Relationship between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality in noise-exposed workers—A mediating role of negative emotions / 环境与职业医学

Background Studies on the relationships of environmental noise exposure with negative emotions and sleep quality have long been reported. Self-perceived noise intensity is not only related to environmental noise exposure, but also reflects an individual's susceptibility to noise; however, few studies on self-perceived noise intensity, negative emotions, and sleep quality have been reported, and it is not clear whether negative emotions play a mediating role in the relationship between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality. Objective To analyze the mediating role of negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and stress) in the relationship between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality in noise-exposed workers, and to provide a scientific basis for addressing psychological problems and sleep quality induced by noise exposure. Methods Stratified cluster sampling was used to select noise-exposed workers from a large equipment manufacturing plant in Chengdu from May to June 2023, and demographic characteristics were investigated using a self-designed general information questionnaire; self-perceived noise intensity was reported by the study subjects as the noise intensity of their workplaces; sleep quality was synthesized from three indicators: night sleep duration, self-perceived sleep quality, and sleep-related symptoms; the Anxiety-Depression-Stress Scale (DASS-21 scale) was used to evaluate anxiety, depression, and stress of a worker. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the pathways of negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and stress) between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality. Results The positive rates of negative emotions were 33.1% (anxiety symptoms, 215/649), 26.0% (depression symptoms, 169/649), and 14.0% (stress symptoms, 91/649), respectively in a total of 649 noise-exposed workers. Self-perceived noise intensity was positively correlated with sleep quality score (r=0.218, P<0.001) and negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and stress) (r=0.167, 0.145, 0.167, P<0.001); sleep quality score was positively correlated with negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and stress) (r=0.512, 0.447, 0.513, P<0.001). The results of path analysis showed that the negative emotions (anxiety, depression, and stress) partially mediated between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality (β=0.123，P<0.001). Self-perceived noise intensity was positively correlated with negative emotions and sleep quality, and there was a path of self-perceived noise intensity → negative emotion → sleep quality (P<0.001), and the mediating effect accounted for 42.71%. Conclusion The positive rates of anxiety, depression, and stress are high among the noise-receiving workers in this manufacturing industry, and negative emotions characterized by anxiety, depression, and stress partially mediate the relationship between self-perceived noise intensity and sleep quality.

Path analysis on relationship among tested hearing thresholds, conscious hearing, and negative emotions in noise-exposed workers / 环境与职业医学

Background The correlation between noise exposure and negative emotions of noise-exposed workers has received increasing attention and related studies have been reported. However, there is a lack of research on the path and effect analysis of the relationship between noise exposure and negative emotions, which will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the health damage characteristics of noise in addition to hearing loss. Objective To explore the path and effects of cumulative noise exposure, tested hearing thresholds, and conscious hearing level of noise-exposed workers on negative emotions. Methods Using stratified random sampling, 312 noise-exposed workers from a machinery and equipment manufacturing enterprise were selected. Occupational history, negative emotions (including the feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression), and conscious hearing level of the workers were investigated using the Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale (DASS-21) and a self-made questionnaire. The hearing threshold of the workers was measured by pure tone air conduction audiometry. Sound level meter was used to measure noise equivalent sound level at selected work sites. Individual cumulative noise exposure was estimated based on work site noise level and personal noise exposure history. Path analysis was used to analyze potential mediating effects of workers' hearing thresholds and conscious hearing levels on the relationship between noise exposure and negative emotions (including stress, anxiety, and depression). Results The positive rates of negative emotions among the 312 noise-exposed workers were 18.27% (57/312) for stress, 46.79% (146/312) for anxiety, and 28.53% (89/312) for depression; the cumulative noise exposure ranged from 101.0 to 136.1 dB(A)·d, with an average of 125.69 dB(A)·d. The distributions of tested hearing thresholds and conscious hearing levels among the workers exposed to noise were significantly inconsistent (P<0.001), with both unweighted and weighted Kappa values less than 0.4. The percentage of workers with conscious hearing levels higher than their hearing threshold levels was 16.0%, and the percentage of workers with conscious hearing levels lower than conscious hearing levels was 38.7%. The path analysis results showed that tested hearing thresholds had no mediating effect on the relationship between cumulative noise exposure and negative emotions. There was a partial mediating effect of conscious hearing level on the relationship between cumulative noise exposure and negative emotions, with a mediating effect value of 0.06 (95%CI: 0.03, 0.11) and a mediating effect ratio of 28.57%. Conclusion Conscious hearing plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between cumulative noise exposure and negative emotions of noise-exposed workers, while tested hearing thresholds do not.

Characteristics of blood test indexes in patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis / 环境与职业医学

Background The positive rate of sputum bacteria in patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis is lower than that in patients with simple tuberculosis, which makes the disease assessment more difficult. Objective To compare the differences of blood test indexes between patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically negative and bacteriologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis, so as to provide a basis for the assessment of lesions in patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods The relevant information of 329 patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis diagnosed from 2010 to 2020 was retrospectively collected, including 260 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically negative tuberculosis (B-TB) and 69 cases of pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically positive tuberculosis (B+TB). The demographic characteristics and blood test indexes of the two groups of patients were analyzed and compared, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically positive tuberculosis. Results Body mass index (BMI) was significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05), and the proportion of BMI≤18.5 kg·m−2 in the pneumoconiosis cases with B+TB was higher than those with B-TB. The levels of platelet count, fibrinogen, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and D-dimer in the pneumoconiosis cases with B+TB were higher than those in the pneumoconiosis cases with B-TB (P<0.05); the levels of mean platelet volume, hemoglobin, albumin to globulin ratio, and high-density lipoprotein in the pneumoconiosis with B+TB group were lower than that in the pneumoconiosis with B-TB group (P<0.05). The abnormal rates of other indicators except mean platelet volume, fibrinogen, and high-density lipoprotein were higher in the pneumoconiosis with B+TB group than in the pneumoconiosis with B-TB group (P<0.05). The results of multiple logistic regression showed that C-reactive protein (OR=1.006, 95%CI: 1.001-1.010), platelet count (OR=1.004, 95%CI: 1.002-1.007), and monocyte count (OR=3.461, 95%CI: 1.370-8.745) were associated with positive sputum smear in patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis (P<0.05). Conclusion Some blood test indexes show differences between pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically positive patients and pneumoconiosis complicated with bacteriologically-negative tuberculosis patients. C-reactive protein, platelet count, and monocyte count are factors associated with sputum positivity in pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis patients. Monitoring selected indicators of blood test have a certain reference value for the assessment of lesions in patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis.

The inhibition effect of miR-29c on lung fibroblasts transdifferentiation induced by SiO2 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the regulatory effect of miR-29c on the trans-differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts into myofibroblasts induced by silica dust.@*Methods@#Fibroblasts obtained from SD rat lung tissue and pulmonary macrophages (NR8383) were co-cultured to establish the silicosis cell model in vitro. And real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western Blot assays were performed to detect the altered expression level of miR-29c and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) . After that, the in vitro cell model was transfected with corresponding viruses to establish miR-29c overexpression and inhibition cell models, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA were detected simultaneously.@*Results@#Compared with control group, the expression level of miR-29c in the silicosis cell model in vitro was down-regulated significantly after 12 or 18 h exposed to SiO2, and both of the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA were up-regulated instead (P<0.05) . When transfected with corresponding viruses, the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA in the pulmonary fibroblasts were significantly up-regulated in miR-29c inhibition group and down-regulated in miR-29c overexpression group (P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#Based on the findings, it could be safely infered that the development of pulmonary fibrosis could be impeded by inhibiting transdifferentiation process of pulmonary fibroblasts into myofibroblasts regulated by miR-29c, miR-29c could be an potential therapeutic target to lung fibrosis induced by silica.

Analysis on occupational hazards monitoring and occupational health examination in a province / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To find out the status of the monitoring of production environment and physical condition of occupational victims in Sichuan in recent 5 years.@*Methods@#Data of health supervision of workers with toxic and harmful activity and occupational health examination in Sichuan Province during 2012-2016, monitoring of occupational harmful factors in Sichuan Province during 2014-2016 were collected from the Network direct reporting system. Descriptive analysis was conducted to analyze the result in May 2017.@*Results@#The detection rate of suspected occupational diseases in 23964 enterprises was 1.79% (13392/748291) . The exceeding standard rate of dust, noise, xenobiotic were 32.58% (5089/15622) , 20.28% (4897/24152) and 4.80% (1016/21145) respectively. In addition, state-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises and collective enterprises showed the highest over-standard rate of dust, noise and exogenous chemical poisons, with the over-standard rate of 69.93% (828/1184) , 29.08% (608/2091) and 11.80% (42/356) respectively. The exceeding rate of dust, noise and exogenous chemical poisons was 32.76% (740/2259) , 28.72% (444/1546) and 7.39% (114/1543) , respectively. Most of the enterprises with higher over-standard rate of dust and chemical poisons are located in Suining City, Panzhihua City, Guangyuan City and Ziyang City.@*Conclusion@#The focus of occupational hazards in Sichuan is dust and noise, followed by benzene.

The hearing self-protection behavior and internal factors of workers exposured to occupational noise / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the hearing self-protection behavior patterns and internal factors of workers exposured to occupational noise in an aircraft manufacturing industry based on health belief model, so as to provide reference for further health promotion programs and intervention measures.@*Methods@#A total of 1600 front-line workers were selected from 10 units of an aircraft manufacturing enterprise by cluster sampling method. The basic and occupational information of employees were collected, and a self-reported questionnaire was designed according to the health belief model to acquire the hearing self-protection behaviors of workers.@*Results@#There were significant differences in the perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived impairment, self-efficacy and behavioral incentive scores of different hearing self-protection behaviors among the noise-causing workers (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the distribution of hearing self-protection behaviors among different genders, ages, education levels, length of service, initial noise exposure time and cumulative noise reception time (P<0.05). The perceived benefits, perceived barriers, behavioral incentives, self-efficacy scores, and educational attainment of the noise-causing workers were all related to the type of hearing self-protection behavior (P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#The educational level and health belief model can predict the hearing self-protection behavior patterns of front-line workers to some extent, more attention should be paid to the monitoring of the well-educated employees.

Analysis of the effect of recovery experience type on regulating the relationship of occupational stress andperceptions of the work experience / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate occupational stress and perceptions of the work experience among the nurses, and to analyze the effects of recovery experiences on the adjustment of the relationship of stress and perceptions of the work experience. @*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses from 7 third hospitals in a city through sampling. A self-designed questionnaire, "Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) " , "Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ-C) " and "Quality of working life (QWL7-32) " were completed by the subjects. Establishment of recovery experience types by sample cluster analysis, combined with regression analysis in the regulation of perceptions of the work experience of recovery experiences’types. @*Results@#There have differences instatus and score of perceptions of the work experience among nurses with different tension level (P<0.05) . The Perceptions of Work Experience scores of nurses with different types of recovery experience are different with the tension level, and the type of recovery experience has an independent moderating effect on the relationship between tension and perceptions of work experience. @*Conclusion@#The moderating effects of different types of recovery experiences on perceptions of work experience are different.

Analysis of The Quality of Pneumoconiosis Network Direct Report in Sichuan during 2006-2016 / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the quality of Pneumoconiosis Network Direct Report in Sichuan Province in 2006-2016.@*Methods@#download all the pneumoconiosis report cards from the Network Direct Report system. Screen out cards based on the diagnosis time that is between January 1st 2006 and December 31st 2016. Using R 3.4.0 software to analysis the number of missing or repeated cards, time-logical error rates, timeliness, reporting year, reporting intervals to evaluate the quality of Pneumoconiosis Network Direct Report and location distribution.@*Results@#there are 38 855 pieces of Pneumoconiosis report card in total in 2006-2016. 352 pieces of cards were reported twice. 224 cards were missing. 229 cards have time-logical error. The rate of timely reporting for 2006-2016 years was 66.41% (2 5453/38 326) , 67.14% (24 658/36 726) for new cases, 58.87% (783/1 330) for promoting cases and 4.44% (12/270) for deaths. 87.38% (33 490/38 326) patients was reported in the same year. 10 days was needed to finish one report, confirming-filling cost much more time than filling-report (9.865/49.019) .@*Conclusion@#the records of pneumoconiosis report cards are much more complete, logical errors are less, and the timeliness was a little bit higher than the average level in China. But it also should be improved. The death cases are difficult to report. It takes longer to diagnose and fill in cards. Improving the timeliness rate can significantly improve the quality of network direct reporting.

Effects of Personality and Psychological Acceptance on Medical Workers' Occupational Stress / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To assess psychological acceptance and occupational stress of medical staff, analyze the relationship among personality, psychological acceptance and occupational stress and discuss the direct or indirect effects of personality to occupational stress.@*Methods@#Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-RSC) , Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-Ⅱ) and Revised Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI-R) were administered to 749 medical staff.@*Results@#The level of occupational stress of medical staff was high, the score of PSY was 26.8±7.13 and the score of PHS was 24.3±6.50. Personality and psychological acceptance can predict occupational stress. Psychological acceptance was a protective factor of occupational stress. Medical staff with personality of introversion, neuroticism and psychoticism suffered higher occupational stress. Personality have both direct and indirect effects on occupational stress. Neuroticism have the strongest effect on occupational stress with effect size of 0.496 (psychological stress) and 0.431 (physical strain) .@*Conclusion@#Medical staff have heavier occupational stress. There is a significant correlation between personality and occupational stress. Measures depending on personality should be taken to deal with this situation.

Relationship of job stress with job burnout and quality of work life in workers for offshore oil platforms / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the current status of job burnout and qual ity of work life (QWL) in workers for offshore oil platforms, and to analyze the relationship of job stress with job burnout and QWL and the direct and indirect effects of job stress on QWL.@*Methods@#Cluster random sampling was used to select 382 work-ers for 8 oil platforms of China National Offshore Oil Corporation in October 2015. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the individual characteristics of subjects. The Quality of Work Life Scale (QWL7-32) , Occupa-tional Stress Inventory-Revised Edition (OSI-R) , and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) were used to investigate the QWL, job stress, and job burnout of subjects.@*Results@#Among all the workers for offshore oil platforms, 87.2% had mild job burnout. The total QWL score was 116.01 ± 16.73; 8.3% of the workers had poor QWL, and 68.5% had moderate QWL. QWL was reduced with heavier task, vaguer task, and increasing mental stress and physical stress (P<0.05) , and increased with more social support (P<0.05) . Job stress had di-rect and indirect effects on QWL; stress reaction had the most effect on QWL (total effect size -0.509) , followed by social support (total effect size 0.444) .@*Conclusion@#Most workers for offshore oil platforms have mild job burn-out and moderate QWL. Job stress is associated with job burnout and QWL, and stress reaction and social support have relatively high influence on QWL.

Relationship between occupational stress, recovery experience, and physiological health of nurses in a municipal grade A tertiary hospital / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To examine the relationship between recovery experience, occupational stress, and physiological health of nurses in a municipal grade A tertiary hospital.@*Methods@#A total of 296 in-service nurses from 7 municipal grade A tertiary hospitals were selected from October 2015 to February 2016. Individual characteristics of the subjects were collected using a self-made questionnaire. The recovery experience, occupational stress, and physiological health of the subjects were assessed based on the physiological health dimensions in the Chinese version of Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ-C) , Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) , and Quality of Work Life (QWL7-32) .@*Results@#The mean recovery experience score of nurses from the municipal grade A tertiary hospital was 45.04±7.72, and 51.35% of the nurses had satisfactory recovery experience. Occupational stress was identified in 81.76% of the nurses. Based on the four categories of occupational stress, 65 nurses were identified with high-strain jobs (21.95%) , 56 with relaxed (low-strain) jobs (18.92%) , 49 with passive jobs (16.55%) , and 126 with active jobs (42.57%) . In addition, the mean physiological health score of the nurses was 21.20±4.24. Physiological health was negatively correlated with occupational stress (r=-0.173, P<0.05) , but positively correlated with recovery experience (r=0.198, P<0.01) . Recovery experience was negatively correlated with occupational stress (r=-0.116, P<0.05) . Job demand was the major contributor to occupational stress, where subjects with high-demand active jobs had the poorest recovery experience (F=2.610, P<0.05) and physiological health (F=8.166, P<0.01) .@*Conclusion@#Job demand has a great impact on the occupational stress of nurses, where increased job demand can lead to stronger stress response, reduced recovery experience, and poorer physiological health.

Application and evaluation of signal strength indictor in communicable disease automatic early warning system / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of signal strength indictor (SSI) in improving sensitivity of China Infectious Diseases Automated-alert and Response System (CIDARS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diarrhea cases in 2007-2011 and early warning signals in 2010-2011 were selected by using random digital table method. Then, SSI and event-related ratio (ER) were calculated. The relationship between ER and SSI was analyzed, and the effect of SSI on ER was explored by using multiple logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>9 620 early warning signals in 2010-2011 were generated in two years. Of these, 74, or 0.77% were defined as suspected outbreak signal. The median of SSI related with suspected outbreak signal was 4.0, which was much higher than non-suspected outbreak signal (1.7). ER was significantly correlated with SSI (r=0.917). SSI classification has a good correlation between the ER, ER exceeded 20 after SSI reached 20. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed OR of SSI related with suspected outbreak signal was 2.52 (95% CI 2.04-3.12). Compared with non-epidemic season, the relationship of SSI and ER in epidemic season was much higher.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SSI was closely related with ER. The relationship was much closer in large scale outbreak and epidemic season, and compared to non-epidemic,the effect of epidemic season is more obvious.</p>

A study of relationship between occupational stress and diseases in secondary school teachers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the relationship between occupational stress and diseases in secondary school teachers in a city of Sichuan Province, and to provide a basis for the evaluation of the long-term effects of occupational stress in teachers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With secondary school teachers as the target population, the stratified cluster sampling was adopted to conduct three studies among 780, 119, and 689 secondary school teachers in a city of Sichuan Province in 1999, 2005, and 2009, respectively. The Occupational Stress Inventory-Revised Edition (OSI-R) and working ability index (WAI) were used to investigate occupational stress and diseases in secondary school teachers. The variation of occupational stress in secondary school teachers was compared between different periods and the relationship between the intensity of stress and diseases was evaluated, on the basis of which the variation of the relationship over time was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in occupational stress in secondary school teachers between different periods (P<0.05). The incidence rates of medium and high physiological stress and psychological stress were significantly higher in 2009 than in 1999 (P<0.05). Compared with the year of 1999, the intensity of occupational stress in 2009 changed with cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental diseases. The incidence of abnormal psychological stress was a risk factor for all chronic, respiratory, and mental diseases (OR: 1.88, 2.25, and 5.91). The time dependence of odds ratio was only found in the risk of respiratory diseases: occupational stress resulted in a significant increase in the risk of respiratory diseases over time (P<0.05). Physiological stress was a risk factor for mental diseases (OR=2.31).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intensity of occupational stress in secondary school teachers changes over time. Occupational stress elevates the risks of certain diseases and has a time-dependent effect on the risk of respiratory diseases. Occupational stress in secondary school teachers needs more attention and effective prevention.</p>

Analysis of posttraumatic stress disorder in rescuers and firefighters / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the occurrence and associated factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rescuers and firefighters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PTSD of 264 rescuers and firefighters who had participated in rescue was evaluated using the self-designed fireman general situation questionnaire and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). The factors associated with the occurrence of PTSD were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence rate of PTSD in the subjects was 8.3%. The PTSD rate of special service corps (12%) was significantly higher than that of other subjects (P<0.05). The incidence of PTSD was highest in the rescuers and firefighters above the third rank, but without significant differences (P>0.05). The PTSD rate of married rescuers and firefighters was significantly higher than that of unmarried subjects (P<0.05). The PTSD rate of subjects addicted to drinking was significantly higher than that of non-drinking subjects (P<0.05). Subjects with more frequent attendance were more susceptible to PTSD compared with those with less attendance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The incidence rate of PTSD is high in rescuers and firefighters who have attended rescues. It is necessary to implement both short-term and long-term counseling programs for stress management and intervention in order to reduce the psychological trauma after rescue and improve the mental health of rescuers and firefighters.</p>

A multilevel model analysis of correlation between population characteristics and work ability of employees / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the correlation between population characteristics and work ability of employees with a multilevel model, to investigate the important influencing factors for work ability, and to provide a basis for improvement in work ability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Work ability index (WAI)was applied to measure the work ability of 1686 subjects from different companies (n=6). MLwi N2.0 software was applied for two-level variance component model fitting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The WAI of employees showed differences between various companies (χ2=3.378 6, P=0.0660); working years was negatively correlated with WAI (χ2=38.229 2, P=0.0001), and the WAI of the employees with 20 or more working years was 1.63 lower than that of the employees with less than 20 working years; the work ability of manual workers was lower than that of mental-manual workers (χ2=8.2726, P=0.0040), and the work ability showed no significant difference between mental workers and mental-manual workers (χ2=2.086 0, P=0.148 7).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>From the perspective of probability, the multilevel model analysis reveals the differences in work ability of employees between different companies, and suggests that company, work type, and working years are the important influencing factors for work ability of employees. These factors should be improved and adjusted to protect or enhance the work ability of employees.</p>

Impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders on work ability among workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) on work ability among workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1686 workers in various occupations, such as administration and education, were enrolled as subjects using the random cluster sampling method. The WRMDs and work ability of all subjects were evaluated using standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms and the Work Ability Index (WAI) scale, respectively. Comparison of work ability and its classification between the disease group and the non-disease group was performed by paired t test, RxC table χ2 test, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The relationship between work duration and work ability was analyzed by the Spearman correlation test and a multi-level model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1). The work ability of workers in the disease group was significantly lower than that in the non-disease group (P<0.0 1). (2) There were significant differences in work ability between workers with different work durations (<10 years, 10-20 years, and ≥20 years) (F=22.124, P< 0.01). With the increase in work duration, the work ability of workers declined in both groups, and the work ability of workers in the disease group (Spearman coefficient rs=-0. 172, P<0.01) had a more significant decline than that in the non-disease group (Spearman coefficient rs=-0.104, P<0.01). WRMDs were important risk factors for the decrease in work ability among workers. (3) There were significant differences in constituent ratios and levels of work ability classification between the disease group and the non-disease group (χ2=121.097, P<0.01; Z=-10.699, P<0.01). The proportions of workers with poor and medium work ability in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the non-disease group, while the proportion of works with excellent work ability in the disease group was significantly lower than that in the non-disease group. The similar characteristics in constituent ratios and levels of work ability classification could be found between the disease group and the non- disease group in various occupations (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WRMDs have a harmful effect on the work ability of workers, and the work ability of workers substantially declines with the increase in exposure time (work duration).</p>

Analysis of work-related fatigue characteristics and its influencing factors in scientific and technical personnel / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the current status and characteristics of work-related fatigue among scientific and technical personnel and its associated factors, and to provide a scientific basis for further interventions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the staff from a single scientific institution, using a self-administered questionnaire. Basic information of participants, Fatigue Scale-14, and Job Content Questionnaire were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of work-related fatigue among the scientific and technical personnel was 54.6%; work-related fatigue was positively correlated with occupational stress (rs = 0.384, P < 0.05). Significant differences in the scores, proportions, and types of fatigue were found between different types of occupational stress. The associated factors of work-related fatigue included occupational stress profiles, social support, and educational status. A higher risk of work-related fatigue was found in the staff under high stress, compared with those under low stress (OR = 8.5, 95%CI = 3.9∼18.7). Social support served as a protective factor for work-related fatigue, while a higher level of education was correlated with more severe work-related fatigue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Work-related fatigue is common and serious among scientific and technical personnel, especially in those under high stress. Effective interventions according to occupational stress are of great importance to reduce work-related fatigue.</p>

Effects of mental workload on work ability in primary and secondary school teachers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the change pattern of primary and secondary school teachers' work ability with the changes in their mental workload.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 901 primary and secondary school teachers were selected by random cluster sampling, and then their mental workload and work ability were assessed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaires, whose reliability and validity had been tested. The effects of their mental workload on the work ability were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Primary and secondary school teachers' work ability reached the highest level at a certain level of mental workload (55.73< mental workload ≤ 64.10). When their mental workload was lower than the level, their work ability had a positive correlation with the mental workload. Their work ability increased or maintained stable with the increasing mental workload. Moreover, the percentage of teachers with good work ability increased, while that of teachers with moderate work ability decreased. But when their mental workload was higher than the level, their work ability had a negative correlation with the mental workload. Their work ability significantly decreased with the increasing mental workload (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the percentage of teachers with good work ability decreased, while that of teachers with moderate work ability increased (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Too high or low mental workload will result in the decline of primary and secondary school teachers' work ability. Moderate mental workload (55.73∼64.10) will benefit the maintaining and stabilization of their work ability.</p>

Relationship of personality with job burnout and psychological stress risk in clinicians / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the job burnout and mental health status of clinicians and the relationship of personality with job burnout and psychological stress, and to investigate the direct or indirect effects of personality on psychological stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSC), and Kessler 10 Scale were administered to 775 clinicians.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all clinicians, 29.5% had mild burnout, with a score of 22.7 ± 8.18 for psychological stress risk. The effect of personality on emotional exhaustion and cynicism was greater than that on personal accomplishment. Clinicians with a personality of introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism suffered a higher risk of psychological stress. Personality had both direct and indirect effects on psychological stress. Neuroticism had the strongest effect on psychological stress, with an effect size of 0.55.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Clinicians have a high level of both job burnout and mental psychological stress risk. Personality is significantly correlated with job burnout and psychological stress risk. Measures depending on personality should be taken for effective intervention.</p>

Analysis of effect on infectious diseases outbreak detection performance by classifying provinces for moving percentile method / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Providing evidences for further modification of China Infectious Diseases Automated-alert and Response System (CIDARS) via analyzing the outbreak detection performance of Moving Percentile Method (MPM) by optimizing thresholds in different provinces.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected the amount of MPM signals, response results of signals in CIDARS, cases data in nationwide Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System, and outbreaks data in Public Health Emergency Reporting System of 16 infectious diseases in 31 provinces in Chinese mainland from January 2011 to October 2013. The threshold with the optimal sensitivity, the shortest time to detect outbreak and the least number of signals was considered as the best threshold of each disease in Chinese mainland and in each province.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among all the 16 diseases, the optimal thresholds of 10 diseases, including dysentery, dengue, hepatitis A, typhoid and paratyphoid, meningococcal meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, scarlet fever, leptospirosis, hepatitis, typhus in country level were the 90(th) percentile (P90), which was the same as provincial level for those diseases.For the other 6 diseases, including other infectious diarrhea, influenza, acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, mumps, rubella and epidemic hemorrhagic fever, the nationwide optimal thresholds were the 80th percentile (P80), which was different from that by provinces for each disease. For these 6 diseases, the number of signals generated by MPM with the optimal threshold for each province was decreased by 23.71% (45 557), 15.59% (6 124), 14.07% (1 870), 9.44% (13 881), 8.65% (1 294) and 6.03% (313) respectively, comparing to the national optimal threshold, while the sensitivity and time to detection of CIDARS were still the same.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Optimizing the threshold by different diseases and provinces for MPM in CIDARS could reduce the number of signals while maintaining the same sensitivity and time to detection.</p>