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Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of circadian rhythm stability and amplitude on musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and work–family conflict among nurses. Design: This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 386 nurses working in three hospitals, in Shahroud, Iran. Method: The data were collected using the Circadian Rhythm Inventory, Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Carlson Work‐Family Conflict questionnaires. Results: The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was reported in the lower back (68.4%), upper back (65.5%) and shoulders (53.6%), respectively. No significant relation was found between circadian rhythm stability and amplitude, and musculoskeletal disorders prevalence. The nurses who could not overcome drowsiness reported more Work Interference with Family (WIF), Family Interference with Work (FIW) (time‐based) and FIW (strain‐based) compared to the nurses who overcame drowsiness. In addition, the appropriate nurses for shift work experienced less WIF, FIW (behavioural‐based) and WIF (strain‐based) compared to the nurses who could not work overtime or at night. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a growing interest in assessing the condition and quality of life in older adult population, and factors contributing to it. In this context, fear of falling syndrome is introduced as one of the main factors that can affect the quality of life in the general adult population. However, little is known about the relationship between fear of falling and other disorders in older adults, particularly among the Middle East population. Here we investigated the associations between fear of falling and anxiety and depression disorders. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic variables and physical health condition. Subsequently, fear of falling and anxiety and depression scales were assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale International and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, respectively. Our results highlighted the high risk of having anxiety and depression disorders among older adults. The findings also indicate that physical and mental health disorders play a significant role in incident fear of falling. Therefore, improving mental health might lend controlling fear of falling syndrome, which then preventing falls incident and subsequent injury in older adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the relation between the circadian rhythm amplitude and stability, and occupational stress with burnout syndrome and job dissatisfaction among shift working nurses. Background: Irregular shift working nurses are prone to burnout syndrome (BS) and job dissatisfaction (JD). circadian rhythm difference and occupational stress might be effective in causing burnout syndrome and dissatisfaction. Design: In total, 684 nurses who worked in four teaching hospitals were selected by stratified random sampling in a cross‐sectional design based on STROBE guidelines. Methods: The data were collected by the Circadian Type Inventory, Job Content Questionnaire, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Multiple linear regression, one‐way ANOVA and independent t test were used for statistical analysis by SPSS v24. Results: About 15% of the nurses suffered from high levels of burnout syndrome. Psychological demand (β = 0.022, CI 95% = 0.003‒0.047 and β = 0.016, CI 95% = 0.001‒0.032) and workplace support (β = −0.043, CI 95% = −0.097–0.003 and β = −0.025, CI 95% = −0.046–0.006) were significant predictors of BS and JD. Male nurses reported lower BS and higher JD compared to female nurses. Irregular shift working schedule was also related to a significantly higher odd of BS (p = 0.009) and JD (p = 0.011). Nurses classified as languid experienced significantly more BS and JD than vigorous nurses. Conclusion: This study shows that BS and JD were strongly associated with psychological demand and workplace support; and vigorous nurses were less prone to BS and JD, and were more suitable for irregular shift work. Relevance to clinical practice: In order to reduce burnout syndrome and job dissatisfaction among irregular shift working nurses, we need to identify the effect of risk factors such as individual differences on the circadian rhythm and job demand which can affect nurses who work in irregular schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Quality of Working Life (QWL) is a vital concept in the employees' life which can confirm the efficiency of the organisation and job satisfaction of employees. Aim: The present study investigated the interactive effects of background variables (job and demographic characteristics) and workload parameters on the Work-Related Quality of Life (WRQoL) among nurses working in highly complex hospital units (ICU, CCU and Emergency). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017, among all male and female volunteer nurses (n=840). For this purpose, NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and WRQoL were used. A general questionnaire was also used to collect the job and demographic information of nurses. The statistical analyses were performed through MANOVA, tests between-subject's effects, Box's M, pair-wise comparisons, Bonferroni method, and multiple regression. Results: The findings indicated that the difference in mean score of WRQoL was statistically significant in all groups of the studied background variables except gender and Body Mass Index (BMI). The relationship between the variables of age, work experience, and the number of patients per shift and scores of work-related quality of life was statistically significant. Also, based on the results of multivariate regression analysis, the variables of overtime hours, the number of patients per shift, age, and the level of workload remained in the regression model and their coefficients of influence were estimated -43%, -23%, -19%, and -15%, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated the simultaneous effect of the studied variables on the nurses' WRQoL. Of these, the variables of overtime hours, the number of patients per shift, age, and workload level were finally kept in the regression model to explain the most percentage of changes in the WRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working at height has always been considered as one of the most dangerous industrial activities. Workers' fitness including their physical and psychological ability plays a key role in prevention of occupational accidents. This research was conducted to investigate the physical and mental fitness of telecommunication tower climbers as well as their job stress. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of a contracting company which worked in the field of telecommunication tower installation in Iran during 2016. Sixty out of 93 workers voluntarily participated in this study. Data collection tools were the Persian version of the Work Ability Index (WAI), the Persian version of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Stress Indicator Tool and an author-developed measure to assess socio-demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed through statistical tests such as independent t-test, univariate analyses of variance (ANOVAs), Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression; using SPSS 1 9 software. Results: Workers' mean ± SD WAI score was 29.17± 10.33 and for work-related stress was 3.08 ± 1.80. There was a significant relation between WAI and educational level, job tenure, hours of sleep per day, regular exercise, and second job. The repression modeling explained 67.4% of the total variance (adjusted R2) 0f the WAI score. Among the dimensions of work related stress, control (β = 0.21) and changes (β = -0. 40) were significant predictors of the WAI score. Conclusions: To improve the worker's work ability, intervention programs should focus on promoting level of job control, sleep quality and exercise. Additionally, implementing a comprehensive macroergonomics and participatory program for increase involvement the workers in organization changes should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-frequency noise generated by wind turbines is known as one of the risk factors for health. The aim of this study was to study the noise effect of wind turbine on the general health of staff at Manjil wind farm. For this purpose, workers were divided into three groups: maintenance, security, and office staff. Equivalent sound levels were measured for each group. Individual's health data were assessed using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple regression tests were used for data analysis in the R software. Statistical analysis results showed that the noise exposure is significantly correlated to all sub-scales of general health, except for depression. The low-frequency noise from wind turbines can cause harmful effects on the health of workers that are too close to the wind turbine and receive very intense noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]