Duration Of Employment Research Articles

Lead dust exposure and blood lead levels among workers in used battery recycling factories in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Background: Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) recycling factories produce Lead, which brings health effects among workers. Lead is an environmental and occupational pollutant agent. Lead toxicity is one of the most prevalent occupational and environmental health problems in the world.1 Objective: The main objective of the surveillance was to determine lead exposure levels and associated health effects among workers in ULAB recycling factories in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in two of the ULAB recycling factories (Factory A and Factory B) in Dar es Salaam. The Socio demographic characteristics from 149 workers in the two factories were assessed. Lead exposure levels in air and blood Lead level (BLL) was measured (n=60). Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AOS) used for analysis of Lead exposure level and BLL data and control measure were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results and discussion: The arithmetic mean (AM) age was 30.56 years with standard deviation (SD) 8.66. The mean duration of employment was 82.24(69.55) and 47(57.09) months for Factory A and Factory B respectively. Geometric Mean (SD) for Pb level in air were 307.9(5.08) µg/m3 and 242.9(1.94) µg/m3 for factory A and factory B respectively, which were higher compared to the OEL value of 50 µg/m3by NIOSH and that of 0.5µg/m3 by WHO. The mean Blood Lead Level was 9.36 µg/dL and 17.30 µg/dL for Factory A Factory B respectively. The use of protective equipment was 2.70 % for respirators and 79.90% reported on being provided with a piece of cloth. Conclusion: The study concludes that higher levels of lead in air was associated with the recycling processes at ULAB recycling factories. Workers in these factories had inappropriate PPE in comparison with hazards exposed. The mean Blood Lead level of the workers for factory were higher than the CDC reference value of 5µg/dL whereas at these level workers may experience health effects.

Do abnormally high temperatures stimulate rural labour migration? Evidence from China

ABSTRACT Exploring the implications of climate change on rural labour employment is pivotal for formulating policies to combat the climate crisis. This research utilizes China’s unique and comprehensive individual-level rural data, coupled with nearly three decades of climate-related data to empirically examine the impact of abnormal temperatures on the duration of rural labour employment outside their home counties. The findings reveal that abnormal high-temperature shocks notably prolong the duration of rural labourers working outside their home county. This effect is particularly pronounced among the younger labour force, those lacking agricultural skill training, and individuals residing in provinces with limited grain-production capacity. Labour migration induced by abnormal heat may pose a challenge to agricultural security.

The service life of military constructions from the heritage of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense: between efficiency and adaptability

Romania’s military infrastructure has undergone significant transformations over time. Periods of expansion and modernization have alternated with phases of reduction and, sometimes, the transfer of barracks into civilian administration. These changes reflect not just technological advancements but also the adaptation to the dynamic requirements of national defense.The 2008 infrastructure regulations link the employment duration of military facilities directly to military activity, highlighting the need for a flexible and adaptable infrastructure. In this context, the article examines the legislative framework regarding the amortization of investments, the wear and tear of constructions, and the authorization of works, emphasizing the importance of aligning military regulations with civil ones.In conclusion, the article analyzes the discrepancies between national legislation and military regulations, suggesting revisions and additions to the existing regulations, particularly regarding temporary and semipermanent facilities, to meet the current and future needs of national defense more effectively.

Individual Placement and Support for persons with mental disorders and disability pension: Randomized controlled trial and follow up

IntroductionIndividual Placement and Support (IPS) is a supported employment method used for the vocational inclusion of individuals with mental disorders. There is vast evidence that IPS is effective for finding jobs. However, evidence concerning the applicability of IPS for persons with mental disorders receiving a disability pension and concerning the sustainability of IPS is scarce.ObjectivesThe aim of the studies included in this report was to a) control for the applicability of IPS for persons receiving a disability pension and b) to gain insight in the sustainability of IPS in this context.MethodsA randomized controlled trial with 250 participants was conducted. The participants in the intervention group received job coaching according to the IPS standard. Members of the control group received no organized support but were allowed to seek assistance on their own. The initial phase of the study lasted 24 month. Job coaching was delivered only in the first phase of the study and discontinued after 24 month. A follow up was performed six years after the start of the study to clarify the further course (number of employment relationships, degree of employment, duration of employment, salary).ResultsIn the first phase of the study, the overall dropout rate was 32%. 114 participants (46% of the original number of participants) took part in the follow-up survey. The intervention was superior to the control condition in the first phase. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of number of employment relationships, degree of employment, length of employment, and salary in the follow up.ConclusionsThe effect of a clear superiority of the IPS intervention with regard to the number of employment relationships, which was measured during the originally planned duration of the study, was only slightly detectable six years after the start of the study and up to four years after the end of the intervention and was no longer statistically significant. This result underlines the importance of continuing job coaching for an unlimited period of time, as called for in the IPS concept, in order to perpetuate the positive effects such as finding and maintaining a job in the primary labor market.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The effect of fields of study on the waiting time to employment: evidence from the National Graduate Survey of Canada 2005 and 2009/10 cohorts

ABSTRACT By utilising the National Graduate Survey (NGS) – class of 2005 and 2009/10 – this paper examines the effects of fields of study on the time it takes to find full-time employment that lasts at least six months among graduates of Canadian Universities. Within cohorts, the results suggest considerable differences in the duration to first job after graduation for various fields of study – with ‘Agriculture, natural resources and conservation’, ‘Health and related fields’, and STEM fields like Math, Computer Science, and Engineering landing jobs the quickest, respectively. In contrast, the graduates of ‘Humanities’ and ‘Education’ had the longest duration of finding employment. The results also show large differences between cohorts, with the 2009/10 cohort taking much longer to find employment. Lastly, this paper did not find clear evidence that the effects of fields of study on the duration to exiting unemployment changed across the cohorts.

Effects of occupational exposure on the hematologic parameters among welders

Introduction: The effect of prolonged exposure to welding fumes on blood levels remains an unresolved question. In our study, we aimed to determine the effects of metal fume exposure on various blood parameters in welders. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional. It included all male welding workers admitted to a health institution, a reference hospital for occupational diseases, for 2021. It was conducted with 254 individuals. The variables examined included age, duration of employment, smoking habit, body mass index, hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet counts, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, free prostate-specific antigen, creatinine and manganese levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates. Results: In our study, 40.6% of the welders were between 21-30 years old. 65.7% of the participants have been welding for more than five years. According to body-mass index values, 44.1% of the participants were pre-obese, and 16.9% were obese. 63.8% of the participants were smokers. In 35.8% of participants, hyperglycemia was present, and polycythemia was present in 27.2%. When blood parameters were analyzed, fasting blood glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and sedimentation rate were lower in those who worked less than five years than those who worked five years or more. The difference was statistically significant. In blood test results, leukocyte, glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and sedimentation rate values in welders were correlated with total working time. Conclusion: Welders in our study had a high prevalence of smoking, overweight, and obesity. Working time is correlated with liver enzyme levels and fasting blood glucose values. For healthier workers, employers should fulfill their responsibilities for occupational health and safety.

Measles vaccination coverage and immunization status of nurses: An interventional study in Türkiye

IntroductionHealthcare workers are more likely to contract measles than the general population. Our study aimed to assess measles vaccination and immunization levels among nurses, examine the influencing factors and implement an intervention program to increase immunization coverage. Materials and methodsOur study was conducted in a university hospital in Türkiye. The study included 1012 nurses. It was an intervention study, continued between 01/11/2021 and 30/10/2023. Measles IgG and vaccination status of the participants were evaluated. Participants with negative measles IgG results who had not been vaccinated against measles or received a single dose of the vaccine were invited to the outpatient clinic to receive two doses. Participants who had received two doses of the measles vaccine and had negative measles IgG results were invited to the outpatient clinic for one dose of the measles vaccine. Nine hundred seventy-eight people participated in our study. The access frequency was 96.6%. ResultsAmong the participants aged 21–30, 68.4 % were Measles IgG (+). Measles IgG (+) prevalence was higher in women than men (85.3 % vs. 61.0 %). The department with the lowest measles IgG positivity was intensive care (75.8 %). Measles IgG (+) prevalence became higher as the duration of employment increased. The measles seropositivity in total population rose from 83.1 % before the intervention to 94.3 % after, to 91.8 % in the 21–30 age group, and to 90.2 % in male. Sixteen people had never received measles vaccination. Of the 37 participants who had previously received two doses of measles vaccine, 22 received a single dose and after the intervention 16 (72.7 %) were positive. Only 1 person was found to have vaccine refusal during the intervention. ConclusionExpanding the immunization scope in hospitals by screening for measles antibodies among healthcare personnel and vaccinating those who are seronegative can be considered an effective public health strategy.

A semiparametric model for the cause-specific hazard under risk proportionality

Semiparametric Cox proportional hazards models enjoy great popularity in empirical survival analysis. A semiparametric model for cause-specific hazards under a proportionality restriction across risks is considered, which has desired practical properties such as estimation by partial likelihood and an analytical solution for the copula-graphic estimator. The cause-specific and marginal hazards are shown to share functional form restrictions in this case. The model for the cause-specific hazard can be used for inference about parametric restrictions on the marginal hazard without the risk of misspecifying the latter and without knowing the risk dependence. After the class of parametric marginal hazards has been determined, it can be estimated in conjunction with the degree of risk dependence. Finite sample properties are investigated with simulations. An application to employment duration demonstrates the practicality of the approach.

Assessment of workhour feeding practices, healthy behaviour score and body mass index of physicians in Northern Nigeria: a cross-sectional multi-centre study.

The increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight among health workers calls for an appraisal of their lifestyle. This study assessed medical practitioners' workhour feeding and lifestyle practices and explored the relationship between these practices and their body mass index (BMI). The survey involved 321 medical practitioners selected from 9 northern Nigeria hospitals in 2021. Data collected included biodata, medication history, workhour feeding characteristics, lifestyle behaviours, blood pressure, height, and weight measurements. Data were analyzed using Epi info software (version 7). Most respondents were male (70.7%). Their mean age was 38 ± 7.4 years. During their last workhours, 84.1% had lunch, and 46.4% took sugary drinks. Usually, 41.7% source their lunch from the hospital canteen, and 18.7% patronize their canteen at least weekly. Most reported healthy behaviour towards alcohol consumption (99.7%), fruit and vegetable consumption (54.8%) and smoking (98.4%). However, only 22.4% were physically active. Their mean healthy behaviour score and BMI were 2.8 ± 0.7 and 26.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The obesity and overweight rates were 18.4% and 37.7%, respectively. Their source of lunch during workhours, age, sex, years of practice, employment duration, marital status, job category, systolic blood pressure, anti-hypertensive, and antidiabetic medication use were significantly associated with mean BMI. However, only antihypertensive medication use, being married, inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption and workhour sugary drinks consumption predicted obesity. The predictors of overweight/obese were years of practice (< 10 y) and use of antihypertensive medications. Obesity and overweight rates were high. Most were physically inactive. Workhour sugary drink consumption predicted obesity. Effective workplace and community interventions to improve practitioners' lifestyle behaviour and curtail obesity and overweight are needed.

THE IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL CONTAGION IN NURSES ON MISSED NURSING CARE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Nurses encounter various situations in their work that can affect their emotional status, and they can contagion these emotions to others. These emotions experienced by nurses can influence nursing care. The study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design to explore the impact of emotional contagion among nurses on unmissed nursing care. The research was conducted with 304 volunteer nurses through an online survey. Data were collected using a survey form consisting of a Demographic Information Form, Emotional Contagion Scale, and Missed Nursing Care Needs Scale. The data were analyzed by the researchers. The study revealed that nurses had a moderate level of emotional contagion. Differences in emotional contagion levels were found based on gender, age, educational level, type of institution, marital status, working hours, institutional experience, unit of work, and voluntary choice of job (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, the study showed that the level of missed nursing care among nurses was low. "Communication" was identified as the most significant factor causing missed nursing care. The level of missed nursing care varied according to gender, age, educational status, type of institution, professional and institutional experience, marital status, working hours, unit of work, and duration of employment (p &lt; 0.05). Emotional contagion had a negative impact on the need for missed nursing care (β = -0.150, t = -2.636, R2 = 0.022, p &lt; 0.05), its causes (β = -0.193, t = -3.411, R2 = 0.037, p &lt; 0.05), especially workforce resources (β = -0.249, t = -4.470, R2 = 0.062, p &lt; 0.05), and material resources (β = -0.271, t = -4.898, R2 = 0.074, p &lt; 0.05). To reduce the level of missed nursing care, fostering positive emotions among nurses and promoting their transmission can be utilized as a strategy.

Morbidity profile, hepatitis B vaccination and personal protective equipment usage among sweepers of a medical institute in central India: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionHealth care workers are exposed to a variety of occupational risks making them susceptible to infections, besides being at risk of non-communicable diseases. The objectives of this study were to assess the morbidity pattern and associated factors among sweepers working at a tertiary care centre in Central India. MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2016 to September 2018 among 253 sweepers, who were administered a self-reported questionnaire. Information was collected related to demographic profile, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccination status; and screening for co-morbidities was done using clinical examination and blood tests. ResultsMean duration of employment was 11.9 (±13.0) years. A total of 117 (46.2%) of the 253 sweepers reported one or more chronic conditions and 197 (77.9%) reported one or more systemic problems, most commonly musculoskeletal (113, 44.7%), cardio-vascular (68, 26.9%), ocular (44, 17.4%), dental (36, 14.2%), respiratory (28, 11.1%) and gastrointestinal disorders (16, 6.3%). Total 5s8 (22.9%) participants reported single and 80 (31.6%) reported multiple needlestick injuries, while only 77 (30.4%) had completed hepatitis-B vaccination schedule. Multivariable adjusted analysis revealed that age (Odds Ratio OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00–1.06), male gender (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.65–5.88) and waist hip ratio (OR: 433.19, 95% CI: 5.12–36622.87) were significant predictors of chronic conditions, while female gender, shorter length of service and knowledge about PPE were significant predictors of PPE usage. ConclusionsMost of the sweepers had at least one morbidity, highlighting the importance of periodic health check-ups, training, and awareness programmes. Provision of appropriate PPE and immunization with HBV is also recommended.

Total Quality Management from the Personnel Perspective in Sports Organizations

The primary objective of this research is to explore the perspectives of personnel within sports organizations concerning Total Quality Management (TQM). Specifically, the study targets a sample comprising 127 voluntary institutional personnel employed at the Istanbul Directorate of Youth Services and Sports. To gauge the extent of TQM implementation, the 'Total Quality Management Implementation Factors Scale,' developed by Balcı (2002), was randomly administered to this sample.&#x0D; The research delves into the levels of TQM implementation among the personnel of the Istanbul Directorate of Youth Services and Sports. The acquired data were scrutinized in correlation with variables such as gender, age, education level, duration of employment, title, and job satisfaction.&#x0D; The study investigates the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) among personnel at the Istanbul Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, utilizing the 'Total Quality Management Implementation Factors Scale' developed by Balcı (2002). The research assesses TQM levels in relation to various variables, including gender, age, education level, duration of employment, title, and job satisfaction.

Estimation of lifetime productivity loss from patients with chronic diseases: methods and empirical evidence of end-stage kidney disease from Taiwan

ObjectiveStudies that examine the broad allocation of resources, regardless of who bears the costs, should ideally estimate costs from a societal perspective. We have successfully integrated survival rates, employment ratios, and earnings to address the significant challenge of evaluating societal value through productivity assessments of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in Taiwan.MethodsUsing a theoretical framework, we interconnected two nationwide databases: the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Taiwan Mortality Registry from 2000 to 2017. Due to the statutory retirement age of 65, we collected data on all patients (83,358) aged 25–64 years diagnosed with ESKD and undergoing maintenance dialysis. We estimated the lifetime survival function through a rolling extrapolation algorithm, which was then combined with the monthly employment ratio and wages to calculate the lifetime employment duration and productivity up to the legal retirement age of ESKD patients. These were compared with sex-, age-, and calendar year-matched referents to determine the loss of employment duration and productivity of ESKD patients.ResultsESKD patients experienced a loss of approximately 25–56% in lifetime employment duration and a larger loss of about 32–66% in lifetime productivity after adjustments for different age, sex, and calendar year. The annual productivity loss per male (female) ESKD patient relative to that of the age-and calendar year-matched referent ranges from 75.5% to 82.1% (82.3% to 90.3%). During the periods when they are able to work (over the on-the-job duration) male ESKD patients lose between 34 and 56% of their income, and female ESKD patients lose between 39 and 68% of their income, compared to the age-and calendar year-matched referents. The loss of lifetime productivity is a combination of reduced lifetime employment duration, functional disability, absenteeism, and presenteeism at the workplace. The loss related to presenteeism is implied by the reduced wages.ConclusionsIn addition to the loss of employment duration, we have empirically demonstrated the lifetime loss of productivity in patients with ESKD, also indicating the “presenteeism” resulted from inability to perform their job with full capacity over long-term periods.

Occupational stress and its correlates among healthcare workers of a tertiary level teaching hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundHealthcare workers experience high job stress, contributing to negative health outcomes and poor patient care. This study aims to assess occupational stress and its associated factors among healthcare workers at...

Sağlık Çalışanlarında Ağrı Değerlendirme Tercihleri: Türkiye'den Bir Çalışma

Objective: Pain assessment of individuals with acute or chronic pain while creating a physiotherapy program is of great importance in demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the pain assessment preferences of healthcare providers. &#x0D; Material and Method: We tried to reach different healthcare providers who are dealing with patients suffering from pain, living and working in Turkey via a Google survey. Healthcare providers (aged 18-60) with at least one year of work experience in their field were included. In the questionnaire, age, gender, profession, working time in the profession, institution, acute/chronic patient follow-up, pain severity assessment scale preference, and pain localization assessment preference were questioned. &#x0D; Results: A total of 159 healthcare providers (114 females and 45 males) participated in this survey and replied to the questionnaire. 54.7% of them reported that they preferred the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and 11.9% of them preferred the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS) to evaluate pain intensity. The participants preferred verbal feedback and palpation to determine pain localization. &#x0D; Conclusion: In this survey was conducted in Turkey, health providers’ preferences were found to be similar to the related literature. The results obtained from this survey also indicate that health providers working in Turkey mostly prefer VAS in pain intensity assessment.

Ocular morbidity patterns among metal workers from an unorganized sector: A cross-sectional study

Introduction and Aim: The metal working process has many hazards that the metal workers are exposed to resulting in several health disorders and diseases. However, there is a lack of documented information regarding the prevalence of ophthalmic safety practices and the factors influencing them among metal workers in the Moradabad region or the study area. The aim of the present study is to assess ocular morbidity patterns among the metal workers from an unorganized sector. Methods: We conducted this study to find out the morbidity patterns among the metal workers working in Northwestern Uttar Pradesh, district Moradabad. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 metal workers using a pre-validated structured questionnaire. Results: All the metal workers working, without any formal eye health and safety training. Eye Injury was the most common problem at work. The age of the metal workers, duration of employment &amp; welding hours per day were associated with ocular morbidities among the metal workers. In this study, among 100 metal workers, 18% of workers were suffering from an occupational eye injury. 98% metal workers population don’t have any personal protective eye device.86% of them feel this protective eye device is not so necessary. Conclusion: There is a need for occupational health safety awareness services for metal workers in Moradabad as well as in Uttar Pradesh. While further research may be required to make policy recommendations, the current study provides a baseline morbidity burden among these mental workers to look for interventions to promote health and safety at work for this neglected unorganized group.

Leptospirosis Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Town Service Workers in Kuching, Malaysia

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate town service personnel’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding leptospirosis prevention and the influencing factors to its practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuching, Malaysia, involving town service workers using a self-administered validated questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and KAP information. The eligibility criteria included 18 years old and above and having worked for more than six months. The KAP was determined using descriptive analysis, and associations were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results: About 189 town service workers responded, giving a response rate of 87.5%, and a majority of them were Bumiputera Sarawak, with a mean age of 38.6 (±11.00) years old. The mean duration of employment was 9.3 (±6.99) years. About 88.9% had good knowledge of leptospirosis. Meanwhile, 85.2% and 79.9% had satisfactory attitudes and good practices. The knowledge on the aetiology of leptospirosis ranged from 25% to 94%. No significant association was found between the knowledge score and income with the practice score. The attitude score (AOR 1.161; 95% CI = 1.090, 1.238; p = 0.000) and working experience (AOR 1.174; 95% CI = 1.023, 1.346; p = 0.022) were found to be significantly associated with their practice score. Conclusion: Most town service workers have good knowledge and practice regarding leptospirosis prevention. Workers with good attitudes demonstrate good practising habits toward leptospirosis prevention. Awareness and activities related to disease prevention should be encouraged to ensure the continuity of a positive attitude.

Assessment of Patient Safety Culture in Midwives

Although there may be different definitions in national and international literature, patient safety, in general terms, encompasses all the precautions taken by healthcare professionals in healthcare institutions to prevent harm to individuals as a result of care delivery. It is an indispensable component of quality healthcare services. Patient safety, crucial in all healthcare services, becomes even more significant during the pivotal period of pregnancy, which is a physiological process but also involves a delicate balance between health and illness. Therefore, it is expected that midwives working in the delivery room, in particular, handle patient safety with utmost care. In recent years, with the increase in studies related to the culture of patient safety, the quality, satisfaction, and safety of care provided by midwives have also become subjects of investigation. This thesis aims to assess the levels of patient safety culture perception among midwives working in the delivery room, as well as to evaluate their opinions regarding patient safety and identify the behaviors influencing these opinions. The population of the study consists of midwives working in the delivery rooms of Muş and Bitlis provinces. The sample selection was not applied; all midwives who wished to participate in the study were included. Data analysis was conducted using the computer-assisted SPSS 22.0 software package. Percentage distributions were used in statistical evaluation, and for group comparisons, the significance was determined by the "Chi-square (X2) test" for categorical variables, the "t-test" for comparing means between two groups, and the "one-way ANOVA test" for evaluating the significance of differences among more than two group means. The level of statistical significance was accepted as p&lt; 0.05 for all tests. Midwives' perceptions of patient safety culture were rated as moderate with 57%, and their patient safety ratings were determined to be "very good" with 44.4%. Within the scope of the hospital survey, among the 12 sub-areas of patient safety culture, "teamwork within units" had the highest positive response rate at 79.7%, while "non-punitive response to error" stood out with the lowest positive response percentage at 27.4%. The highest percentage of positive responses in the hospital survey regarding patient safety culture was determined to belong to the statement 'We work together as a team when there is a lot of work that needs to be done urgently, with 85.6%. The lowest percentage of positive responses was for the statement 'We work in crisis mode when there is a lot of work to be done and it needs to be done very quickly,' which was 12.2%." In the conducted comparisons, a significant relationship was found between midwives' working province, age groups, marital status, duration of employment in the institution, duration of work in the unit, professional experience, weekly working hours, and employment status parameters with the percentages of positive responses given to the sub-areas of the hospital survey on patient safety culture. When evaluating patient safety practices in the delivery room, factors affecting working conditions, adequacy of staff numbers, and patient safety should also be taken into consideration. In order for patient safety practices to be carried out comprehensively, regular training, involvement of midwives in the process, and active participation are required.

Regulating seafarers' welfare: an examination of the protection of Filipino seafarers' well-being through a legal analysis of the POEA-Standard Employment Contract.

The Philippines is the global maritime industry's single biggest source of seafarers. This article examines how the Philippines protects the welfare of its seafarers working on board ocean-going vessels. We employed a multi-method approach to better understand the POEA-SEC as a regulatory instrument. First, we analysed Philippine legislation and regulations that are shaping the employment, welfare, and working conditions of Filipino seafarers. Second, we examined the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC) which requires that minimum standards of employment for seafarers are met. We use legal analysis to examine three specific provisions that pertain to their well-being: duration of employment, monetary considerations, and working conditions in terms of hours of work and rest periods. Third, we analysed interview and focus group data on the experiences of Filipino seafarers on board ships in respect of the POEA-SEC's efficacy in protecting their well-being. Analysis of the policy environment for Filipino seafarers shows how the interests of powerful actors have taken precedence over those of Filipino seafarers. Seafarers' experiences suggest that they cannot be reached by the contract, whether symbolic or otherwise. The contract fails to address seafarer issues, such as security of tenure, excessive working hours resulting in fatigue, stress and anxiety. The POEA-SEC falls short as a legal document to address occupational, health and safety issues, which contribute to the detriment of seafarers' health and well-being. This indicates that the Philippine government cannot fully protect its seafarers.

Ischemic heart disease and stroke in male couriers: a cohort study using the national health insurance data and national employment insurance data.

This study aimed to determine the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke among male couriers in Korea by linking the data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employee Insurance (NEI) databases. As of 2015, the NHI and NEI databases were linked using individual IDs. A cohort of male couriers, aged between 20 and 64 years, (N = 5,012) was constructed using the Korean Employment Insurance Occupational Classification (KECO-2007). For comparison, a cohort of male total wage workers (N = 5,429,176) and a cohort of office workers (N = 632,848) within the same age group were also constructed. The follow-up was conducted until 31 December 2020 to confirm the occurrence of IHD and stroke. The diagnoses were defined using the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) codes. The criteria included medical services for more than 1 day of hospitalization or more than 2 outpatient visits. The age-standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated to evaluate the risk of occurrence. The hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using the Cox model after adjusting for age, alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, income level, and employment duration as confounding variables. The SIR of IHD for couriers was 1.54 (95% CI 1.31-1.78), while for office workers, it was 1.08 (95% CI 1.06-1.10), compared to male total wage workers. The SIR for stroke was higher for couriers at 1.84 (95% CI 1.40-2.28) and lower for office workers at 0.86, compared to male total wage workers. Couriers had a higher SIR for stroke at 1.84 (95% CI 1.40-2.28) and lower for office workers at 0.86 (0.83-0.89). Compared to total wage workers, couriers had a significantly higher adjusted HR for IHD at 1.60 (95% CI 1.37-1.87) and a higher HR for stroke at 1.39 (95% CI 1.07-1.79). Compared to office workers, couriers had a significantly higher HR for IHD at 1.34 (95% CI 1.13-1.59) as well as for for stroke at 1.43 (95% CI 1.08-1.88). The incidence of IHD and stroke was higher among male couriers compared to male office workers and total wage workers, highlighting the need for implementing public health interventions to prevent IHD and stroke among couriers.