sector is one of the largest sources of foreign currency revenue earnings in Bangladesh, occupational health and safety issues of workers remain a big concern. Thus, support from the government needs more focus on the health and safety of workers.

Occupational Injuries and Health Status Among Rural Tribal Non-Traditional Fishing Communities in the Coastal Region of Tamil Nadu, India.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the occupational injuries and health hazards associated with fishing as an occupation among non-traditional rural tribal fishing communities in the coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 170 individuals belonging to a fishing community, comprising both male (n = 82) and female (n = 88) participants. The demographic details including occupational history, lifestyle characteristics, socio-economic status, personal habits, and health status were assessed through the questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The fishing community has a low socioeconomic status and poor literacy, lifestyle, and personal habits. The mean age of the participants was 38.8 yrs (male 34.8; female 39.9 yrs). Only 10% reported usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the work duration varied from 8 to 24 hrs in a day. While male subjects reported smoking habits (12%) and alcohol consumption (23%), none of the females reported alcohol consumption and smoking habits. The major occupational injuries that occurred were due to catfish (72%) and oysters (48%). A large number of female subjects reported musculoskeletal pains. The body mass index of about 28% of fishermen was above the normal range. Abnormal blood sugar, blood pressure, and respiratory and neurological symptoms were the other major health complaints. The major environmental hazards reported were salinity, solar radiation, tides, and high wind. CONCLUSION: Injuries from handling fish and oysters were observed to be the major occupational burden. Additonally, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic health illness was commonly observed among the fishers. Adequate training and awareness programs are required for effective management of occupational health hazards and health promotion.

Incidence and Predictors of COVID-19 Infection in Prison Healthcare Workers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection among correctional healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the demographic and workplace characteristics of New Jersey correctional HCWs between March 15, 2020, and August 31, 2020, using univariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Among 822 HCWs, patient-facing staff had the highest incidence of infection (7.2%). Associated risk factors include being Black and working in a maximum-security prison. There were few statistically significant findings due to small total numbers ( n = 47) that tested positive. CONCLUSIONS: Correctional HCWs' challenging work environment creates unique risk factors for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Administrative measures taken by the department of corrections may have a significant role in curbing the spread of infection. The findings can help focus preventive measures for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in this unique population.

Transtornos mentais comuns em profissionais da Atenção Primária à Saúde em um período de pandemia da covid-19: estudo transversal na macrorregião Norte de saúde de Minas Gerais, 2021 / Transtornos mentales comunes en profesionales de atención primaria de salud durante el período de pandemia de covid-19: un estudio transversal de la macrorregión norte de Minas Gerais, Brasil, 2021 / Common mental disorders in Primary Health Care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic period: a cross-sectional study in the Northern health macro-region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, 2021

Objective: to analyze the prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMDs) in Primary Health Care professionals between August-October/2021. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study conducted with health professionals in the Northern health macro-region of Minas Gerais state; snowball sampling was used; the dependent variable, CMDs, was evaluated using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20); Poisson regression was used to perform the statistical analysis. Results: a total of 702 health professionals took part in the study; the prevalence of CDMs was 43.2%. It was higher in those with previous [prevalence ratios (PR) = 2.42; 95%CI 1.43;4.08] and current (PR = 1.54; 95%CI 1.25;1.89) symptoms of mental disorders, overwork during the pandemic (PR = 1.42; 95%CI 1.16;1.73), previous symptoms of anxiety (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.01;1.61), depression (PR = 1.27; 95%CI 1.06;1.52) and other mental disorders (PR = 1.20; 95%CI 1.01;1.43). Conclusion: there was an association between CDMs and presenting previous and current symptoms of mental disorders and work overload during the covid-19 pandemic.

Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de síntomas de trastornos mentales comunes (TMC) en profesionales sanitarios de la Atención Primaria de Salud de agosto a octubre de 2021. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado con profesionales de la salud de la macrorregión norte de Minas Gerais. El muestreo fue del tipo bola de nieve. La variable dependiente, TMC, se evaluó mediante el Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la regresión de Poisson. Resultados: participaron 702 profesionales de salud. La prevalencia de TMC fue del 43,2%, mayor en quienes presentaban síntomas de trastornos mentales previos (RP = 2,42; IC95% 1,43;4,08) y actuales (RP = 1,54; IC95% 1,25;1,89); exceso de trabajo durante la pandemia (RP = 1,42; IC95% 1,16;1,73); síntomas previos de ansiedad (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,01;1,61), depresión (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,06;1,52) y otros trastornos mentales (RP = 1,20; IC95% 1,01;1,43). Conclusión: hubo una asociación entre los TMC y los síntomas previos y actuales de los trastornos mentales y la sobrecarga de trabajo durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Objetivo: analisar a prevalência de sintomas de transtornos mentais comuns (TMCs) em profissionais de saúde da Atenção Primária à Saúde, no período agosto-outubro/2021. Métodos: estudo transversal com profissionais de saúde da macrorregião Norte de saúde de Minas Gerais; amostragem de tipo "bola de neve"; a variável dependente, TMCs, foi avaliada pelo Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20); utilizou-se regressão de Poisson na análise estatística. Resultados: participaram 702 profissionais de saúde; a prevalência de TMCs foi de 43,2%, maior naqueles que apresentaram sintomas de transtornos mentais prévios [razão de prevalências (RP) = 2,42 ;IC95% 1,43;4,08] e atuais (RP = 1,54; IC95% 1,25;1,89), trabalho a mais durante a pandemia (RP = 1,42; IC95% 1,16;1,73), sintomas prévios de ansiedade (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,01;1,61), depressão (RP = 1,27; IC95% 1,06;1,52) e outros transtornos mentais (RP = 1,20; IC95% 1,01;1,43). Conclusão: observou-se associação de TMCs com sintomas prévios e atuais de transtornos mentais e sobrecarga de trabalho, durante a pandemia da covid-19.

Análisis estadístico de los factores de riesgo asociados a las patologías de la columna lumbar para la población empleada / Statistical analysis of risk factors associated with lumbar spine pathologies for the employed population

Objetivo: Determinar los factores de riesgo de patologías lumbares en pacientes empleados y afiliados al sistema de salud, a partir de la exploración física, hábitos, antecedentes personales y factores de riesgo laborales. Material y Métodos: El diseño del estudio es retrospectivo, transversal. En una muestra de 668 adultos trabajadores del Ecuador, se aplicó y evaluó el modelo predictivo de respuesta binaria logit para identificar factores de riesgo y se usaron métodos de aprendizaje supervisado (árboles de clasificación) para clasificar a los pacientes según el grado de patología lumbar. Resultados: El modelo predictivo logístico presentó una sensibilidad del 62,5%, una especificidad del 63,7%, el área bajo la curva ROC fue 0,63 y se determinó una precisión del 63,4%.Conclusión: Los factores que aumentan el riesgo de la patología de columna lumbar más frecuente (lumbalgia) y en orden de importancia en los pacientes son: menor edad, sexo femenino, tienden a exponerse a factores de riesgo psicosocial en su trabajo

Objective: Determine the risk factors of lumbar pathologies in patients employed and affi-liated with the health system, based on physical examination, habits, personal history, and occupational risk factors.Materials and Methods: The study design is retrospective, cross-sectional. In a sample of 668 adult workers from Ecuador. The binary logit response predictive model was applied to identify risk factors and supervised learning methodology (classification trees) was used to classify patients according to the degree of lumbar pathology.Results: The logistic predictive model has a sensitivity of 62.5%, a specificity of 63.7%, the area under the ROC curve was 0.63, and precision of 63.4% was determined.Conclusion: The factors that increase the risk of the most frequent lumbar pathology (low back pain) in order of importance in patients are: younger age, female sex, tend to be expo-sed to psychosocial risk factors at work, and lower risk of having mechanical factors.

Differences in Cancer Mortality Rate Depending on Occupational Class among Japanese Women, 1995-2015.

BACKGROUND: Although it is known that cancer mortality rate varies depending on occupations in Japan, differences in female cancer mortality rate depending on occupational classes have not been analyzed using the Vital Statistics in Japan. In this study, we analyzed the Vital Statistics data in Japan from 1995 to 2015, and revealed differences in cancer mortality rate depending on occupational classes among Japanese women. METHODS: The Vital Statistics data by occupations from 1995 to 2015 were obtained from the "Report of Vital Statistics : Occupational and Industrial Aspects" in Japan, and data on mortality for cancer in all sites, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cancer were used. We classified main occupation categories into non-manual workers and manual workers, and calculated age-standardized mortality rate for each of the occupational class, year, age group, and type of cancer and its annual percent change. RESULTS: Age-standardized mortality rates for non-manual workers (222.0 per 100,000 persons in 1995 and 143.8 per 100,000 persons in 2015) were higher in cancer in all sites than those for manual workers (127.6 per 100,000 persons in 1995 and 103.7 per 100,000 persons in 2015) throughout the years. However, age-standardized mortality rates showed a significant decreasing trend between 1995 and 2015 for non-manual workers, and the absolute value of annual percent change was higher in non-manual workers than in manual workers. As a result, a difference in age-standardized mortality rates for cancer in all sites between the two types of occupational classes decreased throughout the years. CONCLUSION: A further study investigating differences in physical or behavioral characteristics of female non-manual and manual workers is needed in order to understand the key factors for the higher cancer mortality rate in non-manual workers.

Health and Mortality in Korean Healthcare Workers.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the health status of healthcare workers (doctors and nurses) compared to those in the general population based on the National Health Insurance Service database and the cause of death data from Statistics Korea. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 104,484 doctors and 220,310 nurses working in healthcare facilities from 2002 to 2017, and who had undergone at least one general medical examination. Based on the subject definition, the subject data were extracted from the National Health Insurance healthcare facility database and qualification database. We collected medical use details included in the research database, general medical examination results, medical history included in the health examination database, and additional data on the cause of death from the National Statistics database to analyze the main cause of death and mortality. RESULTS: In terms of the major causes of death and mortality among healthcare workers, the mortality rate associated with intentional self-harm, injury, transportation accident, heart disease, addiction, and falling was significantly higher than that in the general population. Further, the prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases was high. When analyzing the proportional mortality ratio (PMR) by cause of death for healthcare workers, the PMR values for death related to malignant neoplasm was the highest. In terms of diseases, both doctors and nurses had higher rates of infectious diseases such as maternal sepsis, rubella, and measles. CONCLUSION: The health status of healthcare workers differs from that of the general population. Thus, it is important to consider the occupational characteristics of healthcare personnel. This study is unique in that it was conducted based on medical use indicators rather than survey data.

Employee Health and Wellness Outcomes Associated With Perceived Discrimination in Academic Medicine: A Qualitative Analysis.

Importance: Organizational culture and workplace interactions may enhance or adversely impact the wellness of all members of learning and work environments, yet a nuanced understanding of how such experiences within health care organizations impact the health and wellness of their membership is lacking. Objective: To identify and characterize the reported health and wellness outcomes associated with perceived discrimination among academic medicine faculty, staff, and students. Design, Setting, and Participants: This qualitative study analyzed anonymously submitted written narratives from 2016 that described experiences related to inclusion in the workplace or lack thereof. Narratives that described health outcomes associated with work- or school-based discrimination were purposively sampled. Participants were faculty, staff, and students at health-related schools or hospitals affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania. Data analysis was performed from March 2019 to January 2020. Exposures: Self-reported experiences, both witnessed and personal, of discrimination in the workplace. Results: A total of 315 narratives were collected, and 115 narratives from 115 participants were analyzed. Most respondents identified as female (70 respondents [60.9%]), non-Hispanic White (68 respondents [59.1%]), and heterosexual (89 respondents [77.4%]) and had worked at the institution for at least 1 year (99 respondents [86.0%]). The outcomes associated with adverse workplace experiences were broad and ranged in nature from emotional to mental and physical. Most reported outcomes were emotional (101 respondents [87.8%]), and more than 1 in 10 narratives (14 respondents [12.2%]) described a mental or physical health outcome. Many of the participants felt devaluated, overexerted, and hopeless, resulting in clinically relevant manifestations, such as increased stress and anxiety levels and even elevated blood pressure. Conclusions and Relevance: This qualitative study identified a continuum of negative outcomes on employee health and well-being associated with perceived discrimination and chronic exclusion in the workplace. These findings suggest the need for organizations to promote inclusion as a component of workplace wellness interventions.

Essential but Ill-Prepared: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects the Mental Health of the Grocery Store Workforce.

OBJECTIVES: Frontline essential workers face elevated risks of exposure to COVID-19 because of the interactive nature of their jobs, which require high levels of interaction with the general public and coworkers. The impact of these elevated risks on the mental health of essential workers, especially outside the health care sector, is not well studied. To address this knowledge gap, we examined correlations between perceptions of workplace risks and mental health distress among grocery store workers in Arizona. METHODS: We collected the first statewide sample of essential workers outside the health care sector focused on mental health and well-being. A total of 3344 grocery store workers in Arizona completed an online survey in July 2020. We used multiple regression models to identify demographic and work-based correlates of mental health distress. RESULTS: Levels of mental health distress among respondents were high: 557 of 3169 (17.6%) reported severe levels and 482 of 3168 (15.2%) reported moderate levels. Perceptions of workplace safety were strongly correlated with significantly reduced levels of mental health distress (ß = -1.44; SE = 0.20) and reduced perceived stress (ß = -0.97; SE = 0.16). Financially disadvantaged workers and employees aged <55 reported high levels of mental health distress. Perceptions of safety and protection in the workplace were significantly correlated with availability of safety trainings, social distancing, and policies governing customer behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Lacking sufficient workplace protections, grocery store employees in Arizona experienced high levels of mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing clear federal and state policies to employers to guide implementation of workplace protections may help reduce sources of mental health distress.

Occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinfection during the second pandemic surge: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This cohort study including essential workers, assessed the risk and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the second surge of COVID-19 according to baseline serostatus and occupational sector. METHODS: Essential workers were selected from a seroprevalence survey cohort in Geneva, Switzerland and were linked to a state centralised registry compiling SARS-CoV-2 infections. Primary outcome was the incidence of virologically confirmed infections from serological assessment (between May and September 2020) to 25 January 2021, according to baseline antibody status and stratified by three predefined occupational groups (occupations requiring sustained physical proximity, involving brief regular contact or others). RESULTS: 10 457 essential workers were included (occupations requiring sustained physical proximity accounted for 3057 individuals, those involving regular brief contact, 3645 and 3755 workers were classified under 'Other essential occupations'). After a follow-up period of over 27 weeks, 5 (0.6%) seropositive and 830 (8.5%) seronegative individuals had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, with an incidence rate of 0.2 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.6) and 3.2 (95% CI 2.9 to 3.4) cases per person-week, respectively. Incidences were similar across occupational groups. Seropositive essential workers had a 93% reduction in the hazard (HR of 0.07, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.17) of having a positive test during the follow-up with no significant between-occupational group difference. CONCLUSIONS: A 10-fold reduction in the hazard of being virologically tested positive was observed among anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositive essential workers regardless of their sector of occupation, confirming the seroprotective effect of a previous SARS-CoV2 exposure at least 6 months after infection.

Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de profissionais de enfermagem na Bahia na pandemia da COVID-19 / Health-related quality of life of nursing professionals in Bahia, Brazil, in the COVID-19 pandemic / Calidad de vida de los profesionales de enfermería en Bahía, Brasil, en la pandemia COVID-19

Objetivo: Identificar fatores associados à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de profissionais de enfermagem da Bahia durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Método: Estudo transversal, amostragem tipo snowball com 113 enfermeiras(os) e técnicas(os) de enfermagem. De setembro/2020 a maio/2021, num formulário eletrônico, coletaram-se informações sociodemográficas, ocupacionais, epidemiológicas e de qualidade de vida, avaliada pelo questionário WHOQOL-BREF nos seus domínios Físico, Psicológico, Relações sociais e Meio ambiente. Utilizou-se regressão linear múltipla para identificar fatores associados à variação dos domínios do WHOQOL-BREF. Resultados: Baixos escores de qualidade de vida associaram-se significantemente a várias características dos profissionais: ser caso suspeito de COVID-19, no domínio Físico; ficar sem exercer a profissão por causa da COVID-19, nos domínios Físico e Psicológico; trabalhar exclusivamente em instituições privadas, no domínio Relações sociais; ter mais idade, no domínio Relações sociais; e não receber apoio social de outras pessoas, nos domínios Físico, Psicológico, Relações sociais e Meio Ambiente. Conclusão e implicações para a prática: Ter mais idade, vínculo exclusivo com instituição privada, ser caso suspeito de COVID-19, ficar sem exercer a profissão por causa da COVID-19 e não receber apoio social associaram-se à baixa qualidade de vida de profissionais de enfermagem durante a pandemia

Objective: To identify factors associated with the health-related quality of life of nursing professionals in Bahia, Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Cross-sectional study with snowball sampling including 113 nurses and nursing technicians. From September 2020 to May 2021, sociodemographic, occupational, epidemiological, and quality of life information was collected in an electronic form and evaluated with the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, according to its Physical, Psychological, Social relations, and Environmental domains. Multiple linear regression was used to identify factors associated with variation in the four quality of life domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Results: Low quality of life mean scores were significantly associated with being a suspected case of COVID-19 (in the Physical domain), withdrawing from professional practice due to COVID-19 (Physical and Psychological domains), working exclusively in private institutions (Social relations), older age (Social relations), and lack of social support (in the Physical, Psychological, Social Relations, and Environmental domains). Conclusion and implications for the practice: Older age, exclusive work in private institutions, being a suspected case of COVID-19, withdrawing from professional practice due to COVID-19, and lack of social support were associated with lower quality of life of nursing professionals during the pandemic

Objetivo: Identificar factores asociados a la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los profesionales de enfermería de Bahía, Brasil, durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Estudio transversal, muestreo bola de nieve, con 113 enfermeros y técnicos de enfermería. De septiembre 2020 a mayo 2021, en formulario electrónico, fueron recolectadas informaciones sociodemográficas, ocupacionales, epidemiológicas y de calidad de vida, evaluadas por el cuestionario WHOQOL-BREF en sus dominios Físico, Psicológico, Relaciones Sociales y Medio Ambiente. Se utilizó la regresión lineal múltiple para identificar factores asociados con los dominios del WHOQOL-BREF. Resultados: Los puntajes bajos de calidad de vida se asociaron significativamente con ser un caso sospechoso de COVID-19 (en el dominio Físico); no ejercer la profesión a causa del COVID-19 (dominios Físico y Psicológico); trabajar exclusivamente en instituciones privadas (Relaciones Sociales); mayor edad (Relaciones Sociales); y no recibir apoyo social (en los dominios Físico, Psicológico, Relaciones Sociales y Medio Ambiente). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica: Mayor edad, tener vinculación exclusiva con una institución privada, ser caso sospechoso de COVID-19, no ejercer la profesión a causa del COVID-19 y no recibir apoyo social se asociaron con la baja calidad de vida de los profesionales de enfermería durante la pandemia

Síndrome metabólica em profissionais de enfermagem que atuam na assistência oncológica: prevalência e fatores associados / Síndrome metabólico en profesionales de enfermería que actúan en la asistencia oncológica: prevalencia y factores asociados / Metabolic syndrome in nursing professionals working in oncology care: prevalence and associated factors

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica e os fatores associados em profissionais de enfermagem que atuam em oncologia. Método: estudo transversal com 231 profissionais de enfermagem, de um centro de alta complexidade em oncologia do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre junho de 2013 e junho de 2015. Realizou-se entrevista para coleta de dados sociodemográficos, profissionais, antecedentes pessoais, hábitos e estilos de vida e condições de saúde. Foram realizadas medida da circunferência da cintura, peso, altura, pressão arterial casual e Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial, além da glicemia plasmática de jejum, triglicerídeos e lipoproteína de alta densidade. Avaliou-se a síndrome metabólica de acordo com a I Diretriz Brasileira de Diagnóstico e Tratamento da Síndrome Metabólica. Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foi realizada, sendo a presença da síndrome metabólica ou não o desfecho. Resultados: a prevalência da síndrome metabólica foi de 25,1% e esta condição se associou ao maior tempo de formação profissional (4,0%; IC95%:1,05-1,07), à maior pressão diastólica na Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial do período de sono (3,0%; IC95%:1,01-1,05), presença de sobrepeso (2,84%; IC95%:1,93-6,70) e obesidade (4,94%; IC95%:2,08-11,77). Conclusões: observou-se alta prevalência da síndrome metabólica nos profissionais avaliados, e associação com excesso de peso e alteração da pressão no período de sono. Os resultados apontam para necessidade de intervenções para controle de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis na população estudada.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico y los factores asociados en profesionales de enfermería que actúan en oncología. Método: estudio transversal con 231 profesionales de enfermería, de un centro de alta complejidad en oncología del Estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, entre junio de 2013 y junio de 2015. Se realizó entrevista para recolección de datos sociodemográficos, profesionales, antecedentes personales, hábitos y estilos de vida y condiciones de salud. Fueron realizadas medida de la circunferencia de la cintura, peso, altura, presión arterial casual y Monitoreo Ambulatorio de Presión Arterial, además de la glucemia plasmática de ayuno, triglicéridos y lipoproteína de alta densidad. Se evaluó el síndrome metabólico de acuerdo con la I Directriz Brasileña de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento del Síndrome Metabólico. Fue realizada Regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta, siendo la presencia del síndrome metabólico, o no, el resultado. Resultados: la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico fue de 25,1% y esta condición se asoció al mayor tiempo de formación profesional (4,0%; IC95%:1,05-1,07), a la mayor presión diastólica en elMonitoreo Ambulatorio de Presión Arterial del período de sueño (3,0%; IC95%:1,01-1,05); presencia de sobrepeso (2,84%; IC95%:1,93-6,70) y obesidad (4,94%; IC95%:2,08-11,77). Conclusiones: se observó alta prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en los profesionales evaluados, y asociación con exceso de peso y alteración de la presión en el período de sueño. Los resultados señalan la necesidad de intervenciones para el control de factores de riesgo para enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en la población estudiada.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in nursing professionals working in oncology. Method: cross-sectional study with 231 nursing professionals from a high complexity oncology center in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between June 2013 and June 2015. An interview was carried out to collect sociodemographic, professional, personal history, habits and lifestyles, and health conditions data. Waist circumference, weight, height, casual blood pressure, and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring were performed, in addition to fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein. Metabolic syndrome was evaluated according to the I Brazilian Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed, the outcome being the presence or not of metabolic syndrome. Results: there was a 25.1% prevalence of metabolic syndrome and this condition was associated with longer professional training (4.0%; 95%CI: 1.05-1.07), with higher diastolic pressure in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring during sleep (3.0%; 95%CI:1.01-1.05), overweight (2.84%; 95%CI:1.93-6.70), and obesity (4.94%; IC95%: 2.08-11.77). Conclusions: there was a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the evaluated professionals, and an association between excess weight and changes in pressure during sleep. The results point to the need for interventions to control risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases in the studied population.