Methodological approach to the evaluation of health status of white-collar workers

According to the results of a complex examination of white-collar workers the data on medical checkups, assessment of the body functional state, mental and physical work capacity, risk factors were used as criteria of their health status. Three levels of health were conditionally determined and individual measures aimed at primary and secondary disease prevention motivated along with their terms and tactics.     

An investigation into the health of kapok workers.

Kapok is a cotton-like fibre obtained from the fruits of Ceiba pentandra, a tree surgeon in tropical countries. In Sri Lanka ginning of kapok is usually done by machine in poorly ventilated buildings where workers are exposed to a great deal of dust. Forty-one workers in five ginneries in Colombo were examined. Mill fever occurred in 28 (77-8%) of the 36 workers who were able to give a history. Chronic bronchitis, which is an uncommon condition in Sri Lanka, was detected to seven workers with an average of 20-9 years' service in the industry. It is suggested that chronic bronchitis is an occupational hazard of workers who are exposed to kapok dust for long periods. Byssinosis was not found in any of the workers studied.     

A comparative study of behavioural, physical and mental health status between term-limited and tenure-tracking employees in a population of Japanese male researchers

OBJECTIVES: Traditional lifelong employment systems have been changing rapidly in Japan. The aim of this study was to assess the health impacts of term-limited employment systems that have recently been introduced into Japanese academic institutes. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: A total of 514 male researchers (275 term limited and 239 tenure track) were compared in terms of behavioural, physical and mental status at annual health examinations. At these examinations, working hours and health-related lifestyles were examined using a self-completed questionnaire. Clinical structured interviews of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) were used to detect major depression. RESULTS: The term-limited researchers tended to work longer hours (P<0.001), drink alcohol more frequently (P<0.001) and eat breakfast less regularly (P<0.001) compared with the tenure-track researchers. Although the prevalence of DSM-IV major depression was comparable (P>0.05) between the two groups, fatigue was more prevalent (P=0.027) in the term-limited researchers than in the tenure-track researchers, adjusting for the effects of age. Compared with colleagues working in the same laboratories, the term-limited researchers worked longer hours, irrespective of fatigue, whereas only the fatigued tenure-track researchers worked longer hours. In the total sample, the fatigued researchers tended to belong to laboratories where their colleagues, on average, worked longer hours, compared with the non-fatigued researchers. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that the term-limited researchers suffered more from fatigue, due to longer working hours, than their colleagues, and that organized, rather than personal, interventions with respect to the working environment may be effective in reducing overload in such workplaces.     

Long-term effects of lifestyle on multiple risk factors in male workers

Objectives  To examine the long-term effects of lifestyle on the recovery from risk factors of cardiovascular disease and to discuss the difference in the effects of lifestyle modification in subjects with a single risk factor and those with multiple risk factors. Methods  We used checkup data compiled for 6477 male workers, aged 20–59 years in 1995, with risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The relation between the recovery from risk factors 9 years later and baseline lifestyles was examined by logistic regression according to the initial number of risk factors. Results  Nine years following the baseline measurements, 1907 subjects had recovered from at least one risk factor. When there was initially a single risk factor, a good overall lifestyle was effective in the recovery [odds ratio (OR) 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.57], with maintaining good dietary habits (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.07, 1.45) and moderate stress levels (OR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.38) both found to be especially effective in the recovery. When there were multiple risk factors, although the effect of a good overall lifestyle on the recovery was less than that when there was only a single risk factor, non-smoking (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.07, 1.51) and limiting working hours (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.05, 1.49) were found to be effective. Conclusions  Our results provide evidence that good lifestyles are effective in the recovery from multiple risk factors. Effects of lifestyle on recovery from multiple risk factors are different from effects on the recovery from a single risk factor, with the difference depending on the initial number of risk factors.     

Combined Effects of Working Hours,Income, and Leisure Time on Suicide in All 47 Prefectures of Japan

This study describes an ecological study that evaluated the combined effects of workinghours, income, and leisure time on suicide in all 47 prefectures of Japan. In men, theage-adjusted rate of suicide (per 100,000 population) was significantly correlated withworking hours (r=0.587, p<0.0001) as well assignificantly and negatively correlated with income (r=−0.517,p=0.0002) and times for the leisure activities ofself-education (r=−0.447, p=0.0016) and hobbies (r=−0.511,p=0.0002). In addition, a stepwise multiple regressionanalysis identified time for leisure social activities as a determining factor in suiciderate, even after adjusting for working hours and income. However, the impact of time forleisure social activities on suicide rate was smaller than that of working hours andincome. In contrast, none of these factors affected suicide rate in women. These resultssuggest that increasing leisure time may be useful for preventing suicide among men inJapan.     

An investigation into expectation-led interviewer effects in health surveys

Many large-scale health surveys use interviewers to obtain standardised information about the health of the general population. To improve response rates and data quality, the researchers/designers usually brief the interviewers to familiarise them with the survey procedures and stimulate their interest in the survey. However, it is possible that interviewers, having been exposed to researchers' expectations, may inadvertently influence respondents to produce outcomes consistent with those expectations. Such expectations are referred to here as 'expectation-led interviewer effects'. In this paper, the design and results from an experiment to test for expectation-led interviewer effects are described. The experiment involved conducting two health surveys, called the 'experimental' and the 'control', which were identical in every way except that researchers made a reference to a supposed link between childhood and adult health at the experimental survey briefing. The testing procedure was designed prior to data collection to preclude accusations of data dredging and to ensure that the type I error probability was less than 5 percent. No consistent evidence of expectation-led interviewer effects was found, bar a statistically significant effect for health questions requiring the recall of detailed quantitative information. This effect was small, however.     

Effects of obesity, current smoking status, and alcohol consumption on heart rate variability in male white-collar workers

 In order to examine the effects of mild to moderate obesity, moderate to heavy smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption on cardiac parasympathetic activities and systemic sympathetic activities, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 282 healthy Japanese male white-collar workers. Their autonomic activities were assessed as amplitudes of spectral components of heart rate variability (HRV) which was measured in the annual physical examination at their work sites. Taking the effects of aging on HRV into account, the cardiac parasympathetic activity at supine rest and its response to a change in posture were reduced in mildly to moderately obese subjects with a body mass index of 21–36, whereas the sympathetic activity was not. The effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on HRV were not confirmed. The above results means that we should consider obesity as a covariate when we examine possible relationships between cardiac parasympathetic activity and other environmental factors. There is a need for further studies on the relationships among obesity, change in parasympathetic activity, and development of health problems. The dose-effect relationships between long-term smoking or alcohol consumption and chronic changes in autonomic activities also remain to be determined. Received: 20 May 1995/Accepted: 20 September 1996     

Association of smoking with other lifestyle factors and mental health status of Japanese factory workers

A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among factory workers in Japan. The questionnaire included items concerning eight health practices recommended by Morimoto and the General Health Questionnaire-28. Data from 1598 male workers were analyzed. There were few differences in comprehensive health status due to smoking status, but smokers under the age of 30 years had worse lifestyle habits than nonsmokers with regard to favorable drinking and eating breakfast, and smokers between the ages 30 and 44 years had worse lifestyle habits with regard to favorable drinking and eating breakfast, and better habits regarding sleeping hours and working hours. Smokers under 30 showed worse mental health status than ex-smokers with regard to social dysfunction, though there was little difference between those aged from 30 to 44 and those 45 and older. The results suggested the importance of considering the difference in lifestyle and mental health status due to smoking status when providing advice for improving health habits.     

336名卫生人员糖尿病患病情况调查

目的　了解卫生人员糖尿病患病情况。方法　对某卫生机构336人进行健康体检,采用己糖激酶法测定空腹血糖。结果　糖耐量低减者(IGT)达26.49%。按WHO糖尿病诊断标准,糖尿病患病率9.23%,其中Ⅱ型占96.77%,Ⅰ型占3.23%。61.23%(19/31)系糖尿病新发,均为Ⅱ型。糖尿病患病率随年龄的增长而增高。IGT发病率分别随年龄、体质指数(BMI)的增长而增高。有阳性家族史者糖尿病发病率是阴性史者的10倍,达46.67%。男女间发病差异无显著性。新发患者中,42.11%已出现并发症,甚至同一病人重叠数种疾病,较突出的是X综合征。结论　提示对卫生人员仍然存在加强糖尿病防治知识再教育,提高其认识的问题。     

An investigation of the acute behavioural effects of styrene on factory workers

A group of men exposed to styrene in a factory building glass-fibre boats performed a series of behavioural tests at the beginning and end of their shift, and the results were compared with those of a referent group from the same factory. Changes in mood were noted in both groups of workers but were greater in the exposed men; moreover, the change in mood was correlated with blood styrene concentration. In the styrene workers the morning reaction time was slower than that for the referents. During the day the reaction time of the men with low blood styrene concentration (less than or equal to 5.4 mumol/l) speeded up and in the afternoon was similar to that of the referents; the reaction time for the men with high blood styrene concentration (greater than or equal to 5.5 mumol/l) was unchanged. Data taken from a questionnaire indicated that the men exposed were much more likely than was the referent group to report feeling unduly tired. They also reported feeling more tired on Friday night than Monday night, suggesting that the styrene might have a cumulative effect through the week.     

Evaluation of top-down implementation of health regulations in the transport sector in a 5-year period

Objective A collective labour agreement concerning extended rest periods during long-distance shuttle bus trips of Dutch long-distance coach drivers was established in 1997. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which top-down implementation of these health regulations, with respect to rest times and subjective health complaints in the private passenger-transport sector, succeeded in the year 2002.Methods A questionnaire study was carried out on 440 coach drivers and 97 of their employers. The questionnaire for coach drivers focused on the frequency they received the required rest times and on their health status. The questionnaire for employers focused on the number of rest hours that their companies scheduled for long-distance shuttle bus trips for their drivers. Motives for not scheduling the required rest hours were noted as well.Results Almost every employer (93%) and three-quarters of the drivers (72%) reported at least 12 h rest time before a long-distance shuttle bus trip, as required. Approximately half of the employers (57%) reported planning the required rest during and after these bus trips. Fewer than one-quarter of the drivers (24%) received at least 10 h rest at their destination and fewer than half of the coach drivers (42%) always receive the required 24 h rest after the trip. In addition, the significant results are indicative of a positive relationship between the duration of the rest period during and after the long-distance shuttle bus trip and the level of health complaints of the coach drivers.Conclusions Top-down implementation of health regulations with respect to rest times resulted in successful implementation after 5 years in approximately half of the companies. Longer rest times during the high season of 2002 were associated with less health complaints at the end of that season.     

天津市公安交警健康状况与健康促进实施现状调查研究

目的了解天津市公安干警的健康状况和健康促进策略实施后的效果,并根据调查研究结果制定预防的对策,通过政策支持、行政干预、卫生服务、自我保健等措施,促进公安交警的健康。方法采用分层随机抽样方法抽取调查对象,运用流行病学、环境卫生学、劳动卫生学、健康行为学、医学心理学、健康教育学、卫生统计学等学科的研究方法对抽取的天津市4486名在职公安交警健康状况与影响因素中的危险因素、精神心理、社会环境、生活方式、健康促进效果进行评价。结果本次共调查在职公安交警4486人,男性4342人,女性144人,平均年龄为38.14岁;有20种疾病在交警中高发,依次为:鼻(咽)炎、脂肪肝、胃病(包括胃炎、胃溃疡、十二指肠溃疡)、颈椎增生、关节病(包括风湿病)、眼病、高血压、高脂血症、前列腺疾病(包括:前列腺炎、前列腺增生)、腰椎间盘突出症、冠心病、光敏性皮炎、下肢静脉曲张、糖尿病、中暑和冻疮、噪声耳聋、慢性阻塞性肺病(慢阻肺)、高黏血症、胆囊息肉、尘肺。其中,受生活方式影响的疾病有脂肪肝、胃病、高血压、前列腺疾病、高脂血症、冠心病、糖尿病、慢阻肺、高黏血症等9种;受工作环境因素影响的疾病有鼻(咽)炎、关节病、眼病、光敏性皮炎、下肢静脉曲张、中暑和冻疮、噪声聋、尘肺8种疾病。平均在外勤岗位上工作8~11年发病明显增加。心理方面问题:警龄30年以下的交警,人际关系和偏执因子均值高于警龄30年以上交警,警龄20年以上的交警,敌对因子均值低于警龄20年以下的交警,有显著性差异(P<0.05)。随着警龄的增长,3个因子均值有降低的趋势。结论明确了威胁在职公安交警健康状况的主要危险因素,确定了公安交警是20种疾病的高发群体,制定了公安交警健康教育与健康促进的长远规划。     

三氯苯对工人健康影响的卫生学调查

对５２名接触三氯苯的工人和５２名对照组进行临床体检和实验室检查。结果发现接毒工人出现临床症状,红细胞、白细胞水平降低。     

宁波大学学生心理健康状况调查

宁波大学是宁波市最高等的学府,为整个宁波市的经济文明建设输出了大批人才。大学生的心理健康问题已越来越引起国内外学者的关注,为了解宁波大学在读大学生的心理健康状况,探讨其特点和规律,为更有效地对大学生进行心理健康教育提供科学依据,我们于2004年对宁波大学部分在读学生进行了心理健康状况调查。     

海上与陆上石油钻井工人职业心理健康状况比较分析

目的 调查油田海上与陆上石油钻井工人的职业心理健康状况并对两者进行比较,为进一步开展心理健康宣教工作提供依据。方法 采用症状自评量表（SCL-90）和职业紧张量表（OSI-R）对海上及陆上石油钻井工人共702人进行问卷调查。结果 海上与陆上两组钻井工人SCL-90总分及9个因子得分均高于全国常模及石油男性工人常模,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）,但两者比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。前者心理健康状况以31~40岁最差,已婚者差于未婚者,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,而后者不同年龄、婚姻状况各组的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。前者职业任务、个体紧张反应得分低于后者,休闲娱乐得分高于后者,差异均具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。前者以26~40岁和已婚者的职业紧张程度较高,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）,而后者不同年龄、婚姻状况各组的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 海上与陆上钻井工人的职业心理健康状况均较差,但两者之间的差别不大,在关注海上钻井工人重点人群的同时,也应加大对陆上钻井工人的重视程度。     

北京奥运场馆建筑地农民工身体健康状况调查

目的了解北京奥运场馆农民建筑工健康状况,为开展建筑工健康教育提供依据。方法对参加2008年奥运体育场馆建设的1012名农民建筑工进行了一次全面正规的体格和血液生化指标检查,数据用SPSS统计软件建立数据库并进行统计分析。结果血压、甘油三脂和谷丙转氨酶在正常水平者分别为72.76%、88.24%和87.36%,其他检查在正常水平者的比例均高于95%,其中所有受检者血钙水平都在正常范围。结论部分农民建筑工存在血压、血脂和肝功能障碍。应关注上述人群异常的相关因素,加强对该人群的健康教育。     

A study of the relationship between job type and/or position to life style and health of male white-collar workers]

The relationship between the type of job and/or position of male white-collar workers to their working life, life style, health behavior, and health condition was examined based on data obtained from a survey of 1129 male workers in a major computer manufacturing company in 1988. The results were as follows: 1. Work, life style, health behavior, and health condition of male white-collar workers are strongly affected by type of job and position when adjusted for education, income, and age. 2. Workers in the sales department and engineering department appeared to have the most problems associated with working life, life style, health behavior, and health condition. Workers in sales, especially, displayed Type A behavior and their job was characterized by a lot of business transactions in a working environment that requires them to work until late at night. This leads to an irregular diet, late bed time, and makes their family relationships worse. Workers in the engineering department had work loads that were heavy because they have the longest working hours, and the content of their jobs is a mixture of both research and sales. Consequently their health is not good. On the other hands, workers in the laboratory had the best situation, and with general workers about average in terms of working life, life style, health behavior, and the state of health. 3. The department heads have the best conditions of life and health over all, except for their diet. The chiefs of sections are generally in the middle between the department heads and ordinary workers in terms of life and health. They drink and smoke heavily and show Type A behavior characteristics. Ordinary workers appear to have the most problems in working life, life style, health behavior, and health condition. From these results it may be concluded that this is associated with the difference in work type and position of these workers compared to managerial class and also with a low level of morale.     

An investigation of the acute behavioural effects of styrene on factory workers.

A group of men exposed to styrene in a factory building glass-fibre boats performed a series of behavioural tests at the beginning and end of their shift, and the results were compared with those of a referent group from the same factory. Changes in mood were noted in both groups of workers but were greater in the exposed men; moreover, the change in mood was correlated with blood styrene concentration. In the styrene workers the morning reaction time was slower than that for the referents. During the day the reaction time of the men with low blood styrene concentration (less than or equal to 5.4 mumol/l) speeded up and in the afternoon was similar to that of the referents; the reaction time for the men with high blood styrene concentration (greater than or equal to 5.5 mumol/l) was unchanged. Data taken from a questionnaire indicated that the men exposed were much more likely than was the referent group to report feeling unduly tired. They also reported feeling more tired on Friday night than Monday night, suggesting that the styrene might have a cumulative effect through the week.