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Excessive occupational exposure to noise results in a well-recognized occupational hearing loss which is prevalent in many workplaces and now it is taken as a global problem. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and associated factors among workers in the Bishoftu Central Air Base in Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 central air base workers through face-to-face interviews, an environment noise survey, and an audiometric test for data collection. Data were entered by Epi-data version 3.1 and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Finally, a statistical analysis such as descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis was applied. A P-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and hearing impairments was 24.6 and 30.9%, respectively. The highest prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was recorded for workers who were exposed to noise levels greater than 90 dBA. Out of 132 workers exposed to the average noise level of 75 dB A, only 5% of workers were affected with noise-induced hearing loss, while 128 workers exposed to an average noise level equal to or greater than 90 dB A, 19.6% of workers were identified with noise-induced hearing loss. Regarding sex, around 21.9% of male workers were identified with noise-induced hearing loss. Workers who were exposed to a high noise level workplace previously or before the Central Air Base workplace were five times (AOR = 5.0, 95% CI 1.74–14.36) more likely affected by noise-induced hearing loss than those workers not previously exposed. Those workers who were exposed to greater or equal to 90dBA noise level were 4.98 times (AOR = 4.98, 95% CI 2.59–9.58) more likely to be exposed to noise-induced levels than those who were exposed to less than 90dBA noise level. Moreover, male air base workers were 3.5 times more likely exposed to hearing impairment than female workers (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.01–12.0). This study identified that the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss and hearing impairments was significantly high. So implementation of a hearing conservation program, giving noise education, and supplying adequate hearing protective devices (HPDs) are essentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Workers' health can be influenced by risk factors from their family environments as well as their work environments. This paper sought to examine how the association between long working hours and depressive symptoms differs based on the level of FWC after being stratified by worker's gender. Methods: We used the dataset of 20,384 full-time wage workers from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020). Long working hours were defined as working 52 h or more per week. FWC was measured using a 2-item questionnaire, and depressive symptoms were measured using the WHO-5 well-being index. Applying modified Poisson regression, we evaluated how the association between long working hours and depressive symptoms differs by the level of FWC male and female workers separately. Results: In the analysis of the female workers, long working hours were associated with depressive symptoms in the high FWC group (PR 1.35, 95% CI 1.17, 1.55) after adjusting for potential confounders whereas no association was observed in the low FWC group. Among the male workers, a statistically significant association was observed in both high FWC (PR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07, 1.38) and low FWC (PR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12, 1.47) groups. Conclusion: FWC may act as a workplace stressor that potentially amplifies the health impact of long working hours among female workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, only a few comprehensive studies have validated analytical heat stress indices in different conditions. The present study aims to investigate the validity of these indicators in predicting the physiological parameters of workers. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 194 male employees working in warm environments. First, demographic information was collected. After participants rested for 30 min, their heart rate and tympanic temperature were measured. The subjects then performed their routine tasks. At the end of 90 min, their heart rate and tympanic temperature were again measured. Additionally, their metabolism rate and clothing thermal insulation were estimated. Environmental parameters were also measured at 30-, 60-, and 90-min time points. Additional information required to compute the indices was recorded. Then, the values of each of the indices were computed. Finally, the validity of the indices was assessed under different conditions. The results indicated that the highest regression coefficients with tympanic temperature were assigned to modified physiologically equivalent temperature (mPET) (0.7515), predicted heat strain (PHS) (0.7201), and predicted mean vote (PMV) (0.7082), index, respectively. Also, the greatest regression coefficients with heart rate belonged to mPET (0.7773), PMV (0.7624), and PHS (0.6479) index, respectively. Based on the results, the highest diagnostic accuracies of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for tympanic temperature were related to indices of mPET, PHS, and PMV with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.945, 0.931, and 0.930, respectively. Of the studied indices, it was observed that mPET, PHS, PMV, and PPD showed more validity compared to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort are due to repetitive, unnatural, continuous movements and postures. Yoga therapy is beneficial for pain and disability in occupational settings. The current study aims to investigate the effect of yoga on musculoskeletal pain, stress, and sleep quality among industry workers. Methodology: The study was conducted as a parallel randomized controlled open-label trial. An allocation ratio of 1:1 was followed for randomization. A health survey was used to recruit 90 male workers in machinery manufacturing industries from Bengaluru. A specially designed yoga module was administered five days a week for eight weeks to yoga group. The waitlisted control group received lifestyle suggestions. Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered at baseline, at the fourth week and eighth weeks. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA) was conducted to elicit the group*time interactions. Results: Ninety participants (Yoga = 45, Control = 45) with age 40.57 ± 6.85 were randomized. Significant interactions were found in CMDQ, VAS, PSS and PSQI scores. Further, between group comparison demonstrate significant difference between the groups at the end of 8 weeks for CMDQ, VAS and PSS scores. Conclusions: Yoga can be used to reduce musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, perceived stress and improve sleep quality among industry workers. Trial registration number: CTRI/2022/03/040894. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure causes various health problems associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. However, the lifestyles of individuals exposed to SHS have not been characterized extensively. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between SHS exposure and lifestyle behaviors. The participants were 2379 healthy male employees at Osaka University who underwent health examinations. Physical and biochemical parameters and lifestyle behavior data were obtained from all the participants. Participants with SHS exposure had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and serum levels of triglycerides and uric acid than that of those without SHS exposure. SHS exposure was significantly correlated with several lifestyle behaviors, including TV time, frequency of breakfast consumption and fried food consumption, vegetable and fruit intake, alcohol consumption frequency and daily alcohol intake, and smoking status. Thus, SHS exposure may be associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. The lifestyle behaviors of the smoke-excluded population were assessed further; however, SHS exposure was still associated with dietary and drinking habits. Since participants with SHS exposure are likely to have an unhealthy life and combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, the confounding effect of these factors should be considered when assessing the impact of SHS exposure on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated the association between occupational physical activity (OPA) and resting blood pressure in a cohort of Swedish construction workers. Methods: The final sample included 241,176 male construction workers. Occupations with low OPA were foremen and white-collar workers. The most frequent occupations in the medium OPA group were electricians, pipe workers, and machine operators, and in the high OPA group woodworkers, concrete workers, and painters. Results: Mixed effects models showed higher systolic and lower diastolic blood pressure with higher OPA, but the associations varied depending on the year of participation and participant age as shown by significant interaction terms (OPA*age, OPA*calendar year, age*calendar year). Age-stratified linear regression analyses showed a pattern of slightly higher systolic (1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–1.90 mmHg) and lower diastolic (0.89, 95% confidence interval: 0.65–1.13 mmHg) blood pressure when comparing low with high OPA, but not among the oldest age groups. Conclusion: Despite a rather large contrast in OPA, the differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure according to OPA were small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is achieved when policies are effectively implemented to foster the well-being of all. Research on equality has generally focused on women's empowerment as the foundation of empowering a nation. Similarly, there has been increased attention given to working with men in gender equality. However, researchers have not considered these two lines of thought side by side to achieve sustainable development. We examine the relationship between gender equality and development by empirically identifying country-specific factors that are associated with the level of gender equality over time for a sample of 44 African countries. Using trend analysis, we find a linear relationship between male and female inclusion in economic participation and opportunity. In particular, the empirical findings suggest that among the socio-economic, infrastructural, and governance-related factors, income, rural revitalization, mobile subscription, fixed telephone subscription, and rule of law are important factors in explaining the level of gender balance. In contrast, we find that unemployment positively impacts gender equality. We associate this outcome with the role expansion theory. These findings support debate in the literature that when economies grow, they stand better chances of fostering gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure causes various health problems associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. However, the lifestyles of individuals exposed to SHS have not been characterized extensively. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between SHS exposure and lifestyle behaviors. The participants were 2379 healthy male employees at Osaka University who underwent health examinations. Physical and biochemical parameters and lifestyle behavior data were obtained from all the participants. Participants with SHS exposure had significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and serum levels of triglycerides and uric acid than that of those without SHS exposure. SHS exposure was significantly correlated with several lifestyle behaviors, including TV time, frequency of breakfast consumption and fried food consumption, vegetable and fruit intake, alcohol consumption frequency and daily alcohol intake, and smoking status. Thus, SHS exposure may be associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. The lifestyle behaviors of the smoke-excluded population were assessed further; however, SHS exposure was still associated with dietary and drinking habits. Since participants with SHS exposure are likely to have an unhealthy life and combined unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, the confounding effect of these factors should be considered when assessing the impact of SHS exposure on health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the annual rate of NIHL in Israel, a modern economy with relatively low industrial hazardous noise exposure. To review international protocols of hearing surveillance. To recommend an effective, efficient, hearing screening frequency protocol. Methods: A historical cohort study was conducted. Audiometric surveillance data from the Jerusalem occupational medicine registry of male employees in various industries from 2006 to 2017 were used. Mean individual annual threshold shifts simulating 1–8 checkup interval years were calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to assess the interval in which the slope of the calculated ATS variability moderates significantly. Results: A total of 263 noise-exposed workers and 93 workers in the comparison group produced 1913 audiograms for analysis. Among the noise-exposed workers, using the 1–4 kHz average, threshold shifts stabilized from 3 years onwards at around 1 dB per year in all age groups and 0.83 dB in the stratum younger than 50 years. No enhanced decline was detected in the first years of exposure. Conclusion: Although most countries conduct annual hearing surveillance, hearing threshold shifts of noise-exposed workers become more accurate and show less variability when calculated at 3-year checkup intervals onwards than shorter intervals. Since margins of errors of the test method are much larger than the annual shift found, screening schedule that enables each subsequent test to identify a real deterioration in hearing is necessary. Triennial audiometric screening would be a better surveillance frequency for noise-exposed workers younger than 50 years of age in the category of 85–95 dBLAeq,8 h without other known risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cost–benefit decision-making, women and men often show different trade-offs. However, surprisingly little is known about sex differences in instrumental tasks, where physical effort is exerted to gain rewards. To this end, we tested 81 individuals (47 women) with an effort allocation task, where participants had to repeatedly press a button to collect food and money tokens. We analyzed the motivational phases of invigoration and effort maintenance with varying reward magnitude, difficulty, and reward type. Whereas women and men did not differ in invigoration, we found that women showed higher effort maintenance as well as higher subjective wanting and exertion ratings for small rewards compared with men. Notably, men increased their effort more than women for higher rewards to match women's levels of performance. Crucially, we found no sex differences depending on reward type or difficulty, indicating that sex differences were specific to the encoding of the magnitude of benefits, not costs. To summarize, women exerted higher physical effort for small rewards, which corresponded with an elevated subjective value in women compared with men. Therefore, sex differences in perceived reward magnitude may contribute to differential behavioral preferences highlighting the potential of cost–benefit decision-making to provide insights about potential mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weakened circadian activity rhythms (CARs) were associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the general population. However, it remains unclear among pneumoconiosis patients. We aimed to address this knowledge gap. This cross-sectional study comprised 186 male pneumoconiosis patients (71.3 ± 7.8 years) and 208 healthy community men. Actigraphy was used to determine CARs parameters (percent rhythm, amplitude, MESOR, and acrophase). Values below the corresponding medians of the CARs parameters represented weakened CARs. The Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE) was used to assess cognitive function, MCI, and the composite outcome of MCI plus cognitive impairment. Compared with the community referents, pneumoconiosis patients had worse cognition and dampened CARs. Compared with the community referents or pneumoconiosis patients with robust circadian rhythm, pneumoconiosis patients with weakened circadian rhythm were consistently associated with increased risk of MCI and the composite outcome. However, significant association was only observed between MESOR and the composite outcome (adjusted OR = 1.99, 95%: 1.04–3.81). A delayed phase of CARs was insignificantly associated with MCI and the composite outcome. Our findings showed that weakened CARs were associated with worse cognitive function among male pneumoconiosis workers. Intervention in improving CARs may mitigate cognitive deterioration in male pneumoconiosis workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masculinity contest culture (MCC), which refers to a dysfunctional organizational culture, is correlated with more frequent interpersonal mistreatment (e.g., sexual harassment and bullying) and lower levels of occupational and psychological well-being. The present cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of Chinese working women (N = 694) investigated the mediating role of interpersonal mistreatment in the association between MCC and psychological well-being, as well as potential individual and organizational moderators. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that organizational tolerance for sexual harassment (OTSH) and targets' position in the organization moderated the links between MCC and interpersonal mistreatment. Specifically, the association between MCC and sexual harassment experiences was stronger when women held higher positions in organizations with greater OTSH. While OTSH also strengthened the association between MCC and bullying, position in the organization was not correlated with bullying and did not moderate the link between MCC and bullying. The results also provided evidence for the indirect effects of MCC on psychological well-being via sexual harassment and bullying; these indirect effects were larger via bullying than sexual harassment. Our findings demonstrate the importance of organizational culture and climate for women's well-being and may inform recommendations for promoting a climate of respect and justice in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf-cutting ants (genera Acromyrmex, Amoimyrmex and Atta) are the most important generalist herbivores in the Neotropical Region. The subspecies of Acromyrmex subterraneus are morphologically similar but differing from the other species of this genus. Acromyrmex subterraneus complex may be three non-described leaf-cutting ant species. The taxonomic revision of Acromyrmex subterraneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and of three of its subspecies, A. s. brunneus Forel 1911, A. s. molestans Santschi (1925) and A. s. subterraneus Forel 1893 was made based on its workers and male morphology and genome sequencing with mt-COI and mt-COII. Acromyrmex molestans stat. n., Acromymex brunneus stat. n. and Acromyrmex subterraneus stat. n. are here raised to species. The results of this study contribute to the taxonomic knowledge and reaffirm the complex evolutionary history of leaf-cutting ants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health status of healthy decontamination workers employed after the Fukushima nuclear disaster remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among such workers. In this observational study, questionnaires on lifestyle and social factors were administered as part of a health promotion program for decontamination workers in 2016 in Minamisoma City, Fukushima. The questionnaires and health check-up results were compared with those of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in Japan. Overall, 123 male decontamination workers were enrolled; 93 (75.6%) were drinkers, and 84 (68.3%) were current smokers. The age-adjusted prevalence (95% confidence interval) of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity were 27.2% (20.1–34.4%), 30.4% (22.6–38.2%), 11.3% (5.5–17.1%), and 49.0% (39.0–58.9%), respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence in the NHANES were 32.8% (31.1–34.5%), 16.1% (14.5–17.6%), 7.0% (6.2–7.7%), and 31.2% (29.9–32.5%), respectively. The prevalence of obesity, dyslipidemia, binge drinking, and smoking were higher in healthy male decontamination workers than in the general population. Decontamination workers in disaster-struck areas may have higher risks of developing non-communicable diseases, possibly due to their original health status. Continuous monitoring of their health status and proper interventions are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Nine bladder cancer (BCa) cases were reported among aromatic amine-exposed male workers at a factory manufacturing organic dye/pigment intermediates in Japan. We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of aromatic amine-exposed workers by cross-sectional observation, and the risk of BCa by assessing the standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Methods: In the cross-sectional study, our subjects were: 9 BCa patients, 36 aromatic amine-exposed non-patients, and 79 non-exposed workers from 3 factories. We evaluated the subjects' medical history, urinalysis, qualitative determination of nuclear matrix protein 22, and urinary cytology. For SIR assessment, 98 aromatic amine-exposed workers from 1 factory were included, and the Japanese general male population was used as a referent population. Since no direct aromatic amine-exposure data were available, we calculated surrogate exposure levels using information on job sites, exposure potency, and duration. Results: Coexistent aromatic amines were ortho-toluidine (OT), aniline, para-toluidine, ortho-anisidine, 2,4-xylidine, and ortho-chloroaniline. The prevalence rates of cystitis and bladder lesion-related symptoms in both BCa patients and aromatic amine-exposed non-patient workers were significantly higher than those of non-exposed workers. Overall, the SIR for BCa in OT-exposed workers was 56.8 (95% CI 27.7–104.3) and apparent dose–response relationships were revealed between the SIR and the surrogate exposure level in the 0–10-year lagged analyses. Overall, SIRs in other aromatic amine-exposed workers were also significantly high but no or unclear dose–response relationships were observed. Conclusions: We conclude that OT may be responsible for the increased risk of BCa. Regular monitoring of bladder lesion-related symptoms is essential for the early identification of BCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This cross-sectional study determined whether acute sensory irritative or (sub)chronic inflammatory effects of the eyes, nose or respiratory tract are observed in employees who are exposed to naphthalene at the workplace. Methods: Thirtynine healthy and non-smoking male employees with either moderate (n = 22) or high (n = 17) exposure to naphthalene were compared to 22 male employees from the same plants with no or only rare exposure to naphthalene. (Sub)clinical endpoint measures included nasal endoscopy, smell sensitivity, self-reported work-related complaints and the intensity of naphthalene odor and irritation. In addition, cellular and soluble mediators in blood, nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and induced sputum (IS) were analysed. All measurements were carried out pre-shift on Monday and post-shift on Thursday. Personal air monitoring revealed naphthalene shift concentrations up to 11.6 mg/m3 with short-term peak concentrations up to 145.8 mg/m3 and 1- and 2-naphthol levels (sum) in post-shift urine up to 10.1 mg/L. Results: Acute sensory irritating effects at the eyes and upper airways were reported to occur when directly handling naphthalene (e.g., sieving pure naphthalene). Generally, naphthalene odor was described as intense and unpleasant. Habituation effects or olfactory fatigue were not observed. Endoscopic examination revealed mild inflammatory effects at the nasal mucosa of exposed employees in terms of reddening and swelling and abnormal mucus production. No consistent pattern of cellular and soluble mediators in blood, NALF or IS was observed which would indicate a chronic or acute inflammatory effect of naphthalene in exposed workers. Conclusions: The results suggest that exposure to naphthalene induces acute sensory irritative effects in exposed workers. No (sub)chronic inflammatory effects on the nasal epithelium or the respiratory tract could be observed under the study conditions described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study explored the association between occupational categories and muscle strength using handgrip strength (HGS) while considering sociodemographic and health-related factors in Korean men using a national survey. Methods: Using cross-sectional data of 8380 men (59.9 ± 16.6 years of age), the occupational categories held the longest duration and HGS levels (normal vs. weak) were determined. Logistic regression was applied with adjustment for sociodemographic factors, work-related factors (working hours and schedule), and health-related factors (physical activity, sedentary time, resistance exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking status, chronic illness, subjective health status, weight category, metabolic syndrome, and protein intake). Results: Weak HGS prevalence was lowest in male managerial or professional workers (1.5%) and highest in male skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, or craft and the related trades workers (16.4%). Compared to male managerial or professional workers, the odds for weak HGS increased in male service/sales workers (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.45–3.99) and male manual workers [agricultural/forestry/fishery/craft and related trades workers, OR 2.94 (95% CI 1.78–4.83); equipment/machine operating/assembling workers, OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.05–2.71); and elementary workers, OR 3.43 (95% CI 1.95–6.05)] in the fully adjusted model. Regardless of age groups, income, working hours, strength exercise, and sedentary time levels, and chronic illness and metabolic syndrome status, male manual workers were more likely to have weak HGS compared to male non-manual workers. Conclusion: Male manual workers may have a higher risk for weak muscle strength compared to male non-manual workers regardless of sociodemographic, work-related, and health-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and ability to meet different work requirements among adult working men with or without current depressive symptoms. Methods: We measured LTPA with the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Work Ability Index (WAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess the work ability and depression of 921 Finnish employed male volunteers. Participants were divided into three groups according to the WAI for their work requirements: mental (MENT), physical (PHYS), and an equal amount of mental and physical work (BTH). Results: When adjusted for age, BMI and employment years, there was a significant difference in weekly LTPA between WAI groups {p = 0.003, [F (2902) = 5.58]}, but not for depression. It appeared that participants with depressive symptoms scored lower WAI in each group regardless of LTPA. In addition, a linear relationship was found between higher LTPA and WAI in nondepressed workers in the PHYS [p = 0.011, β = 0.10 (95% CI 0.03–0.18)] and BTH [p = 0.027, β = 0.19 (95% CI 0.03–0.34)] groups. Among workers with depressive symptoms, similar linearity was found in BTH [p = 0.003, β = 0.20 (95% CI 0.03–0.55)]. In group-wise comparison, work requirements {p = 0.001, [F (2902) = 11.2]} and depressive symptoms {p < 0.001, [F (1902) = 177.0]} related with lower WAI. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms were associated with lower work ability regardless of the job description. Therefore, higher levels of weekly LTPA was linked with better work ability among nondepressed working men. Workers with depressive symptoms in jobs that require extensive mental or physical work might need more than exercise to improve work ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Following an exploratory approach, we examined cardiovascular disease risk factors at baseline and the 5-year incidence proportion of self-reported doctor-diagnosed cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in teachers and other occupational groups of the Gutenberg Health Study. Methods: Study participants lived in the region of Mainz, Germany. Data from 6510 working participants without prevalent CVD at baseline (2007–2012) were analyzed. Participants were teachers (n = 215), other professionals from the health, social or educational (HSE) fields (n = 1061) or worked outside the HSE fields (n = 5234). For occupational comparisons, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) for each CVD risk factor at baseline with robust Poisson regression analyses. We calculated crude CVD incidence rates based on the observed 5-year CVD cumulative incidence at follow-up and estimated age-weighted incidence proportions. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: Male non-HSE workers showed a higher prevalence of smoking and physical inactivity than male teachers (PR 2.26; 95%-CI: 1.06–4.82/PR 1.89; 95%-CI: 1.24–2.87). In contrast, non-HSE workers and other HSE professionals were less likely to have reported an unhealthy alcohol intake than teachers. Differences were attenuated after SES-adjustment. We did not detect occupational group-specific differences in CVD incidence. However, there were only two cases of CVD among the teachers. Conclusion: Particularly male teachers showed a healthier lifestyle regarding physical inactivity and smoking. Nevertheless, occupational-medical care practitioners and researchers need to be aware of the relatively heightened prevalence of unhealthy alcohol intake in female and male teachers, and in absolute terms, the high hypertension prevalence in male teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Clinicians need to know whether inguinal hernia (IH) can be attributed to work to answer questions regarding prevention and medical causation. This review describes whether work-related risk factors are associated with IH. Methods: A systematic review was performed in Medline via PubMed until February 3rd, 2020. Inclusion criteria were that IH was diagnosed by a clinician, and workers exposed to work-related risk factors were compared to workers less exposed or not at all. A quality assessment and a meta-analysis using Cochrane's RevMan 5.3 were performed, including GRADE for quality of evidence. Results: The search resulted in 540 references. Fourteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which three were included in a meta-analysis, all three being of high quality, including 621 workers diagnosed with IH. The meta-analysis revealed significant associations with physically demanding work (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.56–3.40). Two prospective studies, including 382 and 22,926 cases revealed associations that this was true for male workers with a lateral IH that reported standing or walking for more than six hours per workday (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12–1.88) or lifting cumulative loads of more than 4000 kg per workday (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.27–1.38). The level of certainty for the latter two work-related risk factors was moderate and high according to GRADE. Conclusion: Lateral IH among males is associated with work-related risk factors depending on the level of exposure to the time standing/walking per workday, or the amount of load lifted per workday. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify the mechanical work of breathing (Wb) during an indoor rowing test in men and women. Additionally, to compare sex-based differences in the Wb and its components through a rowing test.Methods: Fifteen collegiate rowers were recruited (8 women/7 men) and performed a 2000 m rowing test on a rowing ergometer. Esophageal pressure was measured during exercise via balloon catheterization, after which pressure-volume curves were used to calculate total, inspiratory resistive and elastic, and total expiratory Wb.Results: Men had significantly higher values of instantaneous and cumulative total Wb at and beyond 37.5% (430.4 ± 42.5 vs. 282.1 ± 45.1 J min-1, P < 0.05) and 62.5% (1946.8 ± 150.9 vs. 1360.1 ± 197.2 J, P < 0.05) total exercise time, respectively. However, when compared at the same minute ventilation, women had higher values of total (at and above ~ 140 L min-1), inspiratory resistive (at and above ~ 120 L min-1), and inspiratory elastic (at and above ~ 135 L min-1) Wb, whereas men presented higher total expiratory Wb compared to women at any ventilation.Conclusion: Although female rowers present higher relative values of inspiratory resistive and elastic Wb, their male counterparts develop greater ventilatory efforts during a 2000 m rowing test, resulting in a larger total mechanical Wb. We interpret these findings to mean that the Wb reflects both anatomical (i.e., airways and lung sizes) and respiratory (i.e., minute ventilation) sex differences during rowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Besides mechanical loading of the back, physiological strain is an important risk factor for low-back pain. Recently a passive exoskeleton (SPEXOR) has been developed to reduce loading on the low back. We aimed to assess the effect of this device on metabolic cost of repetitive lifting. To explain potential effects, we assessed kinematics, mechanical joint work, and back muscle activity.Methods: We recruited ten male employees, working in the luggage handling department of an airline company and having ample experience with lifting tasks at work. Metabolic cost, kinematics, mechanical joint work and muscle activity were measured during a 5-min repetitive lifting task. Participants had to lift and lower a box of 10 kg from ankle height with and without the exoskeleton.Results: Metabolic cost was significantly reduced by 18% when wearing the exoskeleton. Kinematics did not change significantly, while muscle activity decreased by up to 16%. The exoskeleton took over 18-25% of joint work at the hip and L5S1 joints. However, due to large variation in individual responses, we did not find a significant reduction of joint work around the individual joints.Conclusion: Wearing the SPEXOR exoskeleton decreased metabolic cost and might, therefore, reduce fatigue development and contribute to prevention of low-back pain during repetitive lifting tasks. Reduced metabolic cost can be explained by the exoskeleton substituting part of muscle work at the hip and L5S1 joints and consequently decreasing required back muscle activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify occupations and socio-economic groups with detrimental or protective effect on suicide mortality.Methods: For every occupation and economic activity/industry, we computed directly age-standardized mortality rates (DSRs) using the age structure of the European population (2010) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for suicide using national cause-specific mortality rates. We further stratified analyses by socio-economic variables, job-skill level, and by three calendar periods (1990-1998/1999-2006/2007-2014).Results: The study sample comprised 5,834,618 participants (94,918,456 person-years). The highest DSRs were observed among unemployed/job-seeking group, in agricultural, fishery and related male workers, and in health and social activities female workers. The lowest DSRs were observed in real estate and renting, research and development, IT and other business activities in men and in agriculture, hunting and forestry industry in women. A consistent reduction in DSRs across three calendar periods was observed in men. In female corporate managers, DSRs increased over the 2007-2014 period compared with 1999-2006. Compared to general working-age population, unemployed/job-seeking people, manufacturing labourers, personal care and related workers, and motor vehicle drivers of both sexes were identified at risk of suicide. Moreover, an excess of suicide was observed among male material recording and transport clerks; nursing and midwife-associated professionals; and agricultural workers as well as among female writers and performing artists.Conclusions: The findings suggest the detrimental effect of low socioeconomic positions, including unemployment, with respect to suicide mortality and a relationship between suicide and poor psychosocial working conditions in elementary occupations. Sex-specific results need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most adults spend almost half their waking hours at work. How people feel during work can have far-reaching consequences for their quality of life. This study traces male and female workers' affective experiences at work to the gender composition of their occupations. To do this, we draw on nationally representative time diary data on affective experiences at work from the 2010, 2012, and 2013 well-being modules of the American Time Use Surveys, as well as data on occupational gender composition from the Current Population Surveys. Our analytic sample contains 5216 activity records of working at main jobs from 4486 non-self-employed workers. We find significant gender differences in the relationship between occupational gender composition and affective well-being: Working in occupations with higher percentages of male workers is associated with higher levels of unpleasantness and lower levels of meaningfulness at work for women but these associations are not significant for men. We discuss the implications of our findings for gender inequality in work-related well-being and for the stalled progress towards gender integration in occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to be associated with positive health benefits, but the role of occupational physical demands remains inconsistent. The purpose of the current study was to assess the relationship between LTPA and work ability in different occupational physical activity (OPA) levels between young adult men. Methods: We performed physical activity measurements in work and leisure time with the long version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and work ability with the Work Ability Index (WAI) in 921 Finnish employed male volunteer participants. The participants were divided into LTPA tertiles I (< 8 MET-h/week), II (8–28 MET-h/week), and III (> 28 MET-h/week) and OPA tertiles I (0 MET-h/week), II (< 64 MET-h/week), and III (≥ 64 MET-h/week). Results: There was a significant relationship between LTPA and WAI in OPA tertiles (adjusted for age, alcohol consumption, working class status, BMI, and employment years). Moreover, each LTPA tertile showed significant linear associations with WAI (P < 0.001). Conclusion: LTPA is positively associated with work ability among young adult men. More specifically, the relationships between LTPA and WAI were significantly greater in physically demanding jobs than in more passive jobs. Our results indicate the importance of LTPA, particularly with individuals under higher work-related physical strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between perceived work–life fit and subjective well-being in a large and cross-national sample (N = 15,835) of male and female employees taken from the 2012 European Quality of Life Survey. Subjective well-being is conceptualized and operationalized through a multiple-item construct, measuring flourishing and mental health, experience of positive and negative affect, and cognitive evaluations of satisfaction with life and specific life domains. Adopting a multilevel framework, we also examine whether societal gender inequality, measured with the Gender Equality Index, moderates the relationship differently for men and women. The analyses provide robust empirical evidence that, after controlling for a broad set of confounding variables at the micro and macro levels, for both men and women: (1) perceived work–life fit is associated with greater subjective well-being; (2) higher levels of gender inequality at country level result in a weaker relationship between perceived work–life fit and subjective well-being. Based on the capability and agency framework, a plausible explanation for these findings is that when gender inequality is acute perceived work–life fit may not be a key determinant of subjective well-being; for both men and women the control over material resources may matter more for subjective well-being than the possibility of combining work with engagement in other life domains. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose was to increase job-specific knowledge about individual and work-related factors and their relationship with current and future work ability (WA). We studied cross-sectional relationships between mental demands, physical exertion during work, grip strength, musculoskeletal pain in the upper extremities and WA and the relationships between these variables and WA 11 years later. Methods: We used a dataset of a prospective cohort study (1997-2008) among employees of an engineering plant ( n = 157). The cohort was surveyed by means of tests and written questions on work demands, musculoskeletal health, WA score (WAS; 0-10), and mental and physical WA. Spearman correlation coefficients and logistic regression analysis were used. Results: Among manual workers, we found weak correlations between grip strength and current and future physical WA. We did not find predictors for future poor WA among the manual workers. Among the office workers, we found that musculoskeletal pain was moderately and negatively related to current WAS and physical WA. More handgrip strength related to better future WAS and physical WA. Musculoskeletal pain (OR 1.67 p < 0.01) and lower handgrip strength (OR 0.91 p < 0.05) predicted future poor WA among office workers. Conclusions: Our results showed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between musculoskeletal health and work ability depending on occupation. However, the present implies that predicting work ability in the far future based on health surveillance data is rather difficult. Testing the musculoskeletal system (grip strength) and asking workers' about their musculoskeletal health seems relevant when monitoring work ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Blood pressure is influenced by hereditary factors and dietary habits. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of dietary salt consumption and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on blood pressure (BP). Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 2728 male participants who participated in a health examination in 2009. Average dietary salt consumption was estimated using electronically collected meal purchase data from cafeteria. A multivariate analysis, adjusting for clinically relevant factors, was conducted to examine whether the effect on BP of salt consumption, SNPs, and interaction between salt consumption and each SNP. This study examined the SNPs AGT rs699 (Met235Thr), ADD1 rs4961 (Gly460Trp), NPPA rs5063 (Val32Met), GPX1 rs1050450 (Pro198Leu), and AGTR1 rs5186 (A1166C) in relation to hypertension and salt sensitivity. Results: BP was not significantly associated with SNPs or salt consumption. The interaction between salt consumption and SNPs with systolic BP showed a significant association in NPPA rs5063 (Val32Met) ( P = 0.023) and a marginal trend toward significance in rs4961 and rs1050450 ( P = 0.060 and 0.067, respectively). Conclusion: The effect of salt consumption on BP differed by genotype. Dietary salt consumption and genetic variation can predict a high risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study was conducted to explore the mechanisms linking traffic-related air pollution and cardio-metabolic risk. Methods: The participants included 371 men and women aged from 45 to 75 in an urban residential area in Shanghai, China. The participants were divided into four categories (≤50, 51-100, 101-200 and >200 m) according to the residential distance to major road. Additionally, the personal fine particulate matter (PM) was measured from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm to assess the PM exposure in general residents. Then, the continuous subclinical measurements and biological effects related to cardio-metabolic disorders were detected. The generalized linear regression analysis was applied for estimating the adjusted hazards ratio for cardio-metabolic disorders relative to traffic-related air pollution. Results: The average personal PM is 111.1 μg/m in the participants living within 50 m to major road, which is significantly higher than the personal PM (68.2 μg/m) in the participants living more than 200 m away from the major road. The participants living within 50 m to major road compared with those living more than 200 m away have 1.15 times higher of heart rate (HR), 1.95 times higher of fasting insulin, 1.30 times higher of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), 1.56 times higher of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), 8.39 times higher of interleukin 6 (IL-6), 4.30 times higher of augmentation index (AI), 1.60 times higher of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 1.91 times higher of diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Contrary to the increase in above biological effects, there were 1.06 times lower of low frequency (LF), 1.05 times lower of high frequency (HF), 2.54 times lower of IL-10, 4.61 times lower of nitric oxide (NO), 1.19 times lower of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 1.85 times lower of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). There was no clear exposure-response relationship can be observed in the fasting glucose, LF/HF, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Conclusion: Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may contribute to the development or exacerbation of cardio-metabolic disorders. The mechanisms linking air pollution and cardio-metabolic disorders may be associated with the increased systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, reduced insulin sensitivity and elevated arterial stiffness and blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Whether night-shift work is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between night-shift work and other factors, and erosive esophagitis. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 6040 male shipyard workers was performed. Esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination and a survey about night-shift work status, lifestyle, medical history, educational status, and marital status were conducted in all workers. The odds ratios of erosive esophagitis according to night-shift work status were calculated by using the logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of erosive esophagitis increased in the night-shift workers [odds ratio, 95 % confidence interval: 1.41 (1.03-1.94)]. According to multiple logistic regression models, night-shift work, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption of ≥140 g/week were significant risk factors for erosive esophagitis. By contrast, Helicobacter pylori infection was negatively associated with erosive esophagitis. Conclusion: Night-shift work is suggested to be a risk factor for erosive esophagitis. Avoidance of night-shift work and lifestyle modification should be considered for prevention and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Self-rated health (SRH) is a well-established measure within social epidemiology. However, most studies on SRH tend to be amongst the general population, where SRH has been found to be lower in women than in men. Few studies have specifically investigated patterns of SRH just within an employed population. The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate whether there are gender differences in reporting suboptimal SRH in an employed Swedish population and (2) study whether these differences could be explained by socio-economic, work-, health- and/or lifestyle-related factors. Methods: This study is cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2008 wave of Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health, a nationally representative cohort of the Swedish working population. This study includes the responses of 9,756 employed individuals. Logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: After adjusting for age, income and working hours (full vs. part time), men had significantly higher odds of suboptimal SRH than women OR 1.38 (95 % CI 1.22-1.55). With stepwise inclusion of health factors such as long-standing disease, sleep quality and fatigue, the OR for men increased to 1.65 (95 % CI 1.44-1.89). Gender differences in reporting suboptimal SRH were attenuated to 1.29 (95 % CI 1.11-1.51) with the inclusion of lifestyle factors. However, they remained significant after inclusion of all explanatory variables. Conclusions: In contrast to findings in general population studies, our results show that men in employment have higher odds of suboptimal SRH than their female counterparts. As SRH is an important indicator of health with a strong association with mortality, an excess risk of suboptimal SRH amongst employed men shows that more attention should be paid to men's health in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of circadian rhythm disruption on cardiovascular autonomic regulation by examining potential differences in heart rate variability (HRV) between day- and night-shift workers. Methods: The study population consisted of 162 workers who worked both day and night shifts in two automobile manufacturing companies who underwent ambulatory 24-h electrocardiogram recording and completed questionnaires and sleep diaries. Both time and frequency domain indices of HRV were compared. Results: HRV parameters (mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, TP, HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) reflecting sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation varied less with activity in night-shift workers. Conclusions: Circadian rhythm-mediated changes in autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system were blunted in night-shift workers, which could contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in overnight workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the role of worker representatives (WRs) is traditionally perceived as masculine. With an increasing participation of women in the workforce, the number of female WRs grows all over Europe. WRs' main task is to negotiate on behalf of the constituency. We explore how male and female WRs perceive support from their constituency and how this perceived support is related to their negotiation behavior. We test hypotheses about the impact of gender and societal culture on perceived support and accommodating behavior in negotiations. The hypotheses are tested using a quantitative approach among 219 female and 495 male WRs in Spain and 166 female and 398 male WRs in the Netherlands. Following the research question there was no evidence indicating gender differences in accommodating behavior. Results show that a) WRs accommodate less to management in Spain than in the Netherlands; b) female WRs perceive less social support than their male counterparts in Spain, but not in the Netherlands; c) social support is negatively related to accommodating behavior only for female WRs in Spain, but not in the Netherlands. We discuss theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study examined whether traditional attitudes of female colleagues toward the male role negatively impact the psychological health of German men in non-traditional occupations and whether these relationships are mediated by social stressors at work. Traditional attitudes are presented as a threefold concept: Attitudes of female colleagues toward male anti-femininity, status, and toughness were measured. One hundred and thirteen men and 174 of their female colleagues from eastern parts of Germany and working in the healthcare and educational sectors completed hard-copy questionnaires. We used bootstrapped regression models to test for direct effects, controlling for autonomy, working hours, professional tenure, and sector of work. Bootstrapping strategies were also used for the analysis of indirect effects, even considering controls. The attitudes of female colleagues toward male anti-femininity were directly related to heightened depressive moods and lowered job satisfaction. For the attitudes of female colleagues toward male status, or male toughness we found no such direct relationships. Only indirect effects of female colleagues' attitudes toward male status, or male toughness on men's job satisfaction through social stressors were found. The study provides theoretical reasoning and empirical evidence for the importance of female colleagues' attitudes and interpersonal conflicts at work for German men in non-traditional occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research investigated factors that might affect gender discrimination in a hiring simulation context from the perspectives of social role theory and the shifting standards model. Specifically, the experimental study investigated whether gender biases are evident in the screening and hiring stage of the personnel selection process depending on the applicants' social role and evaluators' gender. A sample of German undergraduate business students (54 women, 53 men) was asked to make a personnel selection decision (short-listing or hiring) about a fictitious applicant (man or woman) in a specific role (leader or non-leader) for a managerial position. Consistent with social role theory's assumption that social role information is more influential than gender information, participants selected applicants described as leaders over applicants described as non-leaders, regardless of applicant gender. In addition, in the presence of role information, female applicants portrayed as leaders were similarly short-listed and hired as male applicants with the same credentials. In the absence of role information, female applicants were similarly short-listed as male applicants; however, male applicants were hired over female applicants, albeit by male participants only. This is consistent with the shifting standards model's assumption that group members are held to a higher standard to confirm traits on which they are perceived to be deficient: Male participants hired female applicants portrayed as non-leaders with less certainty than their male counterparts possibly due to higher confirmatory standards for leadership ability in women than men. The research and practice implications of these results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small number of previous studies using convenience samples from outside Canada, and mostly for males, show positive relationships between physical height and holding a position of authority as a manager or supervisor. The present study employs Multiple Classification Analysis to assess the generality of these patterns to a representative sample of full-time Canadian workers (2,210 males and 1,815 females) using seven alternative measures of authority status. The results for male workers, after controls, generally show significant positive relationships between height and authority status. The controlled analyses for female workers, however, do not. Additional analyses for males show height to be a comparatively strong predictor relative to other social background predictors of authority status. Alternative interpretations of the patterns of findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) results in peroxisome proliferator mediated effects in rats and mice resulting in hypolipidemia but not in monkeys. Counterintuitive modestly positive associations between PFOA and cholesterol levels in production workers have been inconsistently reported. The purpose of this assessment was to examine this association in male workers who manufactured or used PFOA at three facilities. Subjects were male employee voluntary participants of a fluorochemical medical surveillance program who provided blood samples for serum measurement of PFOA (perfluorooctanoate) and various lipid, hepatic, and thyroid parameters. Statistical analyses included multiple and logistic regression and analysis of covariance. A total of 506 employees, who did not take cholesterol-lowering medications (93% of all male participants), were analyzed. Serum PFOA concentrations ranged from 0.007 to 92.03 μg/ml [arithmetic mean 2.21 μg/ml (95% confidence interval 1.66–2.77), median 1.10 μg/ml]. Adjusted for age, body mass index, and alcohol usage in regression analyses, PFOA was not statistically significantly ( P > 0.05) associated with total cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). High-density lipoproteins (HDL) were significantly negatively ( P < 0.01) associated with PFOA for the three facilities combined but not by individual sites, indicating the overall result was likely a consequence of residual confounding due to different demographic profiles at these sites. Serum triglycerides were significantly positively associated with PFOA but not consistently by locations. There were no statistically significant associations observed between PFOA and hepatic enzymes for the three facilities combined although some modest positive associations were observed between PFOA and hepatic enzymes at one of the three facilities. Analyses of all locations showed no associations with TSH or T4 and PFOA. A negative association was observed for free T4 and positive association for T3; however, the findings were well within these assays’ normal reference ranges. There was no evidence that employees’ serum PFOA concentrations were associated with total cholesterol or LDL. A negative association with HDL was explained by demographic differences across the three locations. Several explanations are offered for the inconsistent triglyceride associations with PFOA including both methodological as well as biological possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most research on the combined effects of paid and unpaid workload has related these factors to stress, depression, and physical symptoms. Thus, comparative knowledge concerning positive aspects of human functioning, such as health and well-being and how they relate to total workload of employed women and men, is limited. Our aim in this study was to investigate how total workload including paid and unpaid work is related to psychological well-being and symptoms in full-time employed women and men. We obtained data on workload, general symptoms, and the Ryff scales covering self-acceptance, environmental mastery, positive relations, personal growth, purpose in life, and autonomy from questionnaires mailed to a stratified sample of highly educated white-collar workers aged between 32 and 58 years. Data from women (n = 430) and men (n = 400) living in partner relationships with at least one child showed that increasing hours of unpaid work was associated with decreasing levels of self-acceptance and environmental mastery in women, whereas paid work was associated with increasing levels of personal growth and decreasing levels of purpose in life. For men, paid work was associated with increasing levels of personal growth and more symptoms. We discuss factors underlying the gender-specific relationships between paid and unpaid work, psychological well-being, and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To examine a possible relationship between obesity, job stress, and eating behavior in male Japanese workers.Method:A questionnaire on life style, job stress, and eating behavior was conducted with 208 male workers aged 19–60 years (33.7±12.3 years) in a manufacturing industry in Japan. Height and weight were measured in an annual health examination. The relation between obesity, job stress, and eating behavior were analyzed between 141 nonobese subjects (BMI 24.9 kg/m2) and 67 obese subjects (BMI 25.0 kg/m2).Results:Obesity was associated with psychological stress responses of tension/anxiety, especially tension. Tension/anxiety was also related to job demands positively and job latitudes negatively. The eating behaviors of subjects with tension/anxiety resembled those of the obese subjects.Conclusions:The present study suggests that obese male Japanese workers tend to be in a stressful state from high job demands and low job latitudes in the workplace. Such stressful conditions may affect eating behaviors to eat much and contribute to obesity. Stress management might be necessary in the workplace for the prevention of obesity among male Japanese workers.International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 528–533. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803153; published online 25 October 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, an increasing number of employers have provided employment opportunities for older adults. Yet, few studies pay attention to older employees' perceptions of their employment. Using a Japanese national sample of 995 male employees aged 55 to 64, this study examined whether the existing research on organizational commitment applies to older employees, whether measures that are unique to older employees have significant relationships to their organizational commitment, and whether the effects of these factors differ by retirement status. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed significant relationships between employee organizational commitment and employment security, personal relationships in workplaces and job characteristics. Negative ageism and employer-sponsored programs for older employees also had significant relationships to organizational commitment. The effects of salary, job autonomy, job demands, and employer-sponsored programs differed by retirement status. While the study was consistent with the existing research, it also suggested the importance of measures that are unique to older employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between psychosocial factors and psychophysiological reactions to a situation including stressors and relaxation in a working population was examined. A sample of 115 working men and women aged 26–65 was used. Each participant was examined at baseline, during deep breathing, experimentally induced stress and relaxation. Heart rate, exhalation carbon dioxide, oxygen saturation and blood pressure were monitored. Significant variations across experimental conditions were observed for all physiological variables. There was a pronounced lowering of blood pressure during deep breathing. Women showed significantly more pronounced physiological variation than men. Participants with low education reacted with significantly more systolic blood pressure elevation during the stressful conditions than others. The implication of the results for therapeutic and preventive exercises with deep breathing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between important metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes in shift workers and day workers. Methods. Cross-sectional data from a sub-population in the WOLF study consisting of 665 day workers and 659 three-shift workers in two plants were analysed. Results. A higher proportion of shift workers than day workers had high triglyceride levels (≥1.7 mmol/l), low levels of HDL-cholesterol (<0.9 mmol/l) and abdominal obesity (waist/hip ratio>0.9). The risk of low HDL-cholesterol was doubled in shift workers, (odds ratio (OR): 2.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.24–3.28) after being adjusted for age, socio-economic factors, physical activity, current smoking, social support and job strain. High levels of triglycerides were also significantly associated with shift work (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.08–1.83). The OR for abdominal obesity was 1.19, (95% CI: 0.92–1.56). The prevalence of hyperglycaemia (serum glucose ≥7.0 mmol/l) was similar in day and shift workers. No significant interaction was seen between shift work and abdominal obesity with regard to the associations with triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. Conclusions. We found a significant association between shift work and lipid disturbances (i.e. low HDL-cholesterol and high triglyceride levels). We did not find any association with hyperglycaemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. In order that the occupational exposures and health risks for municipal waste incinerator operators be better determined, a study was carried out in three centres. Methods. A transversal study was carried out for 102 male incinerator workers matched for age with 94 male workers from other industrial activities. Three groups of exposed workers were considered (group 1: "crane operators" and "equipment operators"; group 2: "furnace " workers ; group 3: "maintenance" and "effluent-treatment" workers). Data were collected through a questionnaire and medical examination. The respiratory function was explored and blood samples were taken for biological analysis. Statistical analysis using chi2 or Student's test, and calculation of odds-ratio (OR) using logistic regression analysis were performed. Results. There were no significant differences in general symptoms between the two groups. Skin symptoms (OR =4.85; 2.04–11.51 for the "maintenance and effluent" workers) were more often observed in the exposed group. An excess of respiratory problems was also encountered: daily coughing ["maintenance and effluent" groups (OR =2.55; 0.84–7.75); "furnace men" (OR =6.58; 2.18–19.85)]. A significant relationship between exposure and the decrease of several pulmonary parameters was observed. The liver and haematological tests were well within the normal range; nevertheless, a slight but significant increase in the white blood cells was observed in the exposed group. Higher blood lead levels were found for exposed workers. Conclusion. There were few adverse health effects in our morbidity study but skin irritation and cough were more frequent in the exposed workers. A slight decrease in pulmonary function was observed. These findings are in agreement with those of several other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of vital exhaustion (VE) on cardiac autonomic functions in relation to working conditions such as overtime and frequent business trips, and to lifestyles such as smoking on 52 healthy middle-aged male workers. VE was evaluated by an abbreviated Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire. Cardiac autonomic function at supine rest was assessed by spectral analysis of heart rate variability in an annual health checkup. The mean amplitude of the high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz) component was lower in the high-VE group, whereas no significant difference in the ratio of the low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) component power to HF power (the LF/HF ratio) was observed among VE groups. There were significant interactive effects of VE and smoking on HF amplitude, and of VE and frequent business trips on the LF/HF ratio. VE symptoms were related to the suppression of the cardiac parasympathetic nervous function at rest in middle-aged male workers, but not to the alteration in sympathovagal balance. Smoking and overwork such as frequent business trips may amplify the autonomic dysfunction in relation to VE among workers with a pronounced feeling of VE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the original Publication of the article, the funding information was incorrectly published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to examine separately for males and females, the effects of different sources of job and life stress on the emotional and physical well-being of those individuals, and in turn on absenteeism. Results using a sample of 170 males and 204 females indicated that females experienced higher levels of job stress, absenteeism, and poorer emotional well-being. Patterns of relationships for males and females were similar, however, the data suggest that sex moderates the effects of different sources of stress on emotional and physical well-being and absenteeism. The model developed as a part of this research was more complicated for females than for males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research related to increased risks of mortality due to unemployment. Topics discussed include high mortality rate of temporary employment and unemployment male workers, a health survey showing increased suicidal ideation of temporary workers and, determining general health questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12) score associated with level of job satisfaction and mental health of employees.

This article presents statistical data on the U.S. labor force in 1995. Women aged 25 to 34 in the U.S. civilian labor force were slightly more likely than their male counterparts to be college graduates, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Men and women this age are equally likely to have master's degrees or higher. Women are more likely to hold just a bachelor's degree, 23 percent compared with 20 percent. The U.S. labor force had 4.9 million men aged 25 to 34 with at least a bachelor's degree in 1995, compared with 4.5 million women. In 1995, 12.1 million male college graduates aged 35 to 64 were in the labor force, compared with 8.7 million women. Men with college diplomas made up 31 percent of the male work force in this age group, while women made up 26 percent of the female work force.