Occupational Groups Research Articles

Socioeconomic determinants and self-rated health among hotel housekeepers in the Balearic Islands (Spain).

Hotel housekeepers constitute an important occupational group in the Balearic Islands (Spain). Housekeeping is considered low-skilled and precarious and typically involves high physical demands and time pressure. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between the socioeconomic determinants of health and hotel housekeepers' self-rated health. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Primary Health Care in the Balearic Islands (November 2018-February 2019). Hotel housekeepers over 18 years of age with free access to the Balearic Public Health System who had been employed during 2018 were eligible. We enrolled 1,043 hotel housekeepers; the mean score of health perceived status was 72.4/100 (SD 19.0). Those with a lower self-perceived health were statistically significant older, had Spanish nationality, lower level of studies, permanent or recurring seasonal contract, financial difficulties, a higher level of occupational stress, an external locus of control, reported work-life balance difficulties, were former smokers, insufficiently physical active and obese. We found lower scores in self-perceived health status score of -7.159 (CI95% -10.20- -4.12) among hotel housekeepers with osteoarthritis; -6.858 (CI95% -11.89- -1.82) among those with chronic depression; -3.697 (CI95% -6.08- -1.31) among those who reported difficulties in work-life balance; -2.414 (CI95% -4.69- -0.13) among participants who performed insufficient physical activity; -2.107 (CI% -4.44- -0.23) among those who reported financial strain. Lower self-rated health was also associated to a higher perceived stress, -1.440 (CI95% -2.09- -0.79); BMI (kg/m2), -0.299 (CI95% -0.53- -0.07); and longer time working as HH -0.177 (CI95% -0.33- -0.03). Our results underscore the importance of psychosocial (such as difficulties in work-life balance and occupational stress) and material factors (such as financial difficulties) when explaining differences in self-perceived health. Public health interventions aimed at improving health status must consider inequalities in material and working conditions.

Prevalence and Predictors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Among Teachers in Jazan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common musculoskeletal condition of the hand and wrist frequently associated with repetitive hand motion and environmental considerations. Teachers are more likely to acquire CTS because of their lengthy writing and computer use. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CTS symptoms and related variables among schoolteachers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methods This study was conducted as a cross-sectional survey of teachers in Jazan, utilizing an online platform for data collection. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) was the primary tool used to determine symptom intensity and functional status. The data were rigorously analyzed using a range of statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and binary logistic regression, ensuring the robustness of the findings. Results The study comprised 336 schoolteachers with a mean age of 43.3 ± 6.5 years, of whom 58.0% were female and 42.0% were male. About 8.0% of instructors reported CTS symptoms. Female gender (median Symptom Severity Scale (SSS): 15.0 vs. 12.0, p < 0.001; median Functional Status Scale (FSS): 8.0 vs. 8.0, p < 0.001), increased time spent writing (r = 0.237, p < 0.001 for SSS; r = 0.217,p < 0.001 for FSS), and presence of comorbidities such as diabetes (median SSS: 16.0, p = 0.002; median FSS: 8.0, p = 0.001) had a negative correlation with symptom severity (r = -0.174, p = 0.002) and functional impairment (r = -0.141, p = 0.011). Surgical therapy (median SSS: 32.0; median FSS: 24.0; p<0.001) and post-treatment symptom recurrence (median SSS: 28.0; median FSS: 22.0; p<0.001) were associated with increased severity and disability. According to binary logistic regression, increased writing time significantly predicted CTS diagnosis (OR = 1.151, 95% CI: 1.024-1.295, p = 0.018). Conclusion CTS symptoms are common among Jazan teachers, and various sociodemographic, vocational, and clinical variables influence their intensity and functional status. Ergonomic treatment, early identification, and suitable management measures are critical for preventing and mitigating the effects of CTS among teachers. Additional research is required to develop focused therapies and enhance the results of this occupational group.

Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of phthalate esters in dust deposited in the outdoor environment of Yazd industrial park using Monte Carlo simulation

In this study, the distribution of eight phthalate esters (PAEs), namely (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)) were examined across fifteen sampling stations in Yazd industrial Park. All the PAEs in dust deposited in the outdoor environment were analyzed using a Gas-mass chromatography (GC-MS/MS) device. Both probabilistic and deterministic approaches were utilized to assess the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for adult occupational population groups. These risks were associated with three exposure pathways: inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure to six phthalates in the dust samples. The findings revealed, among the fifteen sampling stations, highest and lowest concentrations of the PAEs in dust deposited in the outdoor environment were observed in S8 and S6, with BEHP (326.21 ± 4.35) μg/g and DMP (0.00 ± 0.02) μg/g, respectively. The total hazard index (HI) values were below one in all samples, indicating that the combined non-carcinogenic health risk from exposure to phthalates via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal pathways is within acceptable levels in each studied area. The total cancer risk (CR) values for BBP across all exposure routes were consistently low, with magnitudes ranging from 10- x 10−15to 10 x 10−11. The order of cancer risk from phthalate exposure in outdoor environments was ingestion > dermal > inhalation. The sensitivity analysis (SA) results indicated that the influential parameters in the carcinogenic risk in adult occupational population groups were concentration for inhalation and dermal pathways, as well as ingestion rate for the ingestion pathway. The result of this study provides new insight in to PAEs pollution and risk assessments related to the dust deposited in the outdoor environment of industrial Park. Furthermore, this finding is beneficial to the controlling the exposure and promoting steps to reduce PAEs contamination and manage health in the industrial area.

Online occupational therapy group training for mothers of children with feeding problems: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to scrutinize how online occupational therapy group training for mothers influenced their attitudes and stress levels relating to feeding their children and the eating behaviours of the children. The secondary purpose of the study is to evaluate the satisfaction of the participants of this program. Twenty-nine mothers of children aged 3-6 years, experiencing feeding issues, were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Feeding problems including selective eating, loss of appetite, and mealtime behaviour problems are prevalent during childhood. Parents play a fundamental role in acquiring knowledge about feeding. Problems in the feeding process may lead to parental stress, feelings of despair, and incorrect attitudes. The mothers in the research group participated in the 4-week training. Results indicated positive effects on both maternal attitudes and their children's eating behaviours (p < 0.05). No significant change was found in mothers' state and trait anxiety levels (p > 0.05). Participants were asked to score their satisfaction level with the program between 1 and 10, and the average of the scores was 9.78 ± 0.42. This study shows that online group education for mothers can support existing treatments and guide clinicians working with children with feeding problems.

Maryland opioid overdose deaths from 2018 to 2022: occupational patterns and their sociodemographic variations

IntroductionWe aimed to describe the occupational pattern of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland between 2018 and 2022 and determine the occupations at higher risk of opioid overdose death.MethodsThe sample included...

Risk Assessment of Obesity among Occupational Groups in Hsinchu Science Park: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Study

&lt;p&gt;目的：肥胖是許多慢性疾病的重要危險因子，其盛行率與職業模式有關。新竹科學園區（以下簡稱竹科）的勞動人口主要從事高科技產業。本研究探討竹科工作人口的肥胖率，以及職業等因素與肥胖之間的相關性，希望能為臺灣不斷增長的高科技產業員工提供健康的建議。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;方法：此混合橫斷研究的資料，取自於2017至2020年期間國立臺灣大學醫學院附設醫院新竹臺大分院新竹醫院健康管理中心的健康檢查資料庫，分析對象是竹科的工作者。肥胖率以身體質量指數(body mass index, BMI)和腰圍為測量標準。評估也納入了體脂率。我們的主要研究指標為肥胖盛行率，將其與國民營養健康調查2017至2020年的數據進行比較。我們亦探討不同性別、年齡或職業等因素對竹科肥胖率的影響。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;結果：本研究共有3,202名竹科工作者納入分析。以BMI評估，過重（27＞BMI ≧24）和肥胖（BMI ≧27）的盛行率分別為25.9%和17.2%。根據腰圍評估，肥胖率（男性 ≧90公分，女性 ≧80公分）為29.3%。與國民營養健康調查相應年齡之一般臺灣人口相比，竹科工作者在19-44歲人口中的肥胖率較低，在45-64歲人口中男性腰圍肥胖率較低。對於肥胖的相關因素，職業別為技術人員（BMI odds ratio (OR)=2.24 (1.27-3.93)；腰圍OR=1.73 (1.05-2.86)）和年齡增加（BMI OR=1.03 (1.01-1.04)；腰圍 OR=1.04 (1.03-1.05)）對肥胖的風險較高。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;結論：竹科工作者的肥胖率低於臺灣一般人口。健康工作者效應、社經地位與健康識能等的影響不能被排除。鑒於技術人員與較高年齡者在肥胖方面的風險較高，家庭醫師面對科學園區工作者時，針對健康促進計畫應給予個人化之健康指導。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Aims: Obesity is a significant risk factor for numerous chronic diseases, and its prevalence is related to occupational patterns. The working population in the Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) is mainly engaged in high-tech industries. This study explores the prevalence of the obesity in the HSP working population and the correlation between obesity and its contributing factors such as occupation, aiming to provide the increasing number of employees in Taiwan&amp;rsquo;s high-tech industries with key health recommendations. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Methods: Data of the pooled cross-sectional study was acquired from the 2017-2020 Health Management Center database at National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, and the participants examined were HSP workers. The prevalence of obesity was measured by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with body fat percentage also incorporated into the assessment. The main outcome of interest was the prevalence of obesity. We compared the population with the data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) during 2017-2020. We also analyzed the association of obesity with the different factors including sex, age, occupation, etc. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Results: There were 3,202 HSP workers included. As measured by BMI, the prevalence of overweight 27＞BMI≧24 and obesity (BMI≧27) read respectively 25.9% and 17.2%. When measured by WC, the prevalence of obesity (WC≧90 cm for males, ≧80 cm for females) was 29.3%. Compared to their counterparts in NAHSIT, HSP workers aged 19-44 years reported a lower prevalence of obesity. For male HSP workers aged 45-64 years, the prevalence of obesity was also lower. Occupation as technicians (BMI OR=2.24 (1.27-3.93); WC OR=1.73 (1.05-2.86)) and older age (BMI OR=1.03 (1.01-1.04); WC OR=1.04 (1.03-1.05)) were identified as factors associated with a higher risk for obesity. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Conclusion: Obesity is less prevalent in HSP workers than in the general population of Taiwan. The healthy worker effect and the influence of socioeconomic status cannot be excluded. In light of their higher risk for obesity, technicians and older workers deserve additional health management measures.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Comparative Analysis of Taste Perception Among Airline Pilots, Construction Workers, and Office Employees.

Objective Occupational exposures may influence gustatory sensations through mechanisms such as fatigue, acute or chronic stress, circadian rhythm disruptions, and exposure to various chemicals. In this cross-sectional study, we sought to compare taste perception across three professional groups, namely airline pilots, construction workers, and office employees, by assessing taste identification times for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors, alongside salivary pH levels. Methods The study cohort consisted of 90 healthy male participants, with 30 individuals in each occupational group, matched for age and professional experience. Salivary pH was measured using pH meter paper, whereas taste identification times were assessed using aqueous solutions applied to dissolvable strips for each taste. Results There were no significant differences in salivary pH among the study groups. However, airline pilots exhibited a significantly longer identification time for sweet taste (9.8 ± 3.9 seconds) compared to construction workers (7.0 ± 3.1 seconds, P < 0.05) and office employees (7.1 ± 3.3 seconds, P < 0.05). Conversely, construction workers demonstrated a significantly prolonged identification time for sour taste (6.1 ± 2.9 seconds) compared to pilots (4.2 ± 2.6 seconds, P < 0.05) and office employees (4.6 ± 2.5 seconds, P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the identification times for salty and bitter tastes across the groups. Conclusion We found significant differences in taste perception among airline pilots, construction workers, and office employees, particularly concerning sweet and sour tastes. These findings suggest that occupational factors may influence gustatory function in a complex manner. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential implications for dietary habits and health within specific occupational groups.

Effectiveness of Medical Massage in Reducing Neck Pain Among Multiple Occupational Groups: A Longitudinal Study.

Neck pain is a common complaint affecting people across various professions, especially those involving prolonged sedentary activities. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medical massage in reducing neck pain among diverse occupational groups in North Macedonia over a 3-year period (2019-2022). A total of 127 participants from various professions such as information technology professionals, bank accountants, textile workers, business sector employees, and secretaries were subjected to one or two massages per month. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale at the start and throughout the study. The statistical methods in this research study included descriptive statistics for summarizing demographic data, comparative analyses to assess the effectiveness of massage therapy on pain reduction, and inferential statistics to determine significance levels and correlations within the data. At the beginning of the study, participants reported an average pain intensity level of 7 on a numerical rating scale from 1 to 10. Over the study period, consistent massage therapy led to a significant reduction in neck pain, with participants reporting an average pain level of 2 in the final months. Crucially, the research revealed that discontinuation of massage sessions, as observed in a subset of respondents who abstained for approximately 4 months, resulted in an escalation of pain intensity. This finding draws attention to the importance of regular massage therapy in sustaining pain relief benefits. The study's outcomes focus on the effectiveness of medical massage in managing neck pain across various occupational backgrounds. This research provides valuable perception in the potential long-term benefits of massage therapy, accenting the need for continued treatment to maintain pain relief among people exposed to neck and back pain. These findings offer essential guidance to healthcare professionals and individuals seeking non-pharmacological interventions for chronic neck pain management.

A RETROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 'CODE WHITE' REPORTING IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ON THE EXTENT OF VIOLENCE IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

The objective of this study was to examine and contrast the incidence of violence reported by White Code in a university hospital in Turkey and to analyse the phenomenon of workplace violence in terms of related variables. The study included 477 cases of violence against health workers reported between 2018 and 2023. The data were collected using a complete census method. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test were employed for the statistical evaluation. Results: The majority of those subjected to violence were doctors (69.6%). The emergency services were the setting in which violence was encountered most frequently (51.6%). It was observed that physicians were exposed to verbal violence more than other occupational groups. There was a difference between years according to the type of violence, and violence was mostly caused by miscommunication. Consequently, it would be beneficial to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of the consequences of violence on healthcare professionals.

Investigating the influence of uncertainty on office building energy simulation through occupant-centric control and thermal comfort integration

Buildings with occupant-centric control (OCC) systems can adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) operations based on occupant status to minimize unnecessary energy use. However, because occupant behavior is stochastic rather than constant, and preferred setpoints can vary across occupant groups, this randomness significantly impacts energy use in buildings with OCC systems.This study used a stochastic simulation approach to model the uncertainty inherent in occupancy patterns and evaluate its impact on the energy consumption of an office building with OCC. In this case, the setpoint temperature was determined based on the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) method so that each zone could be controlled to the preferred temperature according to the occupant group.The results showed that the uncertainty of the annualized sum of electricity consumption for heating and cooling was 4.3 % and 1.8 %, respectively, with 95 % confidence intervals. Notably, a negative correlation was observed between the number of occupants and the uncertainty of energy consumption. Thus, as the uncertainty in the setpoint temperature increased during periods of low occupancy, the uncertainty in the energy consumption of the HVAC system also tended to increase. These insights underscore the significant influence of occupancy-related factors on building energy utilization.

Variation in patient-sharing network characteristics of health care professionals treating different mental and substance use disorder patient sub-groups in primary care.

Providing efficient and targeted services for patients with mental health problems requires efficient collaboration and coordination within healthcare providers, but measuring collaboration using traditional methods is challenging. To explore the patient-sharing networks of professionals taking care of different groups of patients with mental or substance use disorders. We used data that covered adult patients' visits to the primary care service providers of seven municipalities in Finland during year 2021. Data included 8,217 patients (147,430 visits) with mental or substance use disorders who were treated by 1,566 health care professionals. We calculated descriptive network metrics to examine the connectivity of professionals in three different patient groups (patients with substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, and depressive disorders) and compared these characteristics to a network based on all patients. We also analyzed whether patient sharing was associated with the health care professionals' attributes (occupational group, municipality) using Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGM). Diagnosis-specific networks were denser and more connected compared to the all-patients network. Nurses were the most central occupation in all the diagnosis-specific networks and especially in the substance use disorder patients network. When examining all patients, two professionals were more likely to share patients when they belonged to the same occupational group. However, in the network with depressive disorder patients we found the opposite: professionals were more likely to share patients if they were of different occupational groups. Patient-sharing networks within patients with a specific mental or substance use disorders are denser and more connected than networks based on all patients with mental or substance use disorders. In the substance use disorder patients network particularly, nurses were the most central occupation. Multi-professional connections were more likely in depressive disorder networks than in the all-patients network.

Demographic and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Cardiovascular Health Among Construction Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

This study examined cardiometabolic parameters and their relationships among construction workers with varying smoking status. This study examines construction workers' cardiovascular (CV) health status, the variations among gender, age, and education groups, and the interaction between CV health (CVH) variables and health practices. This cross-sectional study included 210 construction workers (159 non-smokers and 51 smokers). Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, and physical activity levels were evaluated. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations between variables. Smokers exhibited higher physical activity levels (p=0.03), while pulse pressure was similar between groups. Body mass index had a weak positive connection with diastolic blood pressure (r=0.147, p=0.034) and pulse pressure (r=0.137, p=0.048). Systolic blood pressure (r=0.697, p&lt;0.001) and pulse pressure (r=0.965, p&lt;0.001) showed strong positive relationships, while physical activity had a modest link with fasting blood sugar (r=0.145, p=0.036). The study highlights the relationships between cardiometabolic factors and physical activity levels among construction workers, emphasizing the potential impact of lifestyle factors on cardiovascular health in this occupational group. About one-fourth of the construction workers accomplished only four of the seven "ideal" CVH markers. Because of their stressful jobs and unhealthy lifestyles, construction workers have a moderate to high risk of CV disease.

How does parental divorce affect children’s long-term outcomes?

Many papers report a negative association between parental divorce and child outcomes. To provide evidence whether this correlation is causal, we exploit idiosyncratic variation in the extent of gender balance in fathers’ workplaces. Fathers who encounter more women in their relevant age–occupation–group at work are more likely to divorce. This result is conditional on the overall proportion of female employees in a firm and on detailed industry affiliation. Parental divorce has persistent, and mostly negative effects on children that differ between boys and girls. Treated boys have lower levels of educational attainment, worse labor market outcomes and are more likely to die early. Treated girls also have lower levels of educational attainment, but they are also more likely to have children at an early age (especially in their teens). However, treated girls lose less in terms of employment. This could be a direct consequence of teenage motherhood, which initiates early entry into the labor market.

CO2 Breathing Prior to Simulated Diving Increases Decompression Sickness Risk in a Mouse Model: The Microbiota Trail Is Not Forgotten.

Decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders is the leading cause of major diving accidents treated in hyperbaric chambers. Exposure to high levels of CO2 during diving is a safety concern for occupational groups at risk of DCS. However, the effects of prior exposure to CO2 have never been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO2 breathing prior to a provocative dive on the occurrence of DCS in mice. Fifty mice were exposed to a maximum CO2 concentration of 70 hPa, i.e., 7% at atmospheric pressure, for one hour at atmospheric pressure. Another 50 mice breathing air under similar conditions served as controls. In the AIR group (control), 22 out of 50 mice showed post-dive symptoms compared to 44 out of 50 in the CO2 group (p < 0.001). We found that CO2 breathing is associated with a decrease in body temperature in mice and that CO2 exposure dramatically increases the incidence of DCS (p < 0.001). More unexpectedly, it appears that the lower temperature of the animals even before exposure to the accident-prone protocol leads to an unfavorable prognosis (p = 0.046). This study also suggests that the composition of the microbiota may influence thermogenesis and thus accidentology. Depending on prior exposure, some of the bacterial genera identified in this work could be perceived as beneficial or pathogenic.

Exploring factors affecting psychological resilience of farmers living in drought-affected regions in Iran: a qualitative study.

Drought, a prevalent consequence of climate change, significantly impacts mental health among farmers. Enhancing psychological resilience is crucial to mitigating these effects. This study aims to explore the concept and factors affecting the psychological resilience of farmers living in drought-affected regions in Iran. This study utilized a conventional qualitative content analysis method. Twenty-six participants, divided into two groups of experts and farmers, were selected through purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted via in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist and was carried out between June 2023 and February 2024. The factors affecting the psychological resilience of farmers living in drought-affected regions were categorized into two main categories with nine subcategories. The first category, environmental factors, included economic factors, socio-cultural factors, drought adaptation methods, government policies, and infrastructural factors. The second category, intra-individual factors, comprised personal characteristics, health factors, psychological factors, and perception and knowledge. The study revealed that both environmental and intra-individual factors influence the psychological resilience of farmers during droughts. It is recommended to implement intervention strategies, such as providing training and education on drought adaptation methods and managing agricultural and healthcare expenses. Further research is needed to expand this concept to various disasters and occupational groups in future studies.

The Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Fairness Scale

Research in psychology, sociology, economics, and other disciplines investigating social justice has identified associations between fair treatment and human well-being. However, the lack of a practical and valid instrument for measuring individual experiences of fair treatment in multiple areas of life has limited the ability to understand the relationship between fairness and wellness. The purpose of these studies was to develop and establish the initial psychometric properties and convergent validity of a scale measuring personal experiences of fairness across various life domains. Development and validation occurred across three studies. Scale development in Study 1 included the generation of items, item revision, and analysis of content validity. A review of existing literature and qualitative data derived from focus group discussions informed the initial pool of items. Cognitive interviews and expert input aided in analysis of content validity and revision of items. Study 2 consisted of confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the performance of items and determine the underlying factor structure of the scale. In Study 3, factor analyses were used to evaluate convergent validity with other fairness-related instruments. Results of the first study supported the conceptualization of fairness along a social-ecological spectrum: experiences of fairness existed in multiple distinct life domains (e.g., interpersonal, occupational, community). Results from the second study revealed a bifactor model with one general Fairness factor and four Interpersonal, Occupational, Community, and Societal ecological group factors. Results from the third study suggested acceptable convergent validity among some subscales and other established instruments, while also suggesting that refinements to the Community fairness subscale might improve the scale. The final 12-item scale demonstrated good reliability. Results of this study produced an instrument able to measure individual experiences of fair treatment across four life domains.

Assessment of Hospital Managers' Sustainable Leadership Levels

This study aims to evaluate the sustainable leadership levels of hospital managers with the participation of healthcare professionals working in public hospitals in Bitlis province. The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on 354 healthcare professionals and the information form and Sustainable Management Behaviors Scale were used as data collection tools. The demographic analysis of the study shows that the majority of the participants are male, under the age of 30 and have a bachelor's degree. In terms of occupational groups, it was observed that other health personnel and nurses were predominant. The findings revealed that the participants generally evaluated the sustainable leadership behaviors of the managers at a level above medium. Especially environmental sensitivity and conservation sensitivity dimensions have high mean values. Nurses were found to have the most negative opinions about managers' sustainable leadership levels, while administrative staff had the most positive opinions. It was determined that positive perceptions were higher for managers who are experienced, act in accordance with ethical principles and adopt the philosophy of continuous learning. The study draws attention to the importance of sustainable leadership practices in the healthcare sector and offers strategic recommendations to increase the leadership capacity of hospital managers.

Factors encouraging participation in social activities after hospital discharge in people with severe mental illness who received occupational therapy.

Occupational therapy (OT), a vital part of psychiatric rehabilitation, encourages participation in social activities, which is critical for the recovery of people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). However, the effects of OT on the subsequent social activities of patients with SMI have not been fully clarified. We aimed to identify the factors that encourage post-discharge social activity participation among patients with SMI who received OT. Patients who underwent OT at the Kyorin University Hospital between April 2016 and March 2020 were retrospectively examined for baseline data during hospitalization and social activity status 1 year after discharge. Occupational support, group adaptation, artistic activities, and exercise programs were considered. Activities requiring social interaction were defined as social activities, including employment, schooling, sheltered work, and volunteer work. Multiple logistic regression analyses using demographic and medical data, prehospitalization social activity status, and OT participation rates as independent variables were used to examine the factors encouraging social activity participation after discharge. Decision tree analysis was conducted to identify patients who specifically needed to increase OT participation. Of 524 eligible patients, 247 were included in the study. The number of patients who were socially active at admission and after discharge was 116 and 188, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the following factors were likely to encourage social activity participation after discharge: higher rates of OT participation to facilitate group adaptation (OR = 1.015, 95% CI 1.003-1.027), being socially active at admission (OR = 4.557, 95% CI 2.155-9.637), and no marital history (OR = 0.293, 95% CI 0.130-0.661). Decision tree analysis showed that for patients who were socially inactive at admission and had a history of marriage, increasing OT participation to 52.6% or higher may ensure social activity participation after discharge. This study identified patients whose social participation after discharge could be boosted by OT that facilitates group adaptation. Our findings would facilitate the development of individualized add-on rehabilitation based on the effects of real-world OT practices.

Online support groups, social identity, and the health and wellbeing of adults with Long Covid: An interview study

AbstractAs many individuals with Long Covid are left without formal support, they have turned to online support groups for help. In a pre‐registered study, interviews were carried out with 21 adults with Long Covid to explore experiences of using online support groups, to understand whether participants felt these experiences influenced their health and wellbeing, and to identify whether group members developed a shared social identity. The reported benefits varied by the nature and size of the online support group: participants reported that smaller groups enabled a sense of community; occupation groups provided work‐specific support; and larger groups helped with symptom management. Interviewees reported that support groups validated members' experiences, made them feel less alone, and enhanced self‐efficacy by providing and offering support and enabling participants to learn new skills. However, negative outcomes were also reported, such as increased fear and reduced wellbeing. Shared identities developed based on mutual Long Covid experiences, shared values towards illness management, and pre‐existing identities. Reported experiences also varied between online support group size (large vs small); type (e.g., advocacy‐focused, yoga‐based, local or international); and platform (video‐ vs text‐based) and throughout the illness. Whilst this study recognises the necessity of medical treatment for Long Covid, we also recommended that individuals with Long Covid explore different support groups to find the most suitable group for them in terms of preferred group features, values towards illness management and enablement of social identities.

Research on the Construction and Practice of Health and Physical Fitness Training Courses for College Students Guided by Occupational Characteristics

With the rapid development of the social economy, the demand for talents is also constantly increasing, especially the demand for healthy physical fitness of college students. However, there are certain problems in the current curriculum of health and physical fitness training for college students, such as a lack of specificity and weak practicality. Therefore, this study is guided by professional characteristics and explores the construction and practice of health and physical fitness training courses for college students, in order to provide theoretical basis and practical reference for the reform of physical education courses in vocational colleges. This study conducted in-depth analysis of the physical fitness needs of different occupational groups through literature review, expert interviews, and other methods, in order to determine the goals and content of the health and physical fitness training course for college students. On this basis, a curriculum system for healthy physical fitness training for college students has been constructed, including aerobic exercise, strength training, flexibility training, balance training, and speed and agility training, among other aspects. This course system aims to comprehensively improve the health and physical fitness level of college students, enhance their career adaptation ability. A college student health and physical fitness training course guided by career characteristics can significantly improve the physical fitness level of college students, enhance their health status, and enhance their career adaptation ability. In addition, the curriculum system also has high practicality and pertinence, which can meet the needs of different occupational groups for health and physical fitness training. This study also puts forward some suggestions for the reform of physical education courses in vocational colleges. Strengthen the construction of the curriculum system, pay attention to the practicality and pertinence of the course content; Pay attention to the construction of the teaching team, improve the professional competence and teaching ability of teachers; Strengthen school enterprise cooperation, fully utilize enterprise resources, and improve the practicality of the curriculum. This study, guided by professional characteristics, explores the construction and practice of health and physical fitness training courses for college students, providing a certain theoretical basis and practical reference for the reform of physical education courses in vocational colleges. In future education and teaching work, we should continue to deepen curriculum reform, improve the quality of talent cultivation, and meet the demand of society for high-quality talents.