Longer Work Hours Research Articles

Investigating the impact of teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and psychosocial factors of employees: a review article

Introduction: Advances in technology have increased job flexibility for employees and employers alike. On the other hand, effective teleworking requires planning, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employees to quickly change their workplace from outside to home, without ensuring that the conditions are ready. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of teleworking on musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors in the days of Corona. Materials and Methods: This research was done by a review method. Articles were searched from 2020 to 2023 on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar sites with the key words Ergonomics, Teleworking, MSDs, and COVID19. Results: A total of 93 articles were reviewed. By evaluating the titles, 45 related articles and 30 articles were selected by reviewing the abstracts, and finally 13 articles which full text was available were selected. These articles refer to the study of the effects of teleworking on musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors in the era of Corona. Conclusion: Most of the studies point to the increase of musculoskeletal disorders. Teleworkers have experienced more musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in different areas of the body. Longer working hours with shorter breaks to meet increased work demands, social isolation, lack of support from colleagues, blurred boundaries between work and home, and omnipresence of work are some of the psychosocial and organizational factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. For some employees, teleworking will remain a common way of working in the post-pandemic era. Therefore, it is necessary to identify telework-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and address them with timely telework preventive measures and the individual needs of employees.

The price of pressure: nationwide survey on lifestyle disturbances, occupational burnout and compromised perceived-competency among radiology residents in China.

The competency of radiology directly affects the quality and equity of medical services. Due to their different occupational characteristics compared to other specialists, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of lifestyles on competency and burnout in radiology residents in China. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. A total of 12,208 radiology residents during their standardized residency training in China were invited. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression were conducted to identify perceived competency and burnout associated with lifestyles. Of the 3,666 participants, 58.02% were female, 82.24% were aged <30 years, 40.53% were from the Eastern region, and 92.06% obtained a bachelor's degree. The radiology residents with high-level lifestyles had higher competency (β = 0.16, 95% CI = [0.01, 0.32]), particularly in the realms of sleep, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. The correlation was stronger in residents with longer work hours and more night shifts. Residents with insomnia (OR = 7.69, 95% CI = [4.23, 14.67]) and less exercise (OR = 6.24, 95% CI = [1.33, 29.37]) had higher burnout risk, while residents who smoked had a lower risk (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = [0.40, 0.89]). And lifestyle factors had a slightly different impact on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Radiology residents' lifestyles can be emphasized, as it may reflect their pressure and wellbeing and influence their concentration, competency, burnout and performance. Policymakers and hospital administrators should incorporate practical and modifiable strategies into work routines to improve the lifestyle quality of residents.

Nursing Care and Ethical Challenges in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on healthcare systems across the globe, with nurses playing a pivotal role in managing patient care during this crisis. As front-line caregivers, nurses were not only responsible for delivering essential medical care but also found themselves navigating a series of ethical challenges that were often fraught with complexity. This review delves into the multifaceted role of nursing during the pandemic, focusing on both the clinical care provided and the significant ethical dilemmas faced by nurses. One of the most pressing ethical challenges was the allocation of scarce medical resources. The surge in COVID-19 cases led to critical shortages of ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other medical supplies. Nurses, often collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, were forced to make difficult decisions regarding which patients would receive these limited resources, raising profound ethical concerns about fairness and equity in healthcare. The review highlights the need for transparent, consistent decision-making frameworks that prioritize justice and equity. Such frameworks help ensure that resource allocation is guided by ethical principles rather than subjective judgments, thus fostering a fairer and more consistent approach to patient care. Another significant ethical issue addressed in this review is the balance between personal safety and professional duty. Nurses were often placed in situations where they had to weigh their commitment to patient care against the risks posed to their own health, particularly when faced with shortages of adequate PPE. This balancing act between personal safety and professional obligation introduced ethical dilemmas, such as the extent to which nurses were adequately informed of the risks they faced and whether healthcare institutions fulfilled their responsibility to provide a safe working environment. The review underscores the importance of developing robust infection control measures and ensuring the continuous supply of PPE to safeguard the health and well-being of healthcare workers. Patient autonomy and consent were also critical concerns during the pandemic. The urgency of care for critically ill COVID-19 patients, combined with isolation protocols that restricted family involvement, made it challenging to uphold patients' decision-making rights. The review explores how informed consent processes were affected by the rapid progression of illness and the necessity for immediate medical interventions, often with limited patient or family input. This issue further underscores the need for ethical guidelines that protect patient rights while ensuring timely and effective care. The psychological impact of the pandemic on nurses is another key focus of this review. Nurses faced not only physical exhaustion from long hours of work but also significant emotional strain from witnessing high mortality rates and making difficult ethical decisions. The review emphasizes the need for mental health resources, such as counseling and support groups, to help nurses cope with the emotional toll of their work. Addressing issues such as moral injury, compassion fatigue, and burnout is essential to maintaining a resilient nursing workforce. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive examination of the ethical challenges faced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the critical need for clear ethical guidelines, transparent resource allocation frameworks, protective measures, and mental health support systems. The lessons learned from this pandemic are invaluable for shaping future responses to global health crises, ensuring that nurses and other healthcare professionals are better equipped to navigate the ethical complexities of emergency care.

Impacts of adjacent façades on cognitive performance and psychology of university students in long hours of indoor work

Despite extensive research on window views, those featuring adjacent buildings remain underexplored regarding their impact on window usage habits, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being during long hours of indoor work. To address this gap, we conducted a survey among Chinese university students during Spring 2022 quarantine measures, receiving 502 valid responses. Our study identifies specific characteristics of these views influencing viewing time and satisfaction levels. Furthermore, we find that visual aspects of adjacent façades – transparency, visible activities, brightness, and colour contrast at night – significantly impact academic performance, anxiety, and depression levels, mediated by viewing time and visual memory. Our findings highlight the significance of adjacent-building window views in shaping behaviour, satisfaction, cognitive performance, and psychological well-being indoors, with implications for architectural design and urban planning. We also discuss strategies to enhance satisfaction and mitigate negative effects.

Work-life balance and health among pharmacists: physical activity, sleep quality, and general health

BackgroundPharmacists face unique occupational challenges that can impact their health and well-being. This study examines the relationships between work-life balance factors, physical activity, sleep quality, and general health among pharmacists in Shiraz, Iran.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from 7 August 2021 to 21 November 2021 among 136 pharmacists working in community and hospital pharmacies in Shiraz. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling. The Persian versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (P-IPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (P-PSQI), and General Health Questionnaire (P-GHQ-28) were used to assess physical activity, sleep quality, and general health status, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsLow physical activity was reported by 35.3% of pharmacists, with longer work hours significantly associated with lower physical activity (p = 0.009). Poor sleep quality was prevalent in 57.4% of participants, with no significant associations with demographic variables. General health was categorized as unhealthy for 50.7% of pharmacists, with female pharmacists more likely to be in this category (χ2 = 4.383, p = 0.036). Older pharmacists reported better general health status (Mann-Whitney U = 1792.500, p = 0.024).ConclusionsPharmacists face significant challenges in maintaining work-life balance, evidenced by low physical activity, poor sleep quality, and compromised general health. Targeted interventions, including workplace exercise programs, optimized schedules, and comprehensive wellness initiatives, are needed to support pharmacists’ well-being and enhance patient care quality.

Assessment of occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among heavy vehicle drivers.

Professional driving requires long hours of work, uncomfortable seats, negotiating rough terrain and highways, and possibly minor repairs and other auxiliary transportation duties. Heavy vehicle drivers driving vehicles such as trucks, bulldozers, etc. due to such working structures are more prone to various musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and pain, which is of great concern. In the present study, it is planned to investigate possible ergonomic risk factors such as age, weight, driving exposure, seat suspension systems, lifting heavy weights causing MSDs in drivers of various heavy vehicles. The results of the study are expected to help drivers reduce the risk of MSDs. For the present study, the Nordic questionnaire on musculoskeletal disorders was modified and standardized and was administered to the 48 heavy vehicle drivers randomly selected to collect the data. The analysis divulged that over the past 12 months, lower back pain (LBP) emerged as the most dominant pain experienced by 56% of drivers, followed by knee pain (KP) (43%) and neck pain (NP) (39%) respectively. The prevalence of shoulder pain (SP) was observed to be much lower than in previous literature. The logistic regression model further revealed that increasing age, poor suspension system and poor body posture were significantly associated with lower back pain. Additionally, a poor suspension system and lifting heavy weights had significant effect on the drivers' knee pain. The results demonstrated the evident necessity for ergonomic consideration in vehicle designing and ergonomic training for heavy vehicle drivers.

Community Health Workers’ Challenges during COVID-19: An Intersectionality Study

Abstract Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) as community health workers (CHWs) have been crucial in providing health assistance and information during the COVID-19 pandemic. These CHWs face various challenges, such as discrimination, long hours of work, and low wages, which were exacerbated during the pandemic. The study uses an intersectionality framework to understand CHWs’ marginalization and challenges. A qualitative study with ASHAs and ANMs was conducted in selected primary health centers (PHCs) and subcenters in Suryapet district, Telangana, in 2021. The in-depth interviews of 60 CHWs were analyzed using the software Atlas-ti. The inductive thematic analysis highlighted several challenges faced by CHWs. These challenges include barriers such as discrimination based on class and caste, pay parity, increased workload, lack of training, inadequate safety equipment, and instances of assaults and mistreatment. CHWs, who are often rural women with minimal education, face stigmatization and attacks from community members. They struggled with maintaining records and understanding online training and dealt with rapid adaptation to technology. The study highlights the importance of implementing policies and support systems to protect and empower community health workers. This includes training, fair compensation, safety equipment, and measures against discrimination and violence.

A-183 Examination of the Roles and Responsibilities of Clinical Chemists as Determined by an International Peer Response-Based Survey

Abstract Background Doctoral-level clinical chemists (also termed clinical biochemists) have unique, broad roles in laboratory medicine spanning numerous clinical specialties. However, the full scope of responsibilities for a clinical chemist is not well understood, and institutional recognition and support varies. We sought to better understand the roles and responsibilities of practicing clinical chemists through distribution of an online survey designed to examine work-related responsibilities and other key factors related to job satisfaction. Survey results demonstrate the value of clinical chemists and can be used to promote parity within the profession. Methods Survey data was collected for 5 weeks from 10/10/2022-11/14/2022. The survey was targeted towards individuals holding doctoral level degrees (MD, PhD or MD/PhD), and consisted of 41 questions related to demographics, compensation, duties/responsibilities, and institutional support. Data analysis focused on responses from full-time clinical chemists located in the US and Canada (n=223/298 total respondents). Results Survey responses included male (n=109) and female (n=109) clinicians from all career stages (early &amp;lt;10y, n=101; mid 10-20y, n=63; late &amp;gt;20y, n=59). Clinical chemistry was the primary specialty reported (69%), followed by clinical pathology (16%), with 55% of responses reporting more than one specialty of practice, most often toxicology (21%). Multiple institution types (academic, community, reference laboratory, other) and academic career tracks (clinical, education, research, other) were represented; Most respondents were based in an academic hospital laboratory (n=131/223). Self-reported daily working hours varied by gender, years in practice, job duties and institutional setting; Females reported working more hours than males, working hours increased with years in practice, and the academic hospital setting reported the longest working hours, as did those on an ‘Education’ track. Responsibilities were quantified based on time spent per week; Clinical service represented the greatest time spent per week (majority result, 20-40h/week), followed by administrative (1-20h/week), research (&amp;lt;1-10h/week), teaching (&amp;lt;1-10h/week) and CE (&amp;lt;1-10h/week) duties. Support for clinical responsibilities was assessed further; 69% of respondents felt they had adequate time to perform clinical responsibilities, 55% reported access to adequate resources to perform clinical responsibilities and 51% reported feeling ‘Moderately’ or ‘Very’ stressed by clinical workload assignment. Top reasons for feeling overwhelmed included ‘Understaffing or inadequate support staff’ (n=113 responses), ‘Increased volume of work or caseload’ (n=73 responses) and ‘Lack of IT support to make necessary changes/improvements’ (n=70 responses). Resource quality was individually rated; Medical technologists, research technologists/scientists, LIS support and research support received a ‘Less than adequate’ rating by the majority of respondents, while compensation, administrative support and equipment received majority ‘Adequate’ ratings. Conclusions Clinical chemists work in a wide range of healthcare settings with unique career tracks, although the majority of work hours are devoted to provision of clinical service regardless of role definition. Most or all prioritize clinical work due to limited resources, which can limit research time and academic contributions. Clinical responsibilities are tied to feelings of stress and overwhelm in more than half of the survey population and could be reduced with improved quality and/or quantity of staff support.

Prevalence of compassion fatigue among post-graduate trainees in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

To determine the prevalence of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout and identify the socio-demographic and work-related factors associated with compassion fatigue among FCPS Part-II trainees in Pakistan. A cross-sectional study of FCPS-II trainees was conducted using stratified sampling at multiple centers over six months. Data was collected through an online, self-administered survey, which consisted of the 30-item ProQOL-V and a socio-demographic and work-related characteristics questionnaire. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data was analysed using SPSS 26 for descriptive stats, one-sample t-test, Pearson correlation, and multivariate linear regression at a 95% significance level. Out of 460, only 392 trainees completely filled the online survey (completion rate: 90.74%). The study found that 78.80% of postgraduate trainees experienced moderate levels of compassion fatigue (CF) (Mean = 27.6, SD = 6.3), with moderate burnout (BO) (75.50%, Mean = 26.6, SD = 5.9), while moderately high Compassion satisfaction (CS) (90.60%, Mean = 33.3, SD = 5.5). Compared to normative data, compassion fatigue levels were significantly elevated among post-graduate trainees (p < 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between CF and BO (r =0.59), CF and CS (r = -0.20), and BO and CS (r = -0.63). Factors associated with higher CF included family dependents (p = 0.029), longer working hours (p < 0.001), and inadequate sleep (p < 0.001). Trainees in "Poor" work environments reported higher CF levels than those in "Excellent" environments (p < 0.001). Additionally, engaging in self-care activities such as exercise, prayer, and socialising were associated with lower CF levels (p < 0.05). The study revealed that many postgraduate trainees experience moderate compassion fatigue and burnout, with a strong positive correlation between CF and BO. Compassion satisfaction inversely related to both CF and BO, highlighting the need to boost CS. Factors like longer work hours, poor sleep, family dependents and unfavorable work conditions were linked to higher Compassion Fatigue. Conversely, engaging in self-care practices like prayer, meditation, exercise, and socialising is associated with decreased compassion fatigue levels. These results stress the importance of tailored interventions to enhance trainees' well-being and ultimately improve patient care quality.

Job Satisfaction in Kathmandu's Hospitality Industry: Exploring Work Environment, Compensation, and Employee Retention

The paper discusses the job satisfaction of employees in the hospitality industry, relating to star-rated hotels and high-quality restaurants in Kathmandu. In this sector, which faces long hours of work, high labor turnover, and heavy workloads, the present research study has tried to assess the satisfaction of the employees concerning the work environment, compensation, workload, benefits, job security, and professional development opportunities. Data for this descriptive quantitative research design were obtained from 144 employees from various departments, mainly food and beverage service and food production. The findings showed that workers were satisfied with their remuneration and work-life balance, as well as working conditions in general: 87.5% were adequately compensated, and more than 90% considered work in a positive light. However, a few respondents were not satisfied with how workload is managed and adequate benefits. The study concludes by stating that job satisfaction has a pivotal role in minimizing turnover of workers, improving productivity, and increasing commitment among workers, which thus gives the management a legitimate reason to make it a priority in the industry.

Predictors of body image perceptions among healthcare providers in Terengganu, Malaysia

ObjectivesThe study's aim was to find predictors of body image perception scores among health care providers (HCPs) in Terengganu, Malaysia. MethodsA cross-sectional study among 201 health care providers (HCPs) was conducted from January to March 2023. This study participants were drawn from a pool of HCPs with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher. Body image perceptions were scored using the Malay version of the Body Self-Image Questionnaire-Short Form. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictors of body image perception scores. ResultsAge and longer work hours correlate with higher body satisfaction among HCPs, while higher BMI lowers satisfaction. Nurses typically experience more height dissatisfaction. Higher income is associated with better self-ratings in looks, health, and fitness, but higher education correlates with poorer self-ratings. Married HCPs report lower attractiveness, health, fitness, and self-esteem but are more satisfied with their height. ConclusionThis situational analysis identifies predictors, such as sociodemographic factors and occupational aspects, that can aid in customising interventions to address specific body image concerns among HCPs, with the goal of reducing obesity prevalence among them.

Patient Safety Culture in a Tertiary Referral Hospital: Evidence from a Main Criterion in Accreditation

Objectives: In Iran’s accreditation program, the patient safety dimension is one of the main dimensions, holding the highest weight among the accreditation criteria. The purpose of this study was to identify the patient safety culture (PSC) in a tertiary referral hospital. Methods: The current study was conducted between March and April 2021 in a tertiary hospital in Iran. The sample size was 628 participants, selected through simple random sampling. The hospital survey on patient safety culture (HSOPSC) was used to assess provider and staff perceptions about patient safety issues, medical errors, and event reporting. The survey included 32 items that measure 10 dimensions of PSC. Normality tests, along with non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were used to examine the relationship between PSC and demographic variables using SPSS 22 software. Results: Based on current findings, among the 10 dimensions of PSC, teamwork and organizational learning-continuous improvement received the highest scores (83% positive response), which were higher than these variables in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) data. Conversely, staffing and work pace, as well as hospital management support for patient safety, received the lowest positive scores (43% and 55% positive response, respectively), which were lower than these variables in the AHRQ data. There was a significant positive relationship between dimensions of PSC and older age, female gender, staff with longer working experience, and longer work hours per week (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The majority of our participants felt that patient safety needs to be enhanced. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to emphasize the dimensions of “staffing and work pace” and “hospital management support for patient safety” more in the accreditation criteria to strengthen these dimensions in hospitals. Additionally, we have introduced a comprehensive guide for using an international tool to measure PSC, which hospitals can use to succeed in annual accreditation.

Working Time, Income Inequality, and Life Expectancy: A Longitudinal Analysis of US States, 2005–2018

Previous studies on the relationship between working time and health generally find that longer working hours are detrimental for health outcomes. An unexplored issue in prior research is how other social structures, such as income inequality, can influence the working time/health relationship. Integrating arguments on the health consequences of income inequality and working time, this study considers how income inequality moderates the relationship between working hours and average life expectancy. It is proposed that the effect of working hours on life expectancy is greater in places that have higher levels of income inequality due to the increased precarity, stress and anxiety associated with longer work hours. Examining data from all 50 US states from 2005 to 2018, results from two‐way fixed‐effect models suggest that states with longer average working hours tend to exhibit lower average life expectancy net of other important economic and demographic controls. The models also reveal that the effect of working time on life expectancy is larger in states with higher levels of income inequality. These findings suggest that there are complex linkages between working time and inequality that negatively impact population health.

Turnover intention and its related factors of clinical research coordinator in Hunan, China: a cross-sectional study

To explore the related factors of turnover intention in clinical research coordinators (CRCs) and assess the mediating effects of professional identity on the association between job burnout and turnover intention. In China, CRC has become increasingly common among clinical trial teams in recent years. However, limited published research focused on the status of turnover intention in CRCs. We invited all the 220 CRCs currently working at Hunan Cancer Hospital located in Changsha city in the central south of China from March to June 2018. Participants were asked to complete structured questionnaires regarding basic demographic information, job burnout, professional identity and turnover intention. A total of 202 participants were included in this study, with a response rate of 91.82%. The main reason for turnover intention among CRCs was human resources, followed by communications, management and material resources (per item score in each dimension: 2.14 vs. 2.43 vs. 2.65 vs. 2.83). All the correlations among job burnout, professional identity and turnover intention were statistically significant, with coefficients ranging from −0.197 to 0.615. Multiple liner regression analysis showed that older age, longer workhours per week, and lower level of professional identity were associated with the prevalence of turnover intention among CRCs. Besides, the association between job burnout and turnover intention was fully mediated by professional identity. This study revealed the status and causes of turnover intention among Chinese CRCs. Effective measures on decreasing working time and improving professional identity should be taken in order to reduce CRCs’ turnover intention.

SS33-02 LONG WORKING HOURS AND CVDS: ARE THERE DIFFERENT THRESHOLDS?

SS33-02 LONG WORKING HOURS AND CVDS: ARE THERE DIFFERENT THRESHOLDS?

Analysis Of The Influence Of Motivation and Job Satisfaction On Employee Performance With Length Of Work As An Intervening Variable

Study This aim For analyze influence motivation and satisfaction Work to performance employee with long hours of work as intervening variables at PT. Coca Cola Amatil Indonesia (Central Java). Method research used​ is approach quantitative with technique data collection via distributed questionnaires​ to employees in the company with amount sample as many as 287 employees . Data analysis was carried out use technique analysis path (path analysis) for test connection direct or not direct between variables study . Research result show that motivation and satisfaction Work own influence positive and significant to performance employee . Besides That's a long time of work proven become reinforcing intervening variables influence motivation and satisfaction Work to performance employee . With So , company need notice factors motivation and satisfaction Work as well as considering the length of work employee in effort increase performance they . Study This give contribution for development theory management source Power people and practice in the field , esp in context industry drinks in Indonesia...

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among weavers working in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: cross-sectional study design

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common public health problems throughout the world. It is a major cause of occupational injury, illness, and disability that leads to an increased rate of sick leave, financial costs for both individuals and society and the health care system. Weavers are among the populations exposed to musculoskeletal disorders due to a lack of occupational safety, health services, and poor working conditions. Yet, little is known about WMSD among weavers in Africa particularly in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among weavers.MethodA multi-centered institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia among 424 weavers with a response rate of 97.7%. Participants were recruited randomly after proportional allocation was done for each institution and face-to-face interviews were employed to collect data using a well-structured questionnaire adopted from the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and different literature. The data were entered into Epidata and analyzed using SPSS version (Choobineh A, Lahmi M, Shahnavaz H, Khani Jazani R, Hosseini M. Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 10:157–68, 2004). Variables with a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Finally, variables with an AOR, a 95% confidence interval, and a P-value of < 0.05 were reported.ResultThe annual prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among weavers was 76.3% [CI = 72.2 to 80.2%]. Longer working hours [AOR = 3.48, CI = (1.96–6.21)] lack of back support during sitting [AOR = 2.50 (1.293–4.480)], having repetitive movement in weaving [AOR = 4.11(2.029–8.324)], attaining awkward posture [AOR = 3.37(1.875–6.059)] and job stress [AOR = 4.37(2.447–7.816)] was significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.ConclusionsThis study revealed a high prevalence of WMSDs among weavers. Our study findings reported that longer working hours, lack of back support during sitting, having repetitive movement in weaving attaining awkward posture, and having job stress were significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Lower back pain and associated factors among weavers working in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are widespread among workers of informal small-scale enterprises. Specifically, lower back pain is a prevalent occupational health problem across various industries, including weaving factories. Lower back pain significantly impairs the functioning, performance, and productivity of weavers. However, information on the prevalence and associated factors of low back pain among weavers of Bahir Dar City and nationwide is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain among weavers working in Bahir Dar City. A multicentered institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 weavers in Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia, from April to May 2023 using a structured face-to-face interview questionnaire. Samples were proportionally allocated to each institution, and study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Variables with a P-value < 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were adopted for the multivariate logistic regression analysis after verifying the model fitness. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P-value < 0.05 were considered to identify the associated factors of lower back pain among weavers. The results revealed that the overall annual prevalence of lower back pain was 63.5% (95% CI = 58.8-68.5). Longer working hours [AOR = 2.580 (CI = 1.517-4.384)], lack of back support [AOR = 1.938 (CI = 2.089-3.449)], repetitive movement of the back during weaving [AOR = 5.940 (CI = 2.709-13.02)], awkward posture [AOR = 2.915 (CI = 1.677-5.065), static working posture [AOR = 4.505 (CI = 2.298-8.831)], and job stress [AOR = 3.306 (CI = 1.896-5.765)] were significantly associated with lower back pain among weavers. Lower back pain among weavers was found to be highly prevalent. Working longer hours, lack of back support, repetitive movement of the back, awkward posture, static posture, and job stress were significantly associated with lower back among weavers. The study recommends prompt interventions on weavers to ensure that they use sitting support, weave for <8 h per day, change positions every 2 h, reduce job-related stress, and minimize task repetition, thereby enhancing their working conditions and minimizing the occurrence of lower back pain.

A sweet burden? The effect of bride prices on parents' health

AbstractThe bride price, as an informal institution originated from traditional culture, is pervasive in many areas of the developing world in a form of a payment from the family of the groom to that of the bride at marriage. We study the effects of bride price on parents' health in China. Using information on bride price payment and various health measures from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we find that the bride price significantly reduces self‐reported health among the grooms' parents after addressing the endogeneity issue with average sex ratio within a family computed as an instrumental variable. The reductions are heterogenous across urban and rural areas. Mechanism analysis suggests the negative health outcomes are driven by family debt, heavier psychological stress and longer work hours caused by bride price payments.

Revitalizing motivation for healthcare office workers: An Analysis of Job Diagnostic Survey Through the Lens of Hackman and Oldham's Model

The unprecedented nature of technological advancements, emphasis on the need for superior patient care, and evolving workplace dynamics lead to the need for revitalizing various factors that improve motivation for healthcare workers. The study aims to comprehend motivation for healthcare workers through the intricate lens of the Hackman and Oldham model by conducting a job diagnostic survey. Healthcare is a crucial industry where timely delivery of patient care is prioritized, workers often aim to exceed expectations and stay motivated. The conceptual framework of Hackman and Oldham provides insight into understanding the motivational factors of the job design, employee satisfaction in their role, and channel efforts into improving the same. A key application of the survey can be identifying areas of focus and improvement that can significantly improve motivation levels for employees thereby improving their performance and reshaping the healthcare workforce. A novel approach to research has been adopted, as previous studies have extensively focused on health care workers; however, most have overlooked the challenges healthcare office workers face to support the physicians and nurses at hospitals. The originality of the study stems from this finding as healthcare administrative workers face unique challenges that may be absent in other industries, and with the current nature of jobs post the pandemic, employers have found difficulty in retaining talent, keeping workers motivated, and empowering them to perform. This study will lead to both empirical and practical implications, aims to provide insight to future researchers as well as organizational leaders to acknowledge the newer dynamics of the workplace where healthcare office workers face many struggles in their workplace like long hours of working, stressful work environment, and constant pressure to perform as their performance is directly related to patient care and often involves saving lives, leading to lack of work-life balance; and how motivation resolves these issues. The study is performed on healthcare office workers in a North Texas Hospital and Healthcare organization, by surveying them with the Hackman and Oldham instrument to grasp their motivation levels and provide suggestions to the leadership to assist employees to stay motivated and focused.