Adult Employees Research Articles

Mental illness and sleep disorders among women with gynecological problems

This retrospective cohort study identifies differences between rates of selected mental illnesses and sleep disorders according to eight gynecological problems. Analyses utilize medical claims data for adult employees of a large corporation during 2017–2021. Women with a gynecological problem (most notably pain, endometriosis, pelvic inflammation and bleeding) are significantly more likely to experience mental illness. Several gynecological problems are also significantly associated with sleep disorders. Women with a gynecological problem (vs. none) are 50% more likely to have a mental health problem and 44% more likely to have a sleep disorder after adjusting for age, marital status, dependent children and year. The largest differences between higher (%) mental illness and sleep disorders appear for hyperplasia (6% vs. 45%), cancer (11% vs. 68%), pelvic inflammation (46% vs. 79%) and pain (79% vs. 43%), respectively. On the other hand, the rate of having one or more gynecological problems ranges from 7.1% for women with no mental illness or sleep disorder to 20.6% for women with schizophrenia. Understanding the association between gynecological problems, mental illness and sleep disorders can help clinicians more effectively identify and treat patients.

Universal Safety Planning for Suicide Prevention: CODE RED Initial Feasibility and Acceptability.

Suicide rates have increased in the US over the last decades. Schools often deliver suicide prevention trainings and there is growing evidence that these trainings in schools are effective. The current study examined a new upstream approach, CODE RED in which trainees complete their own safety plan prior to a mental health emergency. Participants were adult school personnel (n = 201) who completed CODE RED trainings and were surveyed using three validated 4-item measures: acceptability of intervention measure (AIM), intervention appropriateness measure (IAM), and feasibility of intervention measure (FIM). Open-ended questions were analyzed using a thematic approach. Of 201 participants who completed the survey, acceptability (18.0), appropriateness (17.9) and feasibility (18.0) were high as assessed by standardized implementation measures (each out of 20). Open-ended responses further indicated a great deal of satisfaction with the training. As a first step in determining acceptability and feasibility, CODE RED was found to be highly acceptable to adult school employees who found it applicable, appealing as an intervention, and easy to use. Most staff are hopeful that it will be useful with youth as well. It will be important to determine how this activity is used by youth and if it can be used in mental health crises to decrease symptoms.

Exploring the Association Between Artificial Intelligence Management and Green Innovation: Expanding the Research Field for Sustainable Outcomes

Green innovation is essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), as it fosters environmental and social benefits while also creating new economic opportunities. Despite previous studies actively conducting empirical analyses on green innovation, research on guiding the green innovation process through artificial intelligence remains scarce. This study aims to explore key variables that affect green innovation, thereby promoting the sustainable development of organizations, and to investigate the incentive mechanisms behind it. By uncovering the internal and external factors that drive green innovation and their interactions, we can better understand and optimize the process of fostering green innovation. Unlike previous studies, this research not only explores variables and verifies main effects but also provides and validates a research model related to the occurrence of green innovation. Additionally, this study determines the extent to which artificial intelligence management influences green innovation through knowledge sharing and examines whether an innovative culture moderates the impact of artificial intelligence management and knowledge sharing on green innovation, as well as whether it moderates the mediating effect of knowledge sharing within the model. Therefore, this study collected data from 331 adult employees of SMEs across 23 provinces, cities, and districts in China and conducted empirical analyses, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis. The results indicate that artificial intelligence management directly affects green innovation and indirectly affects it through the partial mediating role of knowledge sharing. Furthermore, an innovative culture significantly moderates the mediating role of knowledge sharing between artificial intelligence management and green innovation. In exploring the variables of green innovation, this study established an adjusted mediating model and verified its significance. In summary, the causal relationship between artificial intelligence management and green innovation, as demonstrated through this process, contributes to the expansion of the research field and the advancement of SDGs, specifically Goals 9 and 12. The study’s findings highlight the importance of integrating artificial intelligence management to enhance green innovation, which is vital for the sustainable development and economic growth outlined in the SDGs.

Use of Scalp Hair as a Biomarker to Determine Airborne Heavy Metal Concentrations for the Academic Laboratory Employees

Academic chemical laboratories (ACL) are considered public places the employees come in contact with a variety of pollutants. The aim of the current study was to detect heavy metals levels in the indoor air of ACL in two universities in Baghdad city and assess their levels in the academic employees’ scalp hair as biomarkers. Air samples inside ACL were collected to detect Fe, Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu. Scalp hair samples were collected from 40 adult chemical laboratory employees aged 30-60 years, who worked 5 days/week for 6 hours a day. Personal information relating to employees such as age, duration of exposure, smoking habit and sex, was collected as a questionnaire. The results of this study concluded that academic laboratory employees were exposed to high levels of heavy metals which was proven through the use of scalp hair; old ages, prolonged working periods, smoking habit have significant effects in increasing the levels of heavy metals in scalp hair, while the employees’ gender variation did not have a significant effect.

Adding to global knowledge by leveraging mindfulness: revisiting the five facet mindfulness questionnaire in IT/ITES industry

Purpose This study aims to revisit the properties of 24-item version of mindfulness scale proposed by Bohlmeijer et al. (2011) in an Indian context to add to the existing global knowledge base on mindfulness. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was administered to 531 adult employees working in the IT/ITES sector in India. Their responses were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and validity statistics to validate the Indian adaptation of the five-facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ). Findings The findings confirmed that the Indian version of the 24-item short form of the FFMQ (denoted as FFMQ-SF) matches the findings of Bohlmeijer et al. (2011). It can, therefore, provide valuable insights to both employees and management on the benefits of mindfulness in the workplace. Research limitations/implications This paper also presents the limitations of this work along with scholarly and practical implications. It enhances the global understanding of mindfulness, with applications in education, health and well-being, workplaces, social justice, spirituality and personal growth. Originality/value This study justifies and presents a unique instrument for assessing employee mindfulness and is beneficial for both management and employees in navigating the evolving hybrid work environment. It promotes present-moment awareness in a non-judgemental manner, facilitating perspective shifts, improved self-regulation and experiential acceptance. Additionally, the study affirms the five-dimensional structure underlying the mindfulness construct.

Work loss among privately insured employees with overweight and obesity in the United States.

Rising obesity rates in the workforce are accompanied by a hidden cost burden to employers due to work productivity loss. Understanding the impact of obesity on work productivity is essential for employers to provide tailored weight loss interventions in the workplace. To measure work loss and associated productivity costs among employees with overweight/obesity compared with employees with normal weight. This retrospective cohort study used the MerativeTM MarketScan® Health and Productivity Management Database to identify adult employees with ≥1 diagnosis code reporting a body mass index (BMI) between 1/1/2015-12/31/2019. Based on the earliest BMI, employees were assigned to normal weight (BMI 19-24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9), obesity class 1 (BMI 30-34.9), obesity class 2 (BMI 35-39.9), and obesity class 3 (BMI ≥40) cohorts. Among employees with data for each work loss category (absenteeism, short-term disability [STD], long-term disability [LTD], worker's compensation [WC]) during the 12-month follow-up, the percentage of employees with work loss, number of hours/days lost, and associated productivity costs were reported. 719,482 employees (normal weight: 106,631, overweight: 230,637, obesity class 1: 185,850, obesity class 2: 101,909, obesity class 3: 94,455) were included. Outcomes increased with each higher BMI category for the mean number of absence hours ([in order of BMI category]: 262, 273, 285, 290, 304) and percentage of employees with a claim (STD: 6.8%, 7.6%, 9.7%, 11.7%, 17.0%; LTD: 0.4%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.8%; WC: 2.7%, 2.8%, 3.4%, 3.6%, 3.5%). Estimated costs to the employer associated with absenteeism, STD, LTD, and WC were $1,036, $611, $38, and $95 higher per year (respectively) in the obesity class 3 cohort relative to the normal weight cohort. This real-world analysis demonstrated that employees with overweight/obesity had higher loss of work productivity compared with employees with normal weight. Further studies are warranted to determine the long-term impacts on work productivity loss if overweight and obesity are left untreated.

Effectiveness of an online text-based stress management program for employees who work in micro- and small-sized enterprises: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundInternet psychoeducational interventions improve employees' mental health. However, implementing them for employees in micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) is challenging. ObjectivesThis randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of a fully automated text-based stress management program, “WellBe-LINE,” in improving mental health and job-related outcomes for employees in workplaces with fewer than 50 employees. MethodsThe program was developed based on stakeholder interviews and surveys of 1000 employees at MSEs. Adult full-time employees at an enterprise with fewer than 50 employees were recruited from registered members of a web survey company in Japan. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group (1:1). Participants in the intervention group were invited to register for the program using the LINE app. Psychological distress measured by Kessler 6 (K6) was a primary outcome, with self-administrated questionnaires at baseline, 2-month (post), and 6-month follow-ups. A mixed model for repeated measures conditional growth model analysis was conducted using a group ∗ time interaction as an intervention effect. Implementation outcomes were measured through implementation outcome scales for digital mental health (iOSDMH). Results1021 employees were included in this study. No significant effects were shown in any outcome. The reported implementation outcomes were positively evaluated, with 80 % acceptability, 86 % appropriateness, and feasibility (ease of understanding the contents [88 %], frequency [86 %], and length of content [86 %]). ConclusionsA simple text-message program for employees at MESs was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible; however, it did not result in improved mental health or job-related outcomes. Trial registrationUMIN clinical trial registration: UMIN000050624 (registration date: March 18, 2023).

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in Czechia and Slovakia: Quality of life and costs from patient perspective

IntroductionLeber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most frequent mitochondrial disease causing dyschromatopsia and progressive central visual loss that is subacute in progression and painless. Several studies have been published assessing QoL in patients with LHON, but no estimate of the economic burden has been reported to date. This study aims to quantify direct non-medical and indirect costs (productivity loss) incurred by LHON patients and their informal caregivers in Czechia and Slovakia, as well as to assess their quality of life. MethodsThe study was performed in 27 adults and children with LHON. To determine the socioeconomic burden of LHON, separate questionnaires for adults, children, and their parents were developed, including demographic and socioeconomic data. The following data were collected: age, education, family size, severity of LHON, non-medical direct and indirect costs of LHON. ResultsThe mean age of adult respondents was 36.1 years (SD 13.1; n = 21). The total cost of absenteeism was EUR 1003 per person/year in adult employees, and EUR 2711 per person/year in children's parents. The productivity loss as a consequence of LHON due to combined relative absenteeism and relative presenteeism was estimated at EUR 9840 per an adult patient/year, and EUR 6298 per a parent/year, respectively. The mean cost of informal care was estimated at EUR 4502 (SD 4772; n = 6) per person/year. The mean VFQ-25 score for adult patients with LHON was 43.47 (SD 15.86). ConclusionThe results of this study clearly show that patients with LHON and their families face an extensive socioeconomic burden related to this rare disease. Early, timely and appropriate access to diagnosis, treatment, and reimbursement decisions, but also to psychological counselling and services may help the patients and their relatives adapt and cope with the challenging aspects of vision loss and life with the disease.

Periocular Measurements Among Filipino Adult Employees of Dr. Paulino J Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center

Objective:To determine the normative values of interpupillary distance (IPD), intercanthal distance (ICD), outer canthal distance (OCD), and palpebral fissure length (PFL) among a sample of Filipino adults. Methods: Design: Cross-Sectional StudySetting: Tertiary Government Training HospitalParticipants: 300 Filipino hospital employees aged 19 to 65 years old Results: Out of 300 participants, 156 (52%) were men and 144 (48%) were women. The mean IPD was significantly different t(296) = 12.89, p = .00001 between males (62.59mm; SD 1.65) and females (60.29mm; SD 2.07). The mean ICD was significantly higher among males (34.91mm; SD = 1.37) than females (31.19mm; SD = 1.52); t(288) = 9.58, p = .00001. Men had a significantly higher mean OCD (93.05mm; SD 4.14) than women (91.31mm; SD = 3.97); t(298) = 3.73, p = .0002. The PFL was significantly broader among men (32.60mm; SD = 1.25) than women (31.05mm; SD = 0.99);t(291), = 11.96, p = .00001. Conclusion: Our study determined normative values of IPD, ICD, OCD and PFL among a sample of Filipino adults. We found a sexual dimorphism with men having significantly higher values than women.

The impact of time-restricted eating on health-related quality of life: a systematic literature review.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a novel dietary intervention shown to facilitate weight loss and improve metabolic health. However, like any dietary intervention, long-term success largely depends on individual adherence, which can be influenced by whether the intervention impacts the individual's health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Despite the growing body of research investigating TRE as a dietary approach and its potential impact on HR-QoL in adults, to date there has been no systematic review to summarize these findings. To examine the impact of TRE on HR-QoL in adults. All randomized controlled trials, pre-post and pilot/feasibility studies were searched in PubMed, EMBASE via Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO via Ovid until March 20, 2023. Two researchers were involved in the screening and paper selection process. A single researcher extracted all relevant data from eligible studies. Overall, 10 studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Four studies reported improvements in overall HR-QoL scores among participants with type 2 diabetes, middle-aged women with obesity, generally healthy adults, and generally healthy adult employees. Three studies reported significant and nonsignificant improvements in some domains of HR-QoL assessment tools among overweight, sedentary older adults, overweight or obese adults, and 24-hour shift workers. No studies reported that TRE adversely affected HR-QoL. Improvements in HR-QoL appeared to occur primarily at 12 weeks/3 months. There was no clear relationship between HR-QoL scores and TRE protocol, additional study outcomes, participant health status, age, or adherence. Although further research is required to elucidate the impact of TRE on HR-QoL, the findings reveal that no studies show that TRE adversely affects HR-QoL. Open Science Framework (OSF) (The Impact of Time-Restricted Eating on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9NK45).

IJCM_176A: Prehypertension and its association with anthropometric indices among young adult Bank Employees of a city in coastal district of Andhra Pradesh-A cross-sectional study.

Background: Hypertension is a rapidly emerging modifiable lifestyle disease and is often called as the silent killer. Owing to a steady increase in the prevalence it is of public health concern. Hypertension develops gradually preceded by prehypertension as evidenced by longitudinal studies. Bank employees lead a sedentary and highly stressful life that often leads to developing NCD’s such as hypertension. The study aims to assess the prevalence of prehypertension among them. Objectives: 1. To assess the prevalence of Prehypertension among bank employees. 2. To determine the association between various anthropometric measurements and Prehypertension among bank employees. Methodology: A Cross-sectional Study was carried out among the bank employees of urban Kakinada, during October & November 2023 and their hypertension status was assessed. List of banks in the city was obtained and 32 of them were selected by simple random sampling using lottery method. Sample size was calculated using the formula=z2pq/l2 with an allowable error of 15% of prevalence.Prevalence(55.3%) was taken from the study done by Sira Jam Munira and sample size was 140.Young adults(25-44years) of age from the rank of Clerk and above were included in the study. Modified WHO STEPS questionnaire was used to collect data using Kobo toolbox and the data was analysed using MS Excel 2019 and SPSS 21. Prior approval was taken from Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: A total of 308 respondents constituted the study population. The mean age of the participants was 52.80±10.97 years. Among various domains of QOL, mean scores were found to be maximum for environmental domain (54.08± 14.76). Females have lower scores among various QOL domains as compared to their male counterparts. Age was found to be independent predictor for all the domains of QOL. Literacy, monthly family income, presence of self-reported stress and duration of the diabetes were all significantly associated with majority of domains of QOL on multivariate analysis (P<0.05). Conclusion: Advancing age and duration of diabetes were found to be among important predictors of QOL. Conclusion: Young adult bank employees had high prevalence of prehypertension and it was more prevalent among females.

Differential attrition in randomized controlled trials of digital mental health interventions in the workplace: A systematic review and meta-analysis (EMPOWER H2020 project)

IntroductionDigital interventions have been found to be successful in preventing occupational mental health concerns, however, they seem to be affected by attrition bias through high attrition rates and differential attrition. Differential attrition arises when the rates of participant dropouts differ across different treatment conditions and is considered a significant challenge to internal validity.ObjectivesWe aimed at systematically review and meta-analyse differential attrition of digital mental health interventions in the workplace setting.MethodsOn January 2, 2022, we performed a search in the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core. We utilized a combination of terms from five distinct areas, namely mental health, intervention, workplace, implementation, and study design. The study encompassed adult employees who took part in a randomized control trial aimed at preventing mental health issues in the workplace through an online intervention. A team of six reviewers collaborated on the study selection process, while two independent researchers conducted the data extraction for the selected studies. We performed a meta-analysis of the log-transformed relative attrition rates of the included studies using a random-effects model with limited maximum-likelihood (REML) estimation to account for the degree of heterogeneity.ResultsA total of 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. For baseline to post-intervention, the average total attrition was 26.27% (SD = 21.16%, range = 0 – 66.3%) and the random effects model revealed a higher attrition rate in the intervention group compared to the control group, with a pooled risk ratio of 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01 - 1.10, p = .014). For baseline to follow-up measurement the average total attrition was 27.71% (SD = 20.80%, range = 0 – 67.78%), however, in this case the random effects model did not indicate a higher attrition in the intervention group when compared to the control group (pooled risk ratio = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.98 – 1.12, p = .183).ConclusionsThere is an indication of higher attrition in the intervention group as compared to the control group in occupational e-mental health interventions from baseline to post-intervention, however this does not seem to be the case for baseline to follow-up attrition. These results should be taken into account in the design process of studies and statistical analyses should be adapted to counteract the bias that could result from differential attrition.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Prevalence and biological characteristics of acne in adult women employees of a university

Background: Increasingly observed in adulthood, adult female acne is considered a common chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, presenting polymorphic lesions, risk of sequelae and negative impact on quality of life. This is a disease that may persist from adolescence (persistent acne) or manifest de novo in adulthood (late onset acne). Its etiology is multifactorial, and most of patients don’t have any abnormality in plasma androgen levels. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and biological characteristics of acne in adult women, over 25 years, employees of a university in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Material and Methods: Project approved by Institutional Review Board. All participants signed online Consent Form and Authorization for Photography. This was a cross-sectional online study by using a questionnaire which was uploaded at the intranet of the university. It was sent and visualized by 2560 women employees, but just 241 filled the 59 questions. The data are presented in a descriptive way, in number and percentage. Results: We’ve received 9.4% of responses (241/2560); acne was reported by 94.2% (227/241) and 87.2% (198/227) were still suffering from acne. The real prevalence of acne in that population may be estimated in 7.7% (198/2560); 96% of patients reported inflammatory lesions; 58% on face; 68.7% persistent and 8.5% late onset acne. Regarding the severity, 48.5% were mild, 44.9% moderate and 6.6% severe. Familial history of acne was present in 79% of the patients with persistent acne and 81% late onset acne. Polycystic ovary syndrome was observed in 35% of women with persistent acne, 15% have already been treated or were under treatment; on the contrary 21% presented late onset acne and 64% were treated. Psychological impact was reported by 39% of women with persistent acne and 46% used antidepressants. On the other hand, 8% of women with late onset declared psychological disturbances and 30% were in use of antidepressants. Stress was reported by 51% of women with late onset acne. Additionally, 54% and 68% of women with persistent and late onset acne, respectively, reported sleep disturbances. Our study showed that 60% and 55% of women with persistent and late onset, respectively, consumed a diet featuring a high glycemic load, preferably including sweets. Results about the use of skin care during the treatment (persistent X late onset acne) were quite similar: regular use of sunscreen (50% X 58%); moisturizers (30% X 43%) and cleanser for oily skin (42% X 47%). In addition, 32% X 26% were submitted to chemical peeling; 55% X 41% used oral antibiotic, 28% X 26% combined oral contraceptive, 11% X 19% oral spironolactone, and 22% X 13% oral isotretinoin. Conclusions: The prevalence of acne among adult women employees at a university from Sao Paulo, Brazil is high, and the biological characteristic of the disease corroborates many previous studies. It is important to highlight the predominance of persistent acne, mild to moderate, inflammatory lesions, frequent report of ovary polycystic syndrome with low level of medical care and sleep disturbances. The excessive use of oral antibiotics instead of hormonal treatment point out the need of medical education for the management of this disease that causes important negative impact in women’s quality of life.

How Do Mental Disorders and Combinations of Disorders Affect the Odds of Injuries and Poisoning?

Injuries and poisoning are associated with mental disorders. The association may be stronger if comorbid mental illness is involved. This study explores whether selected mental disorders (stress, anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD], schizophrenia) are associated with injuries and poisoning and if the presence and frequency of comorbid mental illness affect these associations. Analyses utilize medical claims data for adult employees of a large corporation during 2017-2021. Approximately half or more of the index mental disorders experience comorbid mental illness. Odds of injury and poisoning are significantly greater for each mental disorder and tend to be significantly greater when comorbid mental illness exists ( vs . the mental disorder alone), especially for the associations involving poisoning. Schizophrenia alone and in combination with other mental illness has the strongest associations with injury and poisoning. OCD is only associated with injury and poisoning, and ADHD is only associated with poisoning, if accompanied by comorbid mental illness.

Supporting future roles of millennials in rural agriculture retail: The role of technology in continuing education solutions

AbstractRural agriculture retailers, or those engaged in the production of food, fiber, and fuel, are pressed to find just‐in‐time solutions for continual learning with their adult employees, specifically millennials, the generation who will assume future leadership roles. Adult educators in rural settings, or lower populated areas, are encountering rapid technological change and need to transform how they impact learners in and out of the classroom through experiential learning. Technological solutions considered an integral component of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives, may provide continual learning avenues for millennial employees. This article offers effective ways to engage millennials in agriculture through facilitating peer mentoring, supporting soft skill development, and building the infinite potential of learning and growth in STEM content.

Microbial Safety Assessment of Gebauer’s Pain Ease® Spray on Invasive Procedural Sites

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the impact of Gebauer’s Pain Ease® (Gebauer Company, Cleveland, OH) topical refrigerant spray on the disinfection of skin sites, focusing on the volar wrist and lower back. The primary objective was to determine whether the application of Pain Ease would compromise the disinfection of these sites, potentially making it a suitable alternative to injectable lidocaine for invasive medical procedures. Methods: This prospective, blinded, controlled study was conducted at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. Healthy adult hospital employees were recruited, and written consent was obtained. Swabs were taken from the volar wrist and lower back sites before and after treatment with ChloraPrep™ (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) and Pain Ease. Microbial cultures were performed, and microbial growth levels were assessed and categorized. Data analysis included comparisons of microbial growth between untreated samples, ChloraPrep-treated samples, and ChloraPrep + Pain Ease-treated samples. Results: Data were collected from 72 participants, with 6 samples per participant (2 locations, 3 treatments each). For wrist samples, there were no statistically significant differences in microbial growth between ChloraPrep and ChloraPrep + Pain Ease. Similarly, for lower-back samples, microbial growth did not significantly differ between these 2 treatment groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the application of Gebauer’s Pain Ease to ChloraPrep disinfected skin areas does not negatively affect the reduction of the bacterial load, supporting its potential as an alternative to injectable lidocaine and other superficial anesthetics for vascular access or invasive medical procedures. However, further research is warranted to explore the application of Pain Ease in various clinical scenarios and optimize patient comfort during longer and more invasive procedures.

The Role of Physical Exercise in the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Manual Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the most common occupational health problem in the European Union. Physical exercise interventions have been investigated in the prevention of WMSDs in many sectors. Therefore, our aim was to assess the effect of physical exercise in manual workers for the primary and secondary prevention of WMSDs. We conducted a systematic search of the literature and papers were included if: the participants were adult employees exclusively engaged in manual labor tasks; non-acute physical exercise intervention; pain, disability, physical functioning, or health-related quality of life outcome, with pre-post intervention measurements. We retrieved 10419 unique records and included 23 studies. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted on the studies with a control group design, using a three level model to estimate the pooled effect for pain outcomes (g = 0.4339, 95% CI : 0.1267 - 0.7412, p < 0.01), and a two-level model for disability outcomes (g = 0.6279, 95% CI : 0.3983 - 0.8575, p < 0.0001). Subset analysis revealed a moderate-to-large effect on the VAS outcome (g = 0.5866, 95% CI: 0.3102 - 0.8630, p < 0.0001). Meta-regression on pain outcomes revealed a significant effect for sex, age, study quality, and body segments tested. The analyses on all outcomes except VAS showed substantial heterogeneity (I2pain = 93%, of which 72% at the study level, I2disability = 78%, and I2vas = 56%, of which 44% at the study level). Physical exercise programs seem to have a positive effect on pain and disability stemming from WRMSDs in manual workers.

Childhood financial difficulty and entrepreneurial intention: The roles of work-family conflict and openness to experience

Drawing upon the theory of underdog or challenge-based entrepreneurship, this study tested a moderated mediation model to answer how and when childhood financial difficulty affects adults’ entrepreneurial intention. It proposes that work–family conflict would serve as a mediation mechanism between childhood financial difficulty and entrepreneurial intention. This study also tested the moderating effect of openness to experience on the relation between work–family conflict and entrepreneurial intention. The data were collected from 217 full-time adult employees in China. Results supported that individuals’ childhood financial difficulty was positively related to the current work–family conflict, which in turn was positively related to their entrepreneurial intention. Additionally, the positive effect of work–family conflict on entrepreneurial intention was stronger when openness to experience was weaker, as was the indirect positive effect of childhood financial difficulty on entrepreneurial intention. These findings have important theoretical and practical contributions.

Effectiveness of Mediterranean diet educational program on the functional gastrointestinal disorders knowledge of employees in the University of Baghdad, Iraq.

A low risk of gastrointestinal disorders in the adult population has long been linked to consuming a Mediterranean diet (MD). The study aims to evaluate the effects of the Mediterranean diet educational program on employee's knowledge regarding functional gastrointestinal disorders. A quasi-experimental study design of two study groups (pre-test and post-test) was carried out at four colleges in the University of Baghdad, Iraq of the period between January 10, 2022 and May 31, 2022. A purposive (non-probability) sample was used with a sample size of (160) employees divided into two groups (80 employees each). The study group of 80 employees was exposed to the Mediterranean Diet educational program while the control group with was not. The results showed a positive effect of the Mediterranean diet educational program on the employees' functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) knowledge in the study group. The study results indicated that there are highly significant mean differences between the study and control groups in the pre-test and the post-test in the specific and general knowledge area of employees' functional gastrointestinal disorders (t = 17.002, df = 158; t = 24.19, df = 158; P value ≤ 0.01). Findings indicated that there were no significant statistical relationships between the level of knowledge of functional gastrointestinal disorders and demographic characteristics except employees' level of education with a high significant association P value ≤ 0.01). The Mediterranean diet educational program effectively improves the employees' knowledge of functional gastrointestinal disorders. These results support the benefit of establishing educational programs for adult employees on the Mediterranean diet to improve individuals' knowledge about the gastrointestinal diseases.

Train to sustain: a randomised controlled trial evaluation of a vitality training employing behaviour-change techniques.

This paper reports on the effects of a 9-week vitality training that employed behaviour-change techniques and was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in three large companies based in the Netherlands. A total of 84 adult employees from three participating organisations in the Netherlands were enrolled in the study. A parallel group RCT design was employed and participants were assigned using individual random assignment to either an intervention (n = 38) or a waitlist control group (n = 46). The intervention consisted of a 9-week vitality training employing the behaviour-change techniques of self-persuasion, implementation intentions, and self-efficacy, which was delivered in-house over five fortnightly 2-hour sessions. Primary outcomes (i.e., reported energy and stress) and secondary outcomes (i.e., reported daily life satisfaction and work capacity) were assessed prior to, immediately after, and 3 months following the intervention. A mixed MANOVA revealed a significant interaction effect between treatment group and time period for the combination of reported energy, stress, daily life satisfaction, and work capacity. Subsequent univariate ANOVAs revealed significant interactions between treatment group and time period for reported energy, stress, and daily life satisfaction; however, not for reported work capacity. Improvements in outcomes were observed for both groups following their completion of the vitality training; however, not all improvements reached statistical significance. Reported self-efficacy regarding managing work-life balance was found to mediate the relationship between the effects of the intervention and reported energy; however, such an effect was not found for stress. An intervention drawing upon evidence-based behaviour-change techniques shows promise for improving indicators associated with burnout; although, it is recommended that in future research a larger-scale evaluation be conducted over a longer time period with an active control group to establish effectiveness.Clinical trial registration: https://www.anzctr.org.au/, ACTRN12622001268730.