Nutrient intake among female shift workers in a computer factory in Japan

Based on a 4-day questionnaire survey for all meals and snacks consumed by female workers in a computer factory in Japan, consisting of 44 daytime workers and 93 weekly-rotating shift workers (of whom 47 and 46 were engaged in, respectively, early-shift work and late-shift work during the survey week), the present study aimed to clarify the effects of shift work on their nutrient intakes in association with food consumption patterns. Their dietary intakes for 3 working days and an off day were assessed by self-registered food consumption records with the aid of a photographic method, and intakes of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium and iron were estimated. The inter-group differences were prominent in the working days. The shift workers, particularly the late-shift workers, took smaller amounts of energy and nutrients than the daytime workers, implying that the former group's nutritional status has been worsened, judged from the recommended dietary allowance for Japanese. Their inadequate nutrient intake was due to lower meal frequency and poor meal quality, both of which were conditioned by shift work.     

Skin problems among fiber-glass reinforced plastics factory workers in Japan

Two surveys, one in winter the other in summer time, examined the skin problems of the entire manual workers (N=148) from 11 small-to-medium sized fiber-glass reinforced plastics (FRP) factories located in Kyushu, Japan. The workers were exposed to unsaturated polyester resin, including styrene and auxiliary agents such as cobalt naphthenate, hardeners such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxides, glass fiber and dust including shortened glass fiber and plastic particles. Eighty-seven workers (58.8%) reported having skin problems (mainly itching or dermatitis) since they started to work in FRP manufacturing and 25 workers had consulted a physician because of their skin problems; one worker was forced to take sick leave because of his severe dermatitis. History of allergic diseases and shorter occupational period (duration of employment) in a FRP factory were associated with greater probability of having a history of work-related skin symptoms. Workers in factories where dust-generating and lamination sites were located in different buildings were significantly less likely to have a history of skin problems than those in factories where the two sites were located in the same building. Of the 67 workers examined in both seasons closed to double the prevalence of dermatitis was found in summer (23.3%) than winter (13.4%).     

工厂外来女工艾滋病干预模式研究

目的 了解珠江三角洲工厂外来女工艾滋病相关知识、态度、信念、行为(KABP)，探索适合该人群的有效的艾滋病干预模式。方法 采用匿名问卷法对外来女工进行基线调查后开展针对该人群的艾滋病综合干预措施，并对干预结果进行评价。结果 工厂外来女工艾滋病知晓程度非常低，缺乏自我保护意识和能力，生殖健康状况较差，是艾滋病的脆弱人群。干预后，其对艾滋病传播途径和预防方法的知晓率显著提高，安全性行为率增高，安全套使用率增高。结论 干预模式取得明显效果，可在该类人群中推广。     

Cohort study of cancer risk among male and female shift workers

OBJECTIVES: Melatonin, a hormone that inhibits experimentally induced cancers, is suppressed by nighttime exposure to light so that nighttime shift workers may be at an increased risk of cancer. Previous studies of shift workers found an increased risk of breast cancer among women and suggested a possible increased risk of colon cancer among women and prostate cancer. The present study was conducted to see whether these previous findings could be confirmed and whether shift workers are at elevated risk for cancer at additional sites. METHODS: Altogether 2 102 126 male and 1 148 661 female workers were identified who worked in both 1960 and 1970. Their jobs were classified according to the percentage of shift workers, and they were followed from 1971 through 1989 or until they were diagnosed with cancer or died. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were used to compare the adjusted cancer incidence rates for shift workers with those for nonshift workers. RESULTS: Cancer rates were not elevated for the male shift workers [all sites combined: N=6524 cases among shift workers, SIR 1.02, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.00-1.05; prostate: N=1319, SIR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99-1.10] or for the female shift workers (all sites combined: N=268, SIR 1.00, 95% CI 0.89-1.13; breast: N=70 cases, SIR 0.94, 95% CI 0.74-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found for an association between shift work and breast or prostate cancer, or all cancer sites combined among shift workers.     

Occupational dermatoses among workers in a porcelain manufacturing factory

The objectives of the present work are to determine the prevalence and risk factors of occurrence of occupational dermatoses among workers in a porcelain manufacturing factory. The study included 235 workers (132 males and 103 females). After history taking, dermatological examination was performed at the work place. Cases of contact dermatitis (CD) were patch tested using potassium dichromate 0.5%, Cobalt chloride 1% and Nickel sulphate 5% in petrolatum. Results showed that the prevalence of occupational dermatoses (OD) was 26.8% among exposed workers. The highest percentage of OD was found among workers in the decoration department. It represented 30.2% of all cases. CD was the commonest presentation among the studied group, it represented 27% of all cases of OD. Results of patch testing indicated that out of 17 cases of CD 12 cases (70%) were of the irritant variety and 5 cases (30%) were of the allergic type. The prevalence of OD was found to be affected by age, duration of work, type of exposure and daily bathing after work.     

Physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh

This cross-sectional study examined the physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh. A total of 1211 postmenarchial girls aged 14-19 y from seventeen readymade garment industries spread over the Dhaka City participated in the study. Body weight, height and skin fold thickness were measured for all subjects. The nutrient intake was assessed by 24-h recall method and 7-day food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate their dietary pattern on a sub-sample of 509 girls. Sixty five percent of the girls were short (height-for-age, <3rd percentile of NCHS reference values). Pre-valence of short stature was higher in the older girls. Mean body weight was 38k g for the 14 year old girls, which gradually increased across the age groups to about 42 kg for the 18 and 19 year olds. About 17% of the girls were thin (BMI-for-age <5th percentile of NCHS reference values). Over all, about 23% were lean (TSFT-for-age <5th percentile of NCHS reference values). Food intake data revealed a deficit of 1.62 MJ/day in energy. Mean intake of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C were below the recommended dietary allowance. Most of the energy and nutrients came from cereal grains. Habitual pattern of food intake revealed poor intake of eggs, milk, meat, and green leafy vegetables. In conclusion, the data show a poor physical status of the adolescent female factory workers in Bangladesh. Simultaneous substantial deficits in energy and several nutrients in their diet stress the need for an appropriate intervention to improve their overall nutritional and physical status of these young females.     

Allergic morbidity in children of female workers at a Tyre factory

Working conditions and morbidity in tyre female workers and allergic morbidity in their children were studied. The incidence of allergic diseases in the children of tyre female workers constantly subject to poor working conditions was ascertained to be higher than in those of workers unengaged in noxious industry. The higher incidence of allergic diseases in the study group children may be regarded as a result of the mediated effect of deleterious maternal industrial factors on a baby's health, mainly by developing atopic diseases. This is due to the early manifestation and more severe course of allergic diseases.     

Gynecologic pain related to occupational stress among female factory workers in Tianjin,China

Background:

Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and non-cyclic pelvic pain are health concerns for factory workers in China and may be increased by occupational stress.

Objectives:

To estimate the prevalence and demographic and occupational factors associated with three types of gynecologic pain among female factory workers in Tianjin.

Methods:

The study included 651 female workers from three factories in Tianjin, China. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine associations between occupational stress and gynecologic pain.

Results:

Occupational stress including high job strain, exhaustion, and stress related to working conditions was a risk factor for gynecologic pain. High job strain and poor job security were associated with an increased risk for dysmenorrhea. Compulsory overtime and exhaustion were associated with increased non-cyclic pelvic pain. Working overtime and exhaustion were associated with increased dyspareunia.

Conclusions:

As China’s population of female factory workers grows, research on the reproductive health of this population is essential.     

Gynecologic pain related to occupational stress among female factory workers in Tianjin,China

Abstract

Background: Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and non-cyclic pelvic pain are health concerns for factory workers in China and may be increased by occupational stress.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and demographic and occupational factors associated with three types of gynecologic pain among female factory workers in Tianjin.

Methods: The study included 651 female workers from three factories in Tianjin, China. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine associations between occupational stress and gynecologic pain.

Results: Occupational stress including high job strain, exhaustion, and stress related to working conditions was a risk factor for gynecologic pain. High job strain and poor job security were associated with an increased risk for dysmenorrhea. Compulsory overtime and exhaustion were associated with increased non-cyclic pelvic pain. Working overtime and exhaustion were associated with increased dyspareunia.

Conclusions: As China’s population of female factory workers grows, research on the reproductive health of this population is essential.     

工厂外来女工艾滋病干预前后分析

目的 了解珠江三角洲工厂外来女工艾滋病相关知识、态度、信念、行为(KABP)，评价艾滋病干预效果。方法 采用面对面匿名同卷法，对珠江三角洲某市4个制衣厂的外来女工进行基线调查，并对该人群进行艾滋病综合措施干预，干预后再进行调查。结果 工厂外来女工对艾滋病缺乏基本了解，艾滋病传播途径和预防方法的知晓率均较低，安全套使用率低，是艾滋病的脆弱人群。经干预，工厂外来女工的艾滋病传播途径和预防方法的知晓率均显著提高，安全性行为率增高，安全套使用率增高。结论 干预取得明显效果。     

倒班作业女职工月经情况的调查

选择不同职业的270名倒班女职工(倒班组)和对应单位210名不倒班女职工(对照组)进行月经生理职业流行病学调查。结果显示,倒班组月经异常患病率、经期异常率、周期异常率和痛经率均明显高于对照组且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。倒班组女职工月经周期异常率随倒班工龄的增加有线性增高的趋势,经趋势卡方检验有统计学意义,不同职业女职工间月经异常患病率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。提示建立合理、人性化的劳动制度对保护倒班作业女工的生殖健康十分必要。     

The productivity of female shift workers

The productivity of female shift workers, working on a weekly rotating three-shift system, was examined. The afternoon shift was found to be the most productive and the night shift the least productive one. The greatest difference in productivity between shifts was found in the first two days of the week, when the productivity on night shift was significantly lower than that on the other two shifts. From the third day on there were no longer significant differences in productivity between shifts. The most productive and the least productive workers on night shift did not significantly differ in extraversion or in sleep duration after the night shift. Family responsibility was found to be associated with the duration of sleep after the night shift: married women slept significantly shorter after the night shift than unmarried women. However, this difference in sleep duration was not associated with productivity on night shift. Sleep duration after the afternoon shift (8 hours 40 minutes) was on average two hours longer than after the other two shifts. The difference in sleep duration after different shifts, along with circadian variations in alertness, readiness for work and performance efficiency, could be responsible for differences in productivity between shifts.     

Knowledge and opinions of emergency contraceptive pills among female factory workers in Tijuana, Mexico

Workers in Mexico's maquiladoras (assembly plants) are mainly young, single women, many of whom could benefit from emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). Because ECPs are readily available in Mexico, women who know about the therapy can obtain it easily. Do maquiladora workers know about the method? Could worksite programs help increase awareness? To investigate these questions, we conducted a five‐month intervention during which workers in three maquiladoras along the Mexico‐United States border could attend educational talks on ECPs, receive pamphlets, and obtain kits containing EC supplies. Among the workers exposed to our intervention, knowledge of ECPs increased. Reported ECP use also increased. Although our intervention apparently increased workers’ knowledge and use, the factory proved to be a difficult intervention setting. Problems we experienced included a factory closure and management/staff opposition to certain project elements. Future studies should continue to investigate work‐site interventions and other strategies to reach workers.     

Changes in health habits of female shift workers

This paper examines the effects of shift work on the lifestyles of female factory workers. As an indicator of healthy lifestyle habits, we used a scoring system (referred to below as the 'health score') based on Lester Breslow's health habits. The 'health score' of the women was higher than that of the men, but the shift workers' score was lower than that of the non-shift workers (p<0.01). In addition, the score of workers who had changed from non-shift work to double-shift work was remarkably low (p<0.01). These results suggest that, while the female shift workers manage to maintain relatively healthy lifestyles in comparison with the males, they have more difficulty maintaining these habits than do female workers who do not perform shift work. It can be concluded that, in addition to heightening women's consciousness of their own health, surrounding entities such as the work environment, the home, and the community in general need to pay due care to Japan's female shift workers.     

Mortality among workers in an Italian cigarette factory

A cohort study was conducted to evaluate the mortality pattern among female and male workers in a cigarette factory. The study followed 972 female workers and 761 male workers with at least 6 months of cumulative employment from 1 January 1962 through 1 July 1996. Among women, mortality from all causes of death [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-1.1] and mortality from all malignant neoplasms (SMR = 1.1; CI = 0.9-1.3) were consistent with reference rates. Male workers had a significantly reduced overall mortality (SMR = 0.8; CI = 0.7-0.9), while mortality from all malignant neoplasms was as expected (SMR = 0.9; CI = 0.7-1.0). Among female workers the frequencies of deaths from diseases of nervous system (SMR = 2.0; CI = 1.1-3.4) and from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) (SMR = 2.7; CI = 1.0-5.6) were elevated at a statistically significant level. No association between duration of employment and diseases of nervous system was observed. A higher risk for NHL, based on three deaths, was reported among female workers with 15 or more years of employment (SMR = 8.1; CI = 2.2-21.0). Although based on small numbers, the excess of NHL here reported suggests that potential exposure to foliar residues of pesticides should be thoroughly considered in tobacco manufacturing.     

Nutrient intake of obese female binge eaters

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 6-month change in selected nutrients and number of binge days (from 7-day food records) between obese binge eaters randomly assigned to either a behavioral self-management (BSM) or waiting list control (WLC) group. Within each of the 2 groups, the average intake of selected nutrients on binge and nonbinge days at baseline and at 6 months were compared. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, intervention study with assessments at entry and 6 months later. SUBJECTS: Forty-six women in the BSM group and 36 in the WLC group completed the 6-month measurement. Participants were 25 to 50 years of age, 30 to 90 pounds overweight, did not have a history of physical or psychological illnesses, and scored 20 or greater on the binge eating scale. INTERVENTION: Participants in the BSM intervention received 6 months of weekly, 1-hour classes taught by registered dietitians. Participants in the WLC group were not contacted during the 6 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were change in energy consumed (kilocalories); percentage of energy from fat, protein, and carbohydrate; grams of fiber/1,000 kcal; and change in the number of self-reported binge days. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Weight at 6 months was compared using a 2-sample t test. The change in the number of binge days at 6 months and the amount of change in selected nutrients by group was compared using the 2-sample t test. The paired t test was used to compare the average nutrient intakes on binge and nonbinge days within groups. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the 6-month change between groups in any of the selected nutrients. The BSM group reported a greater reduction in binge days between baseline and 6 months compared with the WLC group (mean 1.0 vs 1.7, P < 0.03). Within the BSM group at 6 months, energy intake and percentage of energy from fat on nonbinge days were significantly reduced compared with binge days. At baseline within the WLC group, energy intake increased and percentage of energy from protein decreased significantly on nonbinge days compared with binge days. Within the WLC group at 6 months, energy intake and percentage of energy from fat significantly decreased and percentage of energy from protein significantly increased on nonbinge days. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that collecting dietary information from participants identified with binge eating disorder is challenging. Dietitians who conduct behavioral weight management programs may require additional training in identifying and understanding the psychological characteristics of participants with binge-eating disorder.     

某皮鞋厂制鞋工人血象改变的原因分析

目的　探讨某皮鞋厂苯系物对人体的危害作用 ,为预防和控制苯系物危害的发生提供依据。方法　选择该厂 1 2 4名接触苯系物的制鞋工人为接触组 ,另选不接触苯系物的 1 80名工人为对照组 ,分别对这些工人进行包括白细胞和血小板等项目的职业性健康检查 ,并对该厂制鞋生产线苯系物的浓度进行了监测。结果　接触组白细胞减少者检出率为 1 0 4 8% ,而对照组为 1 1 1 % ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1 ) ;血小板减少者接触组检出率为 3 2 3% ,对照组为 0 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。制鞋生产线作业环境均存在苯系物 ,苯系物超标率为 6 4 1 % (5 / 78)。结论　接触苯系物可引起制鞋工人的血象改变 ,应加强对接触苯系物制鞋工人的苯防护工作。