Housework, paid work and psychiatric symptoms

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypothesis that work burden, the simultaneous engagement in paid work and unpaid family housework, is a potential risk factor for psychiatric symptoms among women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 460 women randomly selected from a poor area of the city of Salvador, Brazil. Women between 18 to 70 years old, who reported having a paid occupation or were involved in unpaid domestic activities for their families, were eligible. Work burden-related variables were defined as: a) double work shift, i.e., simultaneous engagement in a paid job plus unpaid housework; and b) daily working time. Psychiatric symptoms were collected through a validated questionnaire, the QMPA. RESULTS: Positive, statistically significant associations between high (>7 symptoms) QMPA scores and either double work shift (prevalence ratio - PR=2.04, 95% confidence interval - CI: 1.16, 2.29) or more than 10 hours of daily work time (PR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.96, 3.43) were found after adjustment for age, marital status and number of pre-school children. CONCLUSIONS: Major correlates of high QMPA scores are work burden variables. Being married or having pre-school children are also associated with high QMPA scores only when associated with work burden.     

Predictors of change in physical activity during and after pregnancy: Project Viva

BACKGROUND: Few studies document longitudinal changes in physical activity from prepregnancy to the postpartum period. METHODS: This study estimated change in self-reported leisure-time physical activity in 1442 women before pregnancy, during the second trimester, and at 6 months postpartum. In addition, it also examined predictors of becoming insufficiently active during or after pregnancy. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 32.5 (4.5) years, 34% of the women were overweight or obese prepregnancy (body mass index equal to or greater than 25 kg/m(2)), and 76% were white. Before pregnancy, the mean total leisure physical activity was 9.6 hours per week. The reported decrease in total activity between prepregnancy and 6 months postpartum was -1.4 (95% CI=-1.0 to -1.9) hours per week, accounted for by decreases in moderate and vigorous physical activity but not walking. Prevalence of insufficiently active lifestyle (less than 150 minutes per week of total activity) increased from 12.6% before pregnancy to 21.7% during the postpartum period. The OR for becoming insufficiently active during pregnancy was 1.58 (95% CI=1.07-2.32) in women with at least one child compared with no children. Predictors of becoming insufficiently active postpartum included postpartum weight retention (OR=1.31; 95% CI=1.05-1.58 for each 5-kg increment); working longer hours in the first trimester (e.g., OR=5.12; 95% CI=1.96-13.4 for 45+ vs 0 hours); and reporting that lack of child care was a barrier to physical activity (OR=1.73; 95% CI=0.99-3.02). CONCLUSIONS: Women reported decreases in moderate and vigorous physical activity during pregnancy that persisted at 6 months postpartum. Levels of walking did not decline. Children in the home, longer work hours, and lack of child care were predictors of becoming insufficiently active during or after pregnancy.     

Habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea in adults: population-based study in Southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea and their factors associated. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with a representative sample comprising 3,136 adults (>20 years) living in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 2005. A questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and anthropometric variables and outcomes. Crude and adjusted statistical analysis using Fisher exact test and chi-square test for linear trend and a multivariate analysis through Poisson regression model were carried out, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of habitual snoring was 50.5% (95% CI: 48.1;52.8) and obstructive sleep apnea was 9.9% (95% CI: 8.7;11.2). After adjustment, the risk of habitual snoring was greater in males (prevalence ratio [PR]=1.25, 95% CI: 1.16;1.34), elderly people (PR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.46;1.80), current smokers (PR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.07;1.25), alcohol users (PR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.03;1.31) and obese people (PR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.55;1.88). The risk of obstructive sleep apnea was greater in males (PR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.67;2.52), elderly people (PR=2.23, 95% CI: 1.64;3.03), current smokers (PR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.25;2.05) and obese people (PR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.97;3.47). CONCLUSIONS: In the studied population, habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea were common symptoms. Well-known risk factors such as male gender and age between 40 and 60 years are not modifiable. However, smoking, alcohol use and obesity need to be identified and treated in general population.     

Factors associated with drug use among adolescent students in southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with drug use among adolescent students from schools providing secondary education. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 1998. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was answered by a proportional sample of 10-19-year-old students, enrolled in primary (5th grade and further) and secondary classes in all public and private schools of the urban area which providing secondary education. Schools were visited up to three times in order to reach absent students. Results were expressed as prevalence ratios (PR). RESULTS: 2,410 students were interviewed, losses amounting to 8%. The prevalence of drug use (except alcohol and tobacco) in the last year was 17.1%. After confounder control, associations remained between drug use and parents' divorce (PR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.18-1.80), poor relationship with father (PR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.17-2.38), poor relationship with mother (PR=2.71; 95% CI: 1.64-4.48), open-minded father (PR=1.36; 95% CI: 1.08-1.72), drug user in household (PR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.17-2.18), abuse (PR=1.62; 95% CI: 1.27-2.07), having been mugged or robbed in the previous year (PR=1.38; 95% CI: 1.09-1.76) and absence of religious practice (PR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.07-1.59). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests associations between several family characteristics and drug use by adolescents, providing useful information for a complete understanding of this problem in Brazil.     

Risk factors for generally reduced productivity--a prospective cohort study of young adults with neck or upper-extremity musculoskeletal symptoms

OBJECTIVES: This study prospectively assessed the importance of individual conditions and computer use during school or work and leisure time as risk factors for self-reported generally reduced productivity due to musculoskeletal complaints among young adults with musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck or upper extremities. METHODS: A cohort of 2914 young adults (18-25 years, vocational school and college or university students) responded to an internet-based questionnaire concerning musculoskeletal symptoms related to individual conditions and computer use during school or work and leisure time that possibly affected general productivity. Prevalence ratios (PR) were used to assess prospective risk factors for generally reduced productivity. RESULTS: The selected study sample (N=1051) had reported neck or upper-extremity symptoms. At baseline, 280 of them reported reduced productivity. A follow-up of the 771 who reported no reduced productivity was carried out after 1 year. Risk factors for self-reported generally reduced productivity for those followed-up were symptoms in two or three locations or dimensions for the upper back or neck and the shoulders, arms, wrists, or hands [PR 2.30, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.40-3.78], symptoms persisting longer than 90 days in the shoulders, arms, wrists, or hands (PR 2.50, 95% CI 1.12-5.58), current symptoms in the shoulders, arms, wrists, or hands (PR 1.78, 95% CI 1.10-2.90) and computer use 8-14 hours/week during leisure time (PR 2.32, 95% CI 1.20-4.47). A stronger relationship was found if three or four risk factors were present. For women, a relationship was found between generally reduced productivity and widespread and current symptoms in the upper extremities. CONCLUSIONS: The main risk factors for generally reduced productivity due to musculoskeletal symptoms among young adults in this study were chronic symptoms in the upper extremities and widespread symptoms in the neck and upper extremities.     

Health care system changes and reported musculoskeletal disorders among registered nurses

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the impact of health care system changes on nurses' health, and we studied reported musculoskeletal disorders associated with these changes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study (n = 1163) defined a musculoskeletal disorder case as moderate pain that lasted at least 1 week or occurred monthly during the past year. Nurses were asked about changes in the health care system in the past year, and responses to 12 changes were summed and were categorized as low, moderate, or high changes. RESULTS: When the changes were summed, the adjusted odds ratios for musculoskeletal disorders for more than 6 versus 0 to 1 changes were (1) neck: 4.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.97, 10.08), (2) shoulder: 2.63 (95% CI = 1.17, 5.91), and (3) back: 3.42 (95% CI = 1.61, 7.27). CONCLUSIONS: The adverse impact on health caused by the changing health care system must be addressed to prevent further injuries among nurses.     

2021年广州市非近视儿童远视储备不足现状及影响因素

目的 了解广州市非近视儿童远视储备不足现状及其影响因素。方法 2021年9―12月,在广州市11个区采取分层整群随机抽样方法,每区抽取2～3所幼儿园、2所小学、2所初中开展眼科检查和问卷调查,对其中6～12岁非近视儿童(8 335名)的屈光度和远视储备不足情况进行分析,采用χ²检验和多因素Log-binomial回归模型分析9～12岁非近视儿童(3 216名)远视储备不足影响因素。结果 2021年广州市6～12岁非近视儿童等效球镜度数(spherical equivalent, SE)为+0.13(-0.25,+0.50) D,远视储备不足检出率为85.18%。各年龄段SE分别为6岁+0.38(0.00,+0.75) D、7岁+0.25(-0.13,+0.50) D、8岁+0.13(-0.13,+0.50) D、9岁+0.13(-0.25,+0.38) D、10岁0.00(-0.38,+0.38) D、11岁0.00(-0.38,+0.25) D、12岁-0.13(-0.50,+0.25) D;远视储备不足检出率6岁为88.57%、7岁为91.56%,8岁为93....     

Smoking, work status, and gender: analysis of the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey, 2008

This study investigated whether men's and women's work status is associated with current smoking, after adjusting for schooling, income, and health, besides discussing hypotheses for such associations. The sample included individuals 15 to 64 years of age living in metropolitan areas, currently in the work force, and interviewed in the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) in 2008. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were obtained by Poisson regression. After adjusting, smoking prevalence was statistically higher in individuals with informal jobs (men, PR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.24-1.38; women, PR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.12-1.31) or who were unemployed (men, PR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.18-1.44; women, PR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.03-1.32). Our results confirm that work status is an independent dimension of social inequalities in smoking. The social gradient was steeper in men, but the association between work status and smoking was present in both genders.     

A meta-analysis of observational studies identifies predictors of sickness absence

OBJECTIVE: About one in every three employees seen by their occupational physician is absent from work because of psychosocial health complaints. To implement preventive measures, it is necessary to identify predictors for this type of sickness absence. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A meta-analysis was carried out to quantify the association between predictive factors and psychosocial sickness absence and to assess clinical outcomes and heterogeneity. Eligible for inclusion were prospective studies that examined this association and provided sufficient information to estimate summary odds ratios (SORs). RESULTS: Twenty prospective studies were included. Significant SORs for sick leave >3 days were found for being unmarried, 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.15-1.64), experiencing psychosomatic complaints, 1.79 (95% CI=1.54-2.07), using medication, 3.13 (95% CI=1.71-5.72), having a burnout, 2.34 (95% CI=1.59-3.45), suffering from psychological problems, 1.97 (95% CI=1.37-2.85), having low job control, 1.28 (95% CI=1.23-1.33), having low decision latitude, 1.33 (95% CI=1.16-1.56), and experiencing no fairness at work, 1.30 (95% CI=1.18-1.45). CONCLUSION: This study shows that predictors of sickness absence can be identified in a homogeneous manner. The results provide leads to public health interventions to successfully improve psychosocial health and to reduce sickness absence.     

Personal, social and environmental correlates of resilience to physical inactivity among women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds

While sex and socio-economic disparities in physical activity have been well documented, not all disadvantaged women are inactive. This study aimed to examine correlates of achieving recommended levels of physical activity among women of low socio-economic position. In 2005, a population-based sample of 291 women with low educational attainment provided survey data on leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Participants reported potential personal (enjoyment and self-efficacy; barriers; intentions; guilt and priorities; routines and scheduling; occupational physical activity; television viewing), social (support from family/friends; social participation; sport/recreation club membership; dog ownership) and environmental (aesthetics; safety; local access; footpaths; interesting walks; busy roads to cross; heavy traffic) correlates of physical activity. Nearly 40% of participants achieved recommended LTPA (150 min week(-1)). Multivariable analyses revealed that higher levels of self-efficacy for walking [prevalence ratio (PR) 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-3.53], higher enjoyment of walking (PR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.12), greater intentions to be active (PR 1.97, 95% CI 1.12-3.45) and having set routines for physical activity (PR 1.91, 95% CI 1.18-3.09) were significantly associated with achieving recommended LTPA. Personal factors were the characteristics most strongly associated with achieving recommended levels of LTPA among women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.     

Gender perspective in the analysis of the relationship between long workhours, health and health-related behavior

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze gender differences in the impact of long workhours (>40 hours per week) on a variety of health outcomes and health-related behavior. METHODS: The sample included all salaried contract workers aged 16-64 years (1658 men and 1134 women) and interviewed in the 2002 Catalonian Health Survey. RESULTS: Whereas the men with a high job status were more likely to work >40 hours a week, long workhours were associated with situations of vulnerability (low job status and being separated or divorced) among the women. For both genders, working >40 hours was related to a shortage of sleep [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.54, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.21-1.98, for the men and aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11-2.38, for the women]. Among the women, long workhours were also associated with poor mental health status (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04-2.40), hypertension (aOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.17-4.32), job dissatisfaction (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.90), and smoking (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.22-2.39). In addition, among the women working more hours at home, long workhours were related to sedentary leisure time activity (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.06-3.71). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between long workhours and health and health-related behavior was found to be directly related to long worktime and indirectly related to long exposure to poor work conditions among the women and, to a less extent, to domestic work. The pathways that explain the relationship between long workhours and health and health-related behavior seems to depend on the outcome being analyzed.     

Absence from childcare for respiratory illness

BACKGROUND: This population-based study investigated prospectively collected absence for respiratory illness data in two types of formal childcare (centre day care and family day care) in Perth, Western Australia, and factors associated with such absence. METHODS: All centres (n = 11) and 95% of family day care caregivers (n = 130) selected at random from licensing lists agreed to participate. Demographic details were obtained from a parental questionnaire and absences were recorded prospectively. Characteristics of the child and family were described using univariate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariable analysis including generalized estimating equations was used to investigate having at least one absence for respiratory illness, having two or more absences, and having six or more absences. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between care types for having had at least one absence episode for respiratory illness (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.92-2.04) was found. Children who attended care for more days per week (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.26-1.56) and those in the study for more weeks (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05) were more likely to be absent for respiratory illness. Those children in care for a greater number of hours per day were less likely to be absent (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.80-0.97). Family history of bronchitis was also associated with absence for respiratory illness (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.32-2.63). CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant factors which had an impact on absence for respiratory illness were primarily those relating to the time spent in childcare and to family history of bronchitis.     

Influence of work environment on emotional health in a health care setting

BACKGROUND: Radical changes are taking place in health care services and might be expected to cause job dissatisfaction, absenteeism, somatic complaints and mental health problems. Research in this area is limited and focused primarily on nurses. AIM: To understand the impact of the work environment on the emotional health of doctors and nurses in a general hospital setting. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using self-reported questionnaires including the General Health Questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist for Civilians, the Trauma Experiences and Work Environment Scale. RESULTS: The response rates for the study were 28% (60) for doctors and 54% (431) for nurses. Whilst the prevalences of psychiatric disorder, anxiety, depression and PTSD were higher for doctors compared with nurses, this was not statistically significant. Both groups reported witnessing someone badly injured or killed as their most distressing experience (doctors 46% versus nurses 41%). Using multiple logistic regression, significant predictors of emotional health was task orientation for doctors (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6), and PTSD (OR = 17.2, 95% CI = 6.0-49.6), work pressure (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.01-1.4) and innovation (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.70-0.94) for nurses. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of psychiatric disorder among the doctors and nurses was similar to that in Britain. Elements of the work environment did impact on the emotional health of health care workers. Organizational development initiatives should include employee mental health issues in order to create a more positive work environment.     

Neighborhood safety and physical inactivity in adults from Curitiba, Brazil

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Neighborhood safety is one of the environmental aspects that can influence physical activity. We analyzed the association between perceived neighborhood safety and physical inactivity (PI) in adults and examined effect modification according to sociodemographic variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,261 adults (62% women), age 18-69 years from Curitiba, Brazil. RESULTS: The perception of unsafe neighborhood was higher among women, older participants, those classified in the high socioeconomic (SES) group, overweighed and also among those reporting to have PA equipments and children. The association between perception safety of walking during the day and walking for leisure (women PR = 1.12 CI95% = 1.02-1.22; men PR = 0.82 CI95% = 0.64-1.05; interaction term PR = 1.38 CI95% = 1.03-1.83) and safe perception was associated with PI, just in the highest SES group (PR = 1.09; CI95% = 1.00-1.19; p trend = 0.032) when compared with their counterparts (low SES PR = 0.99; CI95% =0.90-1.04; p trend = 0.785; interaction term PR = 1.09; CI95% = 1.03-1.15; p trend = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The perception of safety in the neighborhood was moderately associated with PI in transport, but this association varies across subgroups of sociodemographic variables.     

Factors associated to self perceived need of dental care among Brazilian elderly

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with the self-perceived need for dental treatment among elderly people. METHODS: A total of 5,326 individuals who were included in a sample of Brazilian elderly people aged 65-74 years in a home survey on oral health conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2002/2003 were investigated. The analysis was based on the model of Gift, Atchison & Drury, and Poisson regression for analysis of surveys with complex samples was used. RESULTS: Out of the whole sample, 2,928 (55%) of the elderly people said they needed dental treatment. This need was perceived less frequently among those aged 70 years or over (PR=0.94; 95% CI: 0.89;0.99), those who had not received information on how to avoid oral problems (PR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.83;0.95) and those who were edentate (PR=0.68; 95% CI: 0.62;0.74). The perceived need was greater among those who self;rated their oral health as regular (PR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.21;1.41) or poor/very poor (PR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.19;1.41), their appearance as regular (PR=1.23; 95% CI: 1.15;1.32) or poor/very poor (PR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.18;1.39) and their chewing as regular (PR=1.08; 95% CI: 1.01;1.15) or poor/very poor (PR=1.13; 95% CI: 1.05;1.21). It was also greater among those who reported pain in their teeth or gums over the six months prior to the survey (PR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.18;1.36) and among those who needed a prosthesis in one arch (PR=1.29; 95% CI: 1.19;1.39) or both (PR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.16;1.40). CONCLUSIONS: Information, oral health conditions and subjective questions were associated with self-perceived need for dental treatment. The results reinforce the need to capacitate individuals to carry out oral self-examination and identify non-painful signs and symptoms of mucosal lesions, caries and periodontal disease at an early stage.     

Predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries in a population cohort

OBJECTIVES: We assessed predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries using data from 4 waves of the Canadian National Population Health Survey. METHODS: Participants were 2806 working adults who completed an abbreviated version of the Job Content Questionnaire in 1994-1995 and did not experience repetitive strain injuries prior to 2000-2001. Potential previous wave predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries were modeled via multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24, 3.18), some college or university education (OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.06, 3.70), job insecurity (OR=1.76; 95% CI=1.07, 2.91), high physical exertion levels (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.29, 3.12), and high levels of psychological demands (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.02, 2.52) were all positively associated with work-related repetitive strain injuries, whereas working less than 30 hours per week exhibited a negative association with such injuries (OR=0.2; 95% CI=0.1, 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable job characteristics are important predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries.     

长工时作业和通勤时间对中国女护士月经异常的影响

  目的  评价长工时作业和通勤时间对女护士月经状况的影响,为相关部门合理调配护士的工作时间提供依据。  方法  2016年5月―2016年11月对中国8 904名女护士进行问卷调查,收集人口学、职业和月经状况数据,用二分类logistic回归分析模型分析长工时作业与通勤时间对月经异常的影响。  结果  女护士工作时间为(8.2±1.1)h、中位通勤时间为1.0(0.5, 1.0)h。月经异常率为41.0%。工作时间>8 h对女护士的月经异常各指标均有影响,其中对月经持续时间变化的影响最大(OR=1.651, 95% CI: 1.403~1.942, P < 0.001)。通勤时间>1 h对月经异常各指标均有影响,其中对月经持续时间变化的影响最大(OR=1.368, 95% CI: 1.178~1.588, P < 0.001)。  结论  长工时作业与通勤时间较长会导致女护士月经异常风险升高,是月经异常的影响因素。     

Work schedule during pregnancy and spontaneous abortion

BACKGROUND: There is inconsistent evidence as to whether work schedule (including rotating shifts and night work) can affect reproductive outcomes. METHODS: We investigated the association between work schedule and risk of spontaneous abortion in U.S. nurses. The Nurses' Health Study II is a prospective cohort study established in 1989. In 2001, information about occupational activities and exposures during pregnancy was collected from female nurses for the most recent pregnancy since 1993. Of 11,178 eligible respondents, 9547 (85%) indicated willingness to participate in the occupational study, and 8461 of those (89%) returned the questionnaire, for an overall participation rate of 76%. Of these, 7688 women had pregnancies that were eligible for analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported 6902 live births and 786 (10%) spontaneous abortions. Compared with women who reported usually working "days only" during their first trimester, women who reported usually working "nights only" had a 60% increased risk of spontaneous abortion (RR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-1.9). A rotating schedule, with or without night shifts, was not associated with an increase in risk (RR = 1.2 [CI = 0.9-1.5] and 1.0 [CI = 0.8-1.2], respectively). Women who reported working more than 40 hours per week during the first trimester were also at increased risk of spontaneous abortion (1.5; 1.3-1.7) compared with women working 21-40 hours, even after adjustment for work schedule. CONCLUSIONS: Nightwork and long work hours may be associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Further studies are needed to determine whether hormonal disturbances attributed to night work affect pregnancy outcome.     

Incidence of self-reported occupational injuries in seafaring--an international study

AIMS: Seafaring is known as a high-risk industry. The aims were to describe the incidence of non-fatal injuries among seafarers, including testing the hypothesis that long working hours might result in higher injury rates. METHODS: A questionnaire study of injury on the latest tour of duty was carried out among seafarers in 11 countries with 6461 participants. The seafarers were asked if they were injured during the latest tour of duty and what was the number of hours worked. RESULTS: During the latest tour of duty, 9.1% of all seafarers were injured and 4.3% had an injury with at least 1 day of incapacity. The injury incidence rates for cargo ships and tankers: 39.5 per 1 million work hours and 37.6 per 100,000 days. Multivariate analyses: incidence rate ratios (IRR) for >70 working hours per week compared with <57 h: 0.90 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.61-1.32]; non-officers compared with officers: IRR = 1.57 (95% CI = 1.14-2.15); seafarers <35 years compared with > or =35 years of age: IRR = 2.11 (1.57-2.86); tour lengths > or =117 days compared with <117 days: IRR = 0.27 (0.19-0.39). Main work area on the deck and in the service area compared with work in the engine room: IRR = 0.37 (0.27-0.52) and IRR = 0.49 (0.26-0.91), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that long working hours alone resulted in higher injury rates. Low self-perceived health, lack of use of personal protection and lack of occupational safety on board were significantly related to an increase in the injury risk.     

Perceived Discrimination and Smoking Among Rural-to-Urban Migrant Women in China

Smoking may be a coping mechanism for psychosocial stress caused by discrimination. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of rural-to-urban migrant women working as restaurant/hotel workers (RHWs) and those working as sex workers (FSWs) in 10 Chinese cities to investigate whether perceived discrimination is associated with smoking. We interviewed RHWs at medical examination clinics and FSWs at entertainment venues. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios. Of the 1,696 RHWs and 532 FSWs enrolled, 155 (9.1%) and 63 (11.8%) reported perceived discrimination, respectively. Perceived discrimination was independently associated with ever tried smoking (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–2.23) and current smoking (PR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.32–4.79) among RHWs and ever tried smoking (PR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.16–1.61) and current smoking (PR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.28–2.06) among FSWs. Perceived discrimination is associated with higher prevalence of smoking among rural-to-urban migrant women in China.