Increase In Working Hours Research Articles

Метаморфозы бюджета времени и интенсивность труда работников высокотехнологичных отраслей

This study explores how extensive time and intensive development factors interact during technological transitions by analyzing changes in the time budgets of workers in knowledge-intensive, creative fields. While theoretical literature highlights the growing significance of free time, increasingly influenced by hidden labor activities, this research shifts focus to the systemic and structural changes in time budgets and the ways they affect productivity. The primary objective is to identify the links between time budget transformations and the rising labor intensity in high-tech industries across various countries, united by their accelerated development. The study seeks to create a typology of these metamorphoses in relation to labor intensity dynamics, employing empirical data and correlation analysis based on national statistical groupings. The findings reveal a complex and sometimes contradictory relationship. On one hand, an optimal balance between labor and non-labor time expenditures emerges, shaped by national-cultural values, which influences labor intensification levels. On the other hand, creative labor is subjected to two opposing forms of exploitation: extensive, characterized by increased working hours, and intensive, marked by heightened pressure per unit of time. This study offers insights from cross-country comparisons to inform socio-economic policy adjustments, focusing on balancing labor productivity growth with public consumption. Achieving this balance is vital for sustainable economic development and enhancing workers' quality of life amid rapid technological change.

The effects of Korea’s free childcare policy on women’s time use allocation

ABSTRACT This study applies the DID method to the 3rd and 5th Time Use Survey in Korea to demonstrate the impact of South Korea’s free childcare policy on time allocation of women with preschool children. Estimation results indicate that the free childcare policy increased working hours of married women with preschool children and free time for full-time housewives. These results imply that the free childcare policy promotes women’s work-family balance and prevents women’s career interruptions. It also highlights the reality of daycare facilities-oriented operation which is a characteristic of Korea’s free childcare policy.

Characteristics of Canadians Living With Long-Term Health Conditions or Disabilities Who Had Unmet Rehabilitation Needs During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study.

This study aimed to describe the characteristics associated with unmet rehabilitation needs in a sample of Canadians with long-term health conditions or disabilities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We used data from the Impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians Living With Long-Term Conditions and Disabilities, a national cross-sectional survey with 13,487 respondents. Unmet needs were defined as needing rehabilitation (ie, physiotherapy/massage/chiropractic, speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, or support groups) but not receiving due to the pandemic. We used multivariable modified Poisson regression to examine the association between demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics and unmet rehabilitation needs. More than half of the sample were 50 years and older (52.3%), female (53.8%), and 49.3% reported unmet rehabilitation needs. Those more likely to report unmet needs were females, those with lower socioeconomic status (receiving disability benefits or social assistance, job loss, increased work hours, decreased household income or earnings), and those with lower perceived general health or mental health status. Among Canadians with disabilities or chronic health conditions, marginalized groups are more likely to report unmet rehabilitation needs. Understanding the systemic and upstream determinants is necessary to develop strategies to minimize unmet rehabilitation needs and facilitate the delivery of equitable rehabilitation services.

Burnout and mental health problems among health care workers during second wave of Covid-19 pandemic: A hospital based cross sectional study

Background: Large number of healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 might be at increased risk of developing mental and psychological disorders. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of burnout, depression, anxiety and stress and its correlates. Methods: This was hospital based cross-sectional study using printed Questionnaire conducted during second wave of COVID-19. Total 96 healthcare workers participated in this study. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) were used to measure study variables. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine the associate factors. Results: The symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 31.3%, 40.6 % and 14.6 % respectively. Doctors were 5.2 and 6 fold more likely to experience anxiety and depression respectively. The prevalence of personal, work, and client-related burnout were 43.7%, 31.3% and 14.6% respectively. Younger healthcare workers (HCWs) less than 27 years were 3.5 fold more likely to develop personal burnout. Healthcare workers who had worked for more than 100 hours/week were 5 times more likely to experience personal burnout. Doctors and nurses were 7.9 and 3.5 times more likely to develop work related burnout. Personal, work and client related burnout were significantly correlated with anxiety. Conclusion: This study finds considerate proportion of burnout, depression, anxiety and stress among HCWs. Doctors and younger HCWs with increased working hours had high level of these symptoms. Early identification of mental health disorders and awareness intervention could increase the efficiency and quality of care.

Analysis of the socio-economic benefits of on-grid hybrid solar energy system on Bugala island in Uganda

On-grid hybrid solar energy (HSE) infrastructure has become a popular transitional approach to support local socio-economic development on Bugala island, Uganda. However, studies on the spatial extent of HSE users and empirical evidence on the effects of HSE on education, health, local economy, and access to information on the island are scarce. Through a cross-sectional survey conducted on Bugala island, this study aimed at providing the spatial extent of HSE on the island while analyzing its associated socio-economic benefits among the islanders. Data on HSE users was acquired from Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) and HSE infrastructures while data on socio-economic benefits was collected from a random sample of 357 households and 7 purposively selected key informants using questionnaires, and interview guides respectively. The optmized hotspot analysis results indicated 99 % confidence on HSE users in Kalangala Town Council compared to Mugoye and Bujumba. At a p-values <0.05 %, the ordinal logistic regression results indicated that there was an increase in the time spent by students on scholarly work including revising or studying or doing schoolwork at home (Coef. = 1.73). There was also an increased presence of teachers in schools (Coef. = 1.25), attendance of students to evening lessons (Coef. = 1.03), increased access to healthcare services in medical facilities (Coef. ∼ 1.26–1.77), increased access to information on both climate and agriculture (Coef. = 1.06) and increased working hours among businesses (Coef = 1.38). These results provide a basis for expanding solar energy to other islands. Policies focusing on lowering the energy access costs, streamlining flexible bill payments and connection mechanisms are required to benefit all the islanders. Future studies could focus on other potential renewable energy technologies for the islands as well as estimating the cost of supplying renewable energy to non-electrified islands of Lake Victoria.

The impact of employment on mental healthcare use among people with disability: distinguishing between part- and full-time employment.

Employment can improve mental health among people with disability (PWD), however, little is known about how different levels of workforce participation influence mental healthcare use. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent to which different levels of working hours are associated with changes in mental healthcare use among PWD. Data on working hours and healthcare use among working age PWD who were receiving government benefits (N=260 825) was obtained from Australian Census-linked administrative records between 2011 and 2019. Individual fixed effects panel models were used to estimate the impact of increased working hours on mental healthcare (services and prescriptions). Heterogeneity analyses by job security and key sociodemographic characteristics were conducted. Compared to not working, we found that working 1-14, 15-29, and ≥30 hours per week was respectively associated with a 3.3%, 18.0%, and 9.9% reduction in the use of mental healthcare prescriptions as well as a 6.8%, 18.4%, and 22.3% reduction in the use of mental healthcare services by PWD. The effects were larger for PWD in more secure work and those living in rural and disadvantaged areas. Working more hours was associated with reduced mental healthcare use among PWD. Policy interventions should consider the broader benefits of enabling part-time and secure work placements for PWD, particularly for those living in rural and disadvantaged regions.

Crude Palm Oil Unloading Activities At Mt. Giat Armada 01

Loading and unloading is one of the activities carried out on board both when the ship is docked at the port or ship to ship. However, at the time of loading and unloading that occurred on the ship MT. Giat Armada 01 problems occur so that the loading and unloading process becomes less optimal.The research method that the writer uses in this thesis is qualitative descriptive with the Fishbone approach as a data analysis technique. Fishbone is shaped like a fishbone skeleton whose parts resemble the head and bones of fish. Fishbone is used to determine the causal relationship of the causal factors, the impact they cause, and the efforts made to optimize the handling of loading and unloading on the MT.Giat Armada01. The results of the research conducted, it can be said that loading and unloading handling at MT. Giat Armada 01. is not optimal. caused by the lack of maintenance of the equipment used for loading and unloading, damaged and poorly maintained cargo pump, lack of heating, lack of application of procedures for handling loading and unloading, and the length of the Jetty Batilicin pipe line shore. These factors have an impact on the less optimal handling of loading and unloading during loading and unloading, increased working hours, damage and loss of equipment used to support loading and unloading activities. To overcome these factors, it can be done by carrying out maintenance and checking of each tool used for loading and unloading, carrying out routine repairs and maintenance on the cargo pump, carrying out cargo maintenance, loading and unloading and squezing according to procedures, and always conducting safety meetings. before unloading or loading.

Work it out: Investigating the effect of workload on discomfort and stress physiology of riding school horses

Riding schools play an essential role in the equestrian industry and in education. These establishments are reliant on horses to work for numerous hours, often with riders of different abilities. However, little is known about the impact workload has on the well-being of these horses and effective monitoring of welfare is required for animal-based industries to maintain their Social Licence to Operate. The aim of the current study was to investigate how the quantity of work carried out by riding school horses affects their behaviour and physiology, providing evidence as a starting point to identify suitable levels of work that riding school horses can be used for before their welfare is compromised. Horses (n = 30) were observed 1–2 h after completing their workload on a day of Rest, Moderate (1–2 h) and Hard work (3–4 h). Infrared thermography of eye temperature (IRT) and heart rate variability (RMSSD) were measured as indicators of arousal. The Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) was scored treatment-blind to measure discomfort and pain. No significant difference was found between RMSSD or eye temperature depending on the level of workload, indicating subjects were able to cope with increasing demands. However, there was a significant difference in the HGS score between Rest, Moderate and Hard work (p < 0.001). This indicates a greater degree of discomfort following an increase in hours of work. Another possible explanation for the increase of the HGS score is that tiredness can influence the presence of some of the FAUs (e.g., backward ears and orbital tightening) making it more difficult to discriminate between whether a horse was in pain or the increased score is a consequence of being physically tired after the work. Findings indicate that 1–2 days of working 3–4 h can be appropriate in horses conditioned to the work in well managed riding facilities, however further research is needed to determine how long increased HGS lasts to determine how often days of hard work may occur without impacting welfare.

271 Surgical Trainees’ Burnout During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract Introduction The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly significant for surgical trainees. We aimed to systematically review the prevalence of burnout in surgical trainees during the pandemic, to compare rates of burnout between different specialities, and to identify factors that may modify the risk of burnout. Method A systematic review was performed in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines to identify articles related to the keywords “surgeons’ burnout and Covid-19’’ and “surgical trainees burnout and Covid-19”. A search was performed on PubMed/Medline and ScienceDirect for articles published from January 2020 to August 2022. Results A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria, 3866 surgical trainees included across all the studies. The overall prevalence of burnout in surgical trainees during the pandemic was between 9.0%-95.2% across the globe. Burnout rates were higher in general surgery (33.1%-95.2%) than in urology (17.6%-55%), neurosurgery (16.2 %-44.1%), and orthopaedic surgery(9% - 44.1%). Otorhinolaryngology trainees had the lowest burnout rate (10.9%). Factors associated with an increased risk of burnout included female gender, being a more junior trainee, and increased working hours. Conclusions There has been a high level of burnout amongst surgical trainees across the globe during the pandemic. In light of the devastating effect of COVID-19 on surgical training, and the serious consequences of surgeons’ burnout both for the individual, and for patients, targeted interventions for the prevention and treatment of burnout in surgical trainees are urgently needed and must be prioritised by healthcare institutions and training programmes.

Influences of Financial and Workplace Factors on Physical Therapist Job Satisfaction.

The physical therapist labor market has recently noted higher rates of turnover and job vacancies. An understudied factor contributing to these trends in the profession is job satisfaction. The profession continues to experience relatively low wages compared with other health professions, and graduates of Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs face increasingly high student debt. This study used the labor-search model as a conceptual framework to understand associations between job satisfaction, income, and educational debt. The purpose of this study is to observe the financial and workplace factors that are associated with higher levels of physical therapist job satisfaction. Data from 4764 physical therapists in one state were captured retrospectively through the state's licensure renewal process from 2014-2020. A random-effects panel analysis, with job satisfaction as the dependent variable, was used to evaluate the relationships between job satisfaction and income, educational debt, and a variety of work-related factors. Job satisfaction was negatively correlated with educational debt, number of hours worked per week, and some practice settings. Conversely, job satisfaction was positively correlated with the expected age of retirement. The percentage of time spent in research and administration was also positively correlated with job satisfaction, though additional research in this area is needed to draw meaningful conclusions on this association. The results support the conceptual framework, which suggests that early career physical therapists, motivated by high amounts of educational debt, may choose more financially advantageous practice settings and increased working hours to the detriment of job satisfaction. High levels of job satisfaction among physical therapists are correlated with low levels of educational debt, working 45hours or less per week, a longer time horizon until retirement, and practice settings other than home health and skilled nursing facilities.

Sleep Quality and Poor Sleep-related Factors Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the workload of healthcare workers (HCWs), impacting their health. This study aimed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and identify factors associated with poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, 1000 frontline HCWs were recruited from various healthcare facilities in Vietnam between October 2021 and November 2021. Data were collected using a 3-part self-administered questionnaire, which covered demographics, sleep quality, and factors related to poor sleep. Poor sleep quality was defined as a total PSQI score of 5 or higher. Participants' mean age was 33.20±6.81 years (range, 20.0-61.0), and 63.0% were women. The median work experience was 8.54±6.30 years. Approximately 6.3% had chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 59.5% were directly responsible for patient care and treatment, while 7.1% worked in tracing and sampling. A total of 73.8% reported poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed significant associations between poor sleep quality and the presence of chronic comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 5.24), being a frontline HCW directly involved in patient care and treatment (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.16), increased working hours (OR, 1.84; 95% CI,1.37 to 2.48), and a higher frequency of encountering critically ill and dying patients (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.95). The high prevalence of poor sleep among HCWs in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic was similar to that in other countries. Working conditions should be adjusted to improve sleep quality among this population.

P03 Surgical trainees’ burnout during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Introduction The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly significant for surgical trainees. We aimed to systematically review the prevalence of burnout in surgical trainees during the pandemic, to compare rates of burnout between different specialities, and to identify factors that may modify the risk of burnout. Methods A systematic review was performed in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines to identify articles related to the keywords “surgeons’ burnout and Covid-19’’ and “surgical trainees’ burnout and Covid-19”. A search was performed on PubMed/Medline and ScienceDirect for articles published from January 2020 to August 2022. Results A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria, 3866 surgical trainees included across all the studies. The overall prevalence of burnout in surgical trainees during the pandemic was between 9.0%-95.2% across the globe. Burnout rates were higher in general surgery (33.1%-95.2%) than in urology (17.6%-55%), neurosurgery (16.2%-44.1%), and orthopaedic surgery (9% - 44.1%). Otorhinolaryngology trainees had the lowest burnout rate (10.9%). Factors associated with an increased risk of burnout included female gender, being a more junior trainee, and increased working hours. Conclusion There has been a high level of burnout amongst surgical trainees across the globe during the pandemic. In light of the devastating effect of COVID-19 on surgical training, and the serious consequences of surgeons’ burnout both for the individual, and for patients, targeted interventions for the prevention and treatment of burnout in surgical trainees are urgently needed and must be prioritised by healthcare institutions and training programmes.

Correlation of varying heights with cervical spondylosis.

Objective: To find correlation of varying heights with cervical spondylosis. Study Design: Case Control study. Setting: Department of Orthopedic and Radiology, Patel Hospital, Karachi. Period: June, 2019 to Dec, 2019. Material &amp; Methods: The personal, economical, and demographic features of the 88 cases and 88 controls were compared with the prevalence of cervical spondylosis. All subject’s heights were divided into four categories—short, average, tall and very tall and were correlated with cervical spondylosis as well as the various other characteristics stated above. The weight and height were calculated using the stadiometer and body weight and health scale Z-10, and lateral radiographs were taken using an Agfa Fuji Computerized radiography system. Results and Conclusion: The results showed that the average height individuals had more disease and were obese and it was also in direct relation with the increased working hours. The average height individuals i.e. height of (150-169cm) were prone for the disease and need to adopt measures to reduce the chances of the disease and choose healthy lifestyle for maintenance of healthy BMI range and consideration of good ergonomic tactics at office and moderate working hours.

Does Forward Head Posture Influence Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Somatosensory Processing in Asymptomatic Young Adults?

The current investigation used somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to assess differences in sensorimotor integration and somatosensory processing variables between asymptomatic individuals with and without forward head posture (FHP). We assessed different neural regions of the somatosensory pathway, including the amplitudes of the peripheral N9, spinal N13, brainstem P14, peak-to-peak amplitudes of parietal N20 and P27, and frontal N30 potentials. Central conduction time (N13-N20) was measured as the difference in peak latencies of N13 and N20. We measured these variables in 60 participants with FHP defined as a craniovertebral angle (CVA) < 50° and 60 control participants matched for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) with normal FHP defined as CVA > 55°. Differences in variable measures were examined using the parametric t-test. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between the CVA and sensorimotor integration and SEP measurements. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to compare the SEP measures between groups, with adjustment for educational level, marital status, BMI, and working hours per week. There were statistically significant differences between the FHP group and control group for all sensorimotor integration and SEP processing variables, including the amplitudes of spinal N13 (p < 0.005), brainstem P14 (p < 0.005), peak-to-peak amplitudes of parietal N20 and P27 (p < 0.005), frontal N30 potentials (p < 0.005), and the conduction time N13-N20 (p = 0.004). The CVA significantly correlated with all measured neurophysiological variables indicating that as FHP increased, sensorimotor integration and SEP processing became less efficient. FHP group correlations were: N9 (r = -0.44, p < 0.001); N13 (r = -0.67, p < 0.001); P14 (r = -0.58, p < 0.001); N20 (r = -0.49, p = 0.001); P27 (r = -0.58, p < 0.001); N30 potentials (r = -0.64, p < 0.001); and N13-N20 (r = -0.61, p < 0.001). GLM identified that increased working hours adversely affected the SEP measures (p < 0.005), while each 1° increase in the CVA was associated with improved SEP amplitudes and more efficient central conduction time (N13-N20; p < 0.005). Less efficient sensorimotor integration and SEP processing may be related to previous scientific reports of altered sensorimotor control and athletic skill measures in populations with FHP. Future investigations should seek to replicate our findings in different spine disorders and symptomatic populations in an effort to understand how improving forward head posture might benefit functional outcomes of patient care.

Global Resilience in Plastic Surgery Study (GRIPS): Resilience is Associated with Lower Burnout Rates.

A survey was sent via email to the members of plastic surgery societies (ICOPLAST) and the trainees from (ASPS) Resident Council from November 2021 through January 2022. The data included: demographics, training program characteristics, physician wellness resources, and single item Maslach-Burnout Inventory and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale questionnaire. One-hundred seventy-five plastic surgery trainees responded to the survey. Of these, 119 (68%) trainees from 24 countries completed the full survey. Most respondents 110 (92%) had heard of physician burnout, and almost half of respondents (45%) had burnout. The average Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale score varied significantly amongst trainees self-reporting burnout and those who did not (28.6 versus 31.3, P = 0.008). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that increased work hours per week were associated with an increased risk of burnout (OR = 1.03, P = 0.04). Higher resilience score (OR = 0.92; P = 0.04) and access to wellness programs (OR = 0.60, P = 0.0004) were associated with lower risk of burnout. Burnout is prevalent across plastic surgery trainees from diverse countries. Increased work hours were associated with burnout, whereas access to wellness programs and higher resilience scores were "protective." Our data suggest that efforts to build resilience may mitigate burnout in plastic surgery trainees.

Recovery from the COVID-19 Recession: Uneven Effects among Young Workers?

Abstract In this paper, we examine the labor market recovery from the COVID-19 recession and test for effects of termination of pandemic unemployment insurance programs among 15–24-year-olds. We use data from the January 2016–October 2022 Current Population Survey. Using regression-based methods, we show that while 15–19-year-olds experienced a brisk, full recovery in labor market outcomes from the COVID-19 recession, the recovery was sluggish and incomplete among 20–24-year-olds, with some work outcomes lagging below pre-pandemic norms well into 2022. Termination of pandemic UI programs led to increased work hours and full-time employment among 20–24-year-olds but did not have these effects among 15–19-year-olds.

Changes in work/sleep patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with psychological distress among Japanese workers.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted working life quality. This study investigated whether changes in work/sleep patterns due to the pandemic are related to poor psychological status among Japanese workers during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2020). We hypothesized that workers who experienced drastic changes in working hours and sleep duration would be at an increased risk of psychological distress. A cross-sectional self-administered Internet survey was conducted that included questions regarding socio-demographics, lifestyle, health, and occupational background and conditions. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine the association between psychological distress and a combination of changes in working hours and sleep duration. Among 25,762 workers, decreased work hours and decreased sleep duration presented 2.59 times higher odds of psychological distress (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.05-3.28) compared to those who had no changes in work hours combined with unchanged sleep duration (reference group). Increased work hours and decreased sleep duration were associated with 1.98 times higher odds of psychological distress (95% CI = 1.64-2.39). Our observations confirmed that decreased sleep duration could be a key factor for psychological distress, irrespective of working hours. Interestingly, workers with a combination of decreased work hours and sleep duration posed the highest risk of psychological distress. Decreased work hours accompanied by financial difficulties in the early stage of the pandemic may have caused decreased sleep duration, resulting in a high prevalence of psychological distress. Our study underlined the importance of sleep management in maintaining workers' mental health, moreover, the need to consider situations and conditions of other daily tasks, such as work hours, for better sleep management.

Working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in primary and tertiary healthcare: a comparative cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has globally affected healthcare workers' (HCWs) health and wellbeing. Most studies on COVID-19 have focused on tertiary healthcare. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge on the effects of the pandemic on working conditions in tertiary and primary healthcare. The comparative cross-sectional study consisted of an online questionnaire sent to HCWs of the City of Helsinki (primary healthcare) and Helsinki University Hospital (tertiary healthcare). Altogether 1580 HCWs with direct patient contact participated in the study: 895 from tertiary and 685 from primary healthcare. Statistical analysis used SPSS 25 from IBM. The tests used were the χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression analysis. Primary HCWs were less likely to treat COVID-19 patients (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.37-0.56). However, both groups reported a similar number of COVID-19 infections, primary HCWs 4.9% and tertiary HCWs 5.0%, and workrelated quarantine was significantly more prevalent (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.38-2.79) among primary HCWs. In addition, work-related wellbeing was poorer among primary HCWs than tertiary HCWs in terms of feeling more stressed at work (OR = 3.20, 95% CI: 2.55-4.02), not recovering from work (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39-0.62), reported mental wellbeing below normal levels (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.26-2.00), and increased working hours (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.25-2.12). The study demonstrates how the pandemic has affected the wellbeing and working conditions of not only tertiary but also less studied primary HCWs. The authors' findings suggest that the challenges identified during the COVID-19 pandemic in the health and wellbeing of healthcare workers are even greater in primary care than in tertiary care. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(1):139-50.

Managing Early Years Children at Home: An Investigation into Parental Practices Amidst COVID-19

he lethal COVID-19 has drastically influenced normal life, not of people but of nations across the globe. To curb the spread of the novel virus, global restrictions subjected to the closures of workplaces, shops, malls, and schools had confined people to their houses. While parents, dealt with pressures of financial insecurities, reduced social support, increased work hours owing to online working, and carrying on with the household, thereby emulating teachers to ensure effective online learning had been a real struggle. This study, therefore, aims at understanding the factors, affecting parenting amidst and post COVID-19. The purposeful sample yielded 8 participants comprised of 5 mothers and 3 fathers; who necessarily have one or more children under the age of 6. All participants were conveniently approached through social media. However, to ensure inclusivity, an uneducated mother belonging to the lower middle class was personally approached for participation in the study. Thematic analysis was conducted to deduce meanings from the data gathered through one on one interviews with the participants. Interestingly, the findings revealed that factors affecting parenting differ for both genders. Isolation, though, took its toll on parents, mothers, however, have turned more harsh and aggressive in their dealings with their children. Fathers called COVID-19 as a blessing in disguise, as they had more time to spend with their children. The findings of the study will be beneficial for parents, the government, and society on the whole. There is also a need for counseling services for parents that can help them in addressing their shortcomings while parenting young children in stressful times.

Mental health of community health workers in the COVID-19 context.

This study aimed to analyze the factors related to the mental health of Community Health Workers (ACS) in the COVID-19 context. A total of 1,935 ACS from four Northeastern capitals and four cities in the inland region of Ceará participated. The following data were collected: sociodemographic; professional; SRQ-20; WHOQOL-Bref, exposure to violence, General Self-Efficacy Scale (EAEG), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), COVID-19-related information, and the coronavirus anxiety scale (EAC). Approximately 40.5% had SRQ > 7, signaling high levels of Common Mental Disorders (CMD)/mental health issues. We adopted the Multiple linear (backward) regression. We observed that the increased risk of CMD was influenced by exposure to violence, EAC, not knowing they had COVID-19, not knowing the variables that reduced the risk, the physical and psychological domains of the WHOQOL-Bref, not having increased working hours, and not having had COVID-19. The data reveal the multidimensional dynamics of mental health and help understand the relationship between community violence, COVID-19, quality of life, age, and ESF working time with the mental health of ACS.