Workplace interventions to improve work ability: A systematic review and meta-analysis of their effectiveness

Objective Extended working lives due to an ageing population will necessitate the maintenance of work ability across the life course. This systematic review aimed to analyze whether workplace interventions positively impact work ability. Methods We searched Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Embase databases using relevant terms. Work-based interventions were those focused on individuals, the workplace, or multilevel (combination). Work ability – measured using the work ability index (WAI) or the single-item work ability score (WAS) – was the outcome measure. GRADE (grades of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation) criteria was used to assess evidence quality, and impact statements were developed to synthesize the results. Meta-analysis was undertaken where appropriate. Results We reviewed 17 randomized control trials (comprising 22 articles). Multilevel interventions (N=5) included changes to work arrangements and liaisons with supervisors, whilst individual-focused interventions (N=12) involved behavior change or exercise programs. We identified only evidence of a moderate quality for either individual or multilevel interventions aiming to improve work ability. The meta-analysis of 13 studies found a small positive significant effect for interventions on work ability [overall pooled mean 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03–0.21] with no heterogeneity for the effect size (Chi²=11.28, P=0.51; I²=0%). Conclusions The meta-analysis showed a small positive effect, suggesting that workplace interventions might improve work ability. However, the quality of the evidence base was only moderate, precluding any firm conclusion. Further high quality studies are require to establish the role of interventions on work ability. by Oakman J, Neupane S, Proper KI, Kinsman N, Nygård C-H. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3689

http://ift.tt/2A4k7mX

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1341: Genotypic and Epidemiological Trends of Acute Gastroenteritis Associated with Noroviruses in China from 2006 to 2016

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1341: Genotypic and Epidemiological Trends of Acute Gastroenteritis Associated with Noroviruses in China from 2006 to 2016

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111341

Authors: Shu-Wen Qin Ta-Chien Chan Jian Cai Na Zhao Zi-Ping Miao Yi-Juan Chen She-Lan Liu

There are periodical norovirus-associated acute gastroenteritis outbreaks around the world. This study aimed to analyze the molecular and epidemiological features of norovirus infections in China during 2006–2016. We extracted epidemiological data from 132 norovirus outbreaks and the norovirus genotyping for 1291 sequences in China over the past ten years. A total of 132 norovirus outbreaks (8133 cases) were reported in China, where the east and south regions were most affected [47.7% (63/132)]. The highest number of outbreaks occurred in 2015. A seasonal pattern has been observed, with a peak from November to the following March. Most of the outbreaks occurred in middle and primary schools, accounting for 28.8% (38/132), and 28.0% (37/132) of outbreaks, respectively. The dominant age group was 10 to 19 years old, responsible for 75.7% (933/1232) of cases. Generally, the dominant genotypes was GII, for 81.9% (1058/1291) of sequences. G II.4 was the predominant genotype in China from 2004 to 2014. However, the GII.17 became more prevalent starting in 2014. Norovirus-associated acute gastroenteritis increased sharply in recent years caused by the emergence of GII.17, but epidemiological features have not changed during 2006–2016. Vigilant surveillance should be strengthened to promptly detect any variation.

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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1342: Desert Dust and Health: A Central Asian Review and Steppe Case Study

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1342: Desert Dust and Health: A Central Asian Review and Steppe Case Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111342

Authors: Troy Sternberg Mona Edwards

In Asian deserts environmental and anthropomorphic dust is a significant health risk to rural populations. Natural sources in dry landscapes are exacerbated by human activities that increase the vulnerability to dust and dust-borne disease vectors. Today in Central and Inner Asian drylands, agriculture, mining, and rapid development contribute to dust generation and community exposure. Thorough review of limited dust investigation in the region implies but does not quantify health risks. Anthropogenic sources, such as the drying of the Aral Sea, highlight the shifting dust dynamics across the Central EurAsian steppe. In the Gobi Desert, our case study in Khanbogd, Mongolia addressed large-scale mining’s potential dust risk to the health of the local population. Dust traps showed variable exposure to particulates among herder households and town residents; dust density distribution indicated that sources beyond the mine need to be considered when identifying particulate sources. Research suggests that atmospheric dust from multiple causes may enhance human particulate exposure. Greater awareness of dust in greater Central Asia reflects community concern about related health implications. Future human well-being in the region will require more thorough information on dust emissions in the changing environment.

http://ift.tt/2iXebcs

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1336: Plant Growth, Antibiotic Uptake, and Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in an Endophytic System of Pakchoi under Antibiotic Exposure

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1336: Plant Growth, Antibiotic Uptake, and Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in an Endophytic System of Pakchoi under Antibiotic Exposure

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111336

Authors: Hao Zhang Xunan Li Qingxiang Yang Linlin Sun Xinxin Yang Mingming Zhou Rongzhen Deng Linqian Bi

Antibiotic contamination in agroecosystems may cause serious problems, such as the proliferation of various antibiotic resistant bacteria and the spreading of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment or even to human beings. However, it is unclear whether environmental antibiotics, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and ARGs can directly enter into, or occur in, the endophytic systems of plants exposed to pollutants. In this study, a hydroponic experiment exposing pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) to tetracycline, cephalexin, and sulfamethoxazole at 50% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels and MIC levels, respectively, was conducted to explore plant growth, antibiotic uptake, and the development of antibiotic resistance in endophytic systems. The three antibiotics promoted pakchoi growth at 50% MIC values. Target antibiotics at concentrations ranging from 6.9 to 48.1 µg·kg−1 were detected in the treated vegetables. Additionally, the rates of antibiotic-resistant endophytic bacteria to total cultivable endophytic bacteria significantly increased as the antibiotics accumulated in the plants. The detection and quantification of ARGs indicated that four types, tetX, blaCTX-M, and sul1 and sul2, which correspond to tetracycline, cephalexin, and sulfamethoxazole resistance, respectively, were present in the pakchoi endophytic system and increased with the antibiotic concentrations. The results highlight a potential risk of the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in vegetable endophytic systems.

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IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1337: Reproductive Investment and Health Costs in Roma Women

IJERPH, Vol. 14, Pages 1337: Reproductive Investment and Health Costs in Roma Women

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph14111337

Authors: Jelena Čvorović Kathryn Coe

In this paper, we examine whether variation in reproductive investment affects the health of Roma women using a dataset collected through original anthropological fieldwork among Roma women in Serbia. Data were collected in 2014–2016 in several Roma semi-urban settlements in central Serbia. The sample consisted of 468 Roma women, averaging 44 years of age. We collected demographic data (age, school levels, socioeconomic status), risk behaviors (smoking and alcohol consumption), marital status, and reproductive history variables (the timing of reproduction, the intensity of reproduction, reproductive effort and investment after birth), in addition to self-reported health, height, and weight. Data analyses showed that somatic, short-term costs of reproduction were revealed in this population, while evolutionary, long-term costs were unobservable—contrariwise, Roma women in poor health contributed more to the gene pool of the next generation than their healthy counterparts. Our findings appear to be consistent with simple trade-off models that suggest inverse relationships between reproductive effort and health. Thus, personal sacrifice—poor health as an outcome—seems crucial for greater reproductive success.

http://ift.tt/2AcdrUN

Effectiveness of a participatory physical and psychosocial intervention to balance the demands and resources of industrial workers: A cluster-randomized controlled trial

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a participatory physical and psychosocial workplace intervention (known as PIPPI) on work ability and recovery among industrial workers. Methods Eligible workers were cluster-randomized into intervention (N=193) and control (N=222) groups. Intervention group members participated in three workshops where they mapped positive and negative aspects of their physical and psychosocial work environment and developed action plans addressing the highlighted issues, which were subsequently implemented by the participants. Questionnaire-based data on work ability and recovery were collected at baseline and 8-, 10- and 12-month follow-up. Data on productivity, well-being, mental health, and physical demands and resources were collected at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Results The intervention was delivered and received as planned (100% planned workshops conducted, 69% [standard deviation (SD) 7%] participation in workshops) and with a response rate of 76% (SD 8%) to the questionnaires. No significant between-group improvements for any of the outcomes were found in intention-to-treat multi-level mixed models. On the contrary, tendencies were observed for poorer recovery and reduced work ability in the intervention compared to control group. Conclusion The intervention did not improve the outcomes. This result can have several explanations, such as a regression-toward-the-mean effect or that the intervention might have put an additional burden on the workers already facing high work demands. In addition, there may have been an insufficient match between the intervention components implemented and the predetermined outcomes, and implementation may have been unsuccessful. These potential explanations need to be investigated using process evaluation data. by Gupta N, Wåhlin-Jacobsen CD, Abildgaard JS, Henriksen LN, Nielsen K, Holtermann A. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3688

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Objectively measured occupational and leisure-time physical activity: cross-sectional associations with sleep problems

Objectives This study aimed to investigate (i) the associations between occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with insomnia symptoms and non-restorative sleep and (ii) the joint associations between OPA and LTPA with insomnia symptoms and non-restorative sleep, respectively. Methods Data were drawn from a cross-sectional study including 650 workers in the Danish PHysical ACTivity cohort with Objective measurements (DPhacto). OPA and LTPA were measured with accelerometers on the thigh and upper back for up to six consecutive days and subsequently divided into quartiles of “very low”, “low”, “medium” and “high” activity. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for insomnia symptoms and non-restorative sleep associated with OPA and LTPA. Results A 10% increase in OPA was associated with a higher prevalence of insomnia symptoms (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.03–1.89) but not with the prevalence of non-restorative sleep (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.71–1.21). On the other hand, a 10% increase in LTPA was associated with a lower prevalence of non-restorative sleep (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.92). Although no significant additive interaction was found, analyses of the joint association of OPA and LTPA showed that people with high OPA and low LTPA had an OR of 2.07 (95% CI 1.01–4.24) for insomnia symptoms, compared to those with low OPA and high LTPA, whereas people with high levels of both OPA and LTPA had an OR of 1.47 (95% CI 0.73–2.96). Conclusions While LTPA was associated with lower prevalence of sleep problems, OPA was associated with higher prevalence of insomnia symptoms. A combination of high OPA and low LTPA were more strongly associated with insomnia symptoms compared to a combination of low OPA and high LTPA. by Skarpsno ES, Mork PJ, Nilsen TIL, Jørgensen MB, Holtermann A. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3682

http://ift.tt/2gVW3LH