Scheduled Research Articles

Maintaining essential health services during COVID-19 in Ghana: a qualitative study

IntroductionEvidence suggests that non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown policies, restriction of movement and physical distancing to control the novel COVID-19 contributed to the decline in utilisation of essential health services....

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO WORK STRESS AMONG EXPATRIATE AIRLINES CREW IN SAUDI ARABIA

Work stress can significantly impact the performance of cabin crew in the airline industry, potentially leading to job errors with critical implications for safety, a paramount concern in the industry. The research focuses on factors influencing work stress among cabin crew, providing a valuable reference for improving both service quality and safety in the industry. The potential key factors that affect work stress, including workload, cross-cultural adjustment, rotating work schedules, interpersonal relationships, organizational relationships, and physical demands, are established through extensive literature reviews. The relevant data were collected from a sample of cabin crews in Saudi Arabia representing various nationalities. The most pertinent factors for the problem setting are determined by applying a multivariate regression analysis, where the theoretical understanding is statistically verified. The analysis suggests that the theory is supported by the sample data with a fitness level of 0.85 in terms of the determination coefficient, implying strong materialization of the theory. Furthermore, the agreement between theory and reality is supported by the ANOVA and t-tests. The study concludes that workload is the most dominant factor affecting work stress, followed by organizational relationships and rotating work schedules. Statistically less significant factors include cross-cultural adjustment, interpersonal relationships, and physical demands.

Hearing of warning sounds under the settings of railway running noise considering age-related hearing loss

Railroad drivers may become drowsy because of their irregular work schedules, such as late nights and early mornings. Therefore, in our research, we developed a system that detects driver drowsiness using images based on facial expressions and issues a warning sound to assist drivers during driving. However, it is necessary to function warning sounds even in loud running noise areas or various running noise qualities to make the system more practical. Moreover, it is necessary to consider the effect of a driver’s age-related hearing loss on the setting of the warning sound volume in noisy environments, even for those who meet the hearing criteria as drivers. This is because the number of elderly drivers in their 60 s will increase in the future. Therefore, we investigated the appropriate volume of the warning sound under various running noise types and levels. Then, we compared it between groups of people in their early 20 s and 60 s regarding their hearing ability and the way they hear warning sounds under running noise. The results provide new insight into the relation between hearing ability and the ability to hear warning sounds under driving noise.

Stochastic models of work and rest schedules

Purpose. To develop stochastic models for determining the duration of work and rest schedules that ensure protection of workers from occupational hazards and a high level of labor productivity during a work shift. Methodology. Analysis of scientific literature was applied to determine the purpose and tasks of the research; methods of formalization – to describe the characteristics, dynamics and states of random processes of accumulation and elimination of the consequences of the negative impact of harmful production factors occurring in an worker within the work and rest schedules; methods of semi-Markov processes theory, theories of reliability and recovery – to build stochastic models of work and rest schedules, determine the conditions and probability of a stable mode of their operation. Findings. Stochastic models were developed to determine the duration of work schedules, at the end of which the level of accumulation of the consequences of the negative impact of harmful production factors in the worker will not exceed the set maximum permissible values with a high probability. And such durations of rest schedules, at the end of which this level will be equal to zero (also with a high probability). The condition for ensuring the stable operation of these schedules throughout the entire period of work experience at the workplace was determined by the author. Originality. For the first time an approach to the development of work and rest schedules at workplaces is proposed, which, contrary to others, is based on determining the probabilities of the levels of accumulation of the consequences of the negative impact of harmful production factors in the worker at the end of these schedules, given the actual random and dynamic characteristics of such impact. This, in turn, allows ensuring the protection of the worker both from accidents caused by the fatigue and from professional illness. Practical value. The proposed approach allows increasing the economic efficiency of the enterprise by ensuring a high level of labor productivity, which is achieved by simultaneous development of the maximum possible duration of work and the minimum possible duration of rest schedules, which exclude the worker’s development and occurrence of fatigue and professional illness with a high probability.

양육스트레스를 겪는 어머니의 부정적 정서 감소를 위한 통합적 접근 상담에 관한 사례연구

Objectives This study was conducted to examine a case of using an integrated counseling theory to reduce the negative emotions of mothers experiencing parenting stress.
 Methods One participant experiencing parenting stress underwent nine counseling sessions over two months and one follow-up session six months later. The counseling was conducted using person-centered and cognitive-behavioral counseling techniques. The counselor maintained a person-centered and cognitive-behavioral attitude, utilized coaching and advice in the areas related to parenting methods.
 Results The participant reported difficulties with emotional regulation when her child behaved differently from what she considered as common sense, as well as difficulties in raising two children alone due to her husband's busy work schedule. Positive changes were observed regarding these issues after the counseling sessions. Upon examining the changes in pre- and post-counseling assessments on the reduction of parenting stress, it was found that the scores of the parenting stress inventory significantly decreased from previously elevated levels to within the normal range. Positive changes were also observed in the expression of negative emotions and the presence of irrational thoughts, as assessed through sentence completion tests.
 Conclusions The participant reported that there was no aggression towards her children even after the end of the counseling period until the follow-up session, indicating a significant positive change. Additionally, she reported trying new things for herself, which suggests that the intervention had a positive impact on her life beyond just reducing negative emotions related to parenting stress.

The Implementation of The Social Role of Sociology Teachers in The Community (Study of Teachers in North Lombok)

This research aims to describe the implementation of the social role of high school sociology teachers in North Lombok within the community and the influencing factors. This is a qualitative descriptive study. The research subjects are high school sociology teachers in North Lombok. The informants are community leaders in the areas where the research subjects reside. Data were collected using interview techniques, observation, and documentary study. Data analysis was conducted through qualitative analysis steps, including data reduction, data presentation, verification/conclusion drawing. The results of the research show that the implementation of the social role of high school sociology teachers in North Lombok in the community includes: (1) as leaders in the community, both formal leaders and informal leaders. Formal leaders serve as village heads, while informal leaders serve as heads of local community organizations, women's groups, and mosque/musalla construction committees. (2) as facilitators in finding donors to support public facility development. (3) as mediators connecting youth with local community leaders to communicate various programs initiated by the youth. (4) as initiators of various activities, including initiating the establishment of Islamic schools, initiating the creation of Quranic reading centers, initiating the renovation of mosques and musallahs, and initiating social service activities. (5) as participants, with sociology teachers actively participating in various community activities, such as community work groups, community cleanup, reforestation, social service activities, sports events, and local community competitions. Factors influencing the implementation of the social role of high school sociology teachers in North Lombok within the community include supporting factors and hindering factors. Supporting factors consist of family support and local community solidarity. Hindering factors include the busyness of the community with unpredictable work schedules and the relatively low level of education in the local community, which makes it challenging to build understanding and awareness among the local population.

Changes in work schedule affect headache frequency among Norwegian nurses: a 3-year-follow-up study

ObjectivesTo explore whether changes in work schedule, number of night shifts and number of quick returns were related to changes in headache frequencies.MethodsA longitudinal study with questionnaire data from 2014...

Work Scheduling in Cloud Network Based on Deep Q-LSTM Models for Efficient Resource Utilization

Work Scheduling in Cloud Network Based on Deep Q-LSTM Models for Efficient Resource Utilization

The Relationship Between Shift Work Patterns and Cognitive Function Disorders in Health Workers at Hospital X, West Java, Indonesia

Introduction: Jobs with shift work patterns, especially irregular ones, can disrupt circadian rhythms and sleep quality, which then impacts cognitive function. Despite its importance, research on cognitive domain vulnerabilities related to shift work patterns is still limited. Sleep quality and cognitive function are critical in the context of hospital health services, where decisions and actions must be taken quickly and precisely to support patient safety.
 Methods: This research is a cross-sectional observational analytical study to determine the relationship between shift work patterns and impaired cognitive function. To measure sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Indonesian (PSQI-Ina) is used, while cognitive function and cognitive domains were measured using Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) Indonesian (OCS-Ina), a cognitive instrument for stroke patients, which has been validated. The minimum sample size in this study was 72 samples. Correlation, principal component analysis, demographic analysis, and regression were used to characterize the relationship between PSQI-Ina, OCS-Ina, and other research variables.
 Results: A total of 83 health workers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the research. The results showed that 16 respondents (19.3%) experienced impaired cognitive function in the Attention domain and 2 respondents (2.4%) experienced impairment in 2 cognitive domains (Attention and Number Management). The results of statistical analysis showed a significant relationship with health workers who had part-time jobs having a 12.8-fold risk (OR 12.8; 95% CI 1.7-91; p = 0.011) of experiencing cognitive impairment. Then health workers who experience poor sleep quality (with a PSQI value >5) have a 40.3 times greater risk (OR 40.3; 95% CI 2.2-708.1; p = 0.011) of experiencing cognitive impairment. Likewise, health workers with irregular shift work patterns have a 5.4 times risk of experiencing cognitive impairment (OR 5.4; 95% CI 0.1-26.6; p = 0.036).
 Conclusion: There is a relationship between shift work patterns and impaired cognitive function in the workplace. Hospitals should prioritize ergonomic shift work schedules, emphasizing speed and clockwise rotation, to support the well-being of their healthcare workers.

Associations of Chronotype, Work Schedule, and Sleep Problems With Work Engagement Experiences in Middle Age-The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of chronotype for work engagement in middle age. We used data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study ( N = 5341) to analyze associations of self-reported chronotype (morning, intermediate, and evening type) with work engagement and its dimensions (vigor, dedication, absorption). We conducted multivariate analyses of variance to examine whether work schedule or sleep problems moderate these associations. Evening types showed lower scores in work engagement and its dimensions than intermediate and morning types, even when work schedule and sleep problems were controlled. Sleep problems emphasized the chronotype-work engagement and chronotype-dedication linkages. Chronotype may play a role in employees' work engagement. In addition, sleep problems seem relevant in terms of chronotype-work engagement linkage.

Guidance on Minimum Standards for Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Adolescent Mental Health: Delphi Expert Consensus on Health, Safety, and Canine Welfare.

As interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and canine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP) grows, there are increasing calls for the management of related health, safety, and welfare concerns for canines, providers, and clients. Existing health and safety guidelines lack empirical support and are, at times, contradictory. Welfare is increasingly prioritized; however, tools to monitor and manage welfare are underutilized and under-reported. The aim of this study was to provide expert consensus on the minimum health, safety, and welfare standards required to develop and deliver a CAP group program to adolescents experiencing common mental health disorders. Diverse AAT experts were recruited globally. Using Delphi methodology, over two rounds, 40 panelists reached a consensus agreement to include 32 items from a possible 49 into the minimum standards. Health and safety measures included risk assessment, veterinary screening, preventative medicine, training in infection control, and first aid. Welfare measures included training in welfare assessment, documentation of welfare, and flexible, individualized responses to promote wellbeing. Intestinal screening for parasites and the prohibition of raw food were not supported. Flexible and individualized assessment and management of canine welfare were supported over fixed and time-limited work schedules. Clinical practice implications are discussed, and recommendations are made.

Теоретическое обоснование моделирования содержание ключевых компонентов оздоровительной тренировки работников сельскохозяйственного предприятия

Agricultural workers face a number of factors on a daily basis that negatively affect their health. These are irregular work schedules, physical activities associated with the peculiarities of agricultural production, and negative environmental impacts. Wellness training is an effective tool in maintaining the health and improving the efficiency of staff. One of the most popular forms of wellness training is circular training. Modeling the key components of such training plays an important role in achieving the desired results. Keywords: WELLNESS TRAINING, PRINCIPLES, METHODS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, REST INTERVAL, FATIGUE, HARDENING

Changes in the labour market: the perceptions of Romanian employees regarding the use of telework in the post-pandemic period

PurposeAlmost four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes in the labour market and legislation, but also in people's lives, do not stop. At the same time, employees' perceptions regarding the change in the legislative and contractual framework, as well as in the working conditions and the use of telework, also change. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to identify the perceptions of employees regarding the use of telework in the post-pandemic period.Design/methodology/approachThe research was based on a survey carried out on 128 teleworkers in the post-pandemic period. The statistical hypotheses were tested using Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Kruskal–Wallis tests, multiple linear regression and pairwise comparison analysis.FindingsThe results of the study demonstrate that the modification of the legislative and contractual framework and of the working conditions, as well as of the way of using information and communication technology in the post-pandemic era, generates a positive and significant impact on the use of telework by employees. Some of the main advantages valued by teleworkers included the possibility of benefitting from a flexible work schedule and the possibility of reducing transport costs.Originality/valueThe study highlights the need to continuously develop and update labour policies and strategies in line with current and future labour market requirements, considering the implications of telework on the perceptions of employees, so that government organisations and managers who want to protect the rights and interests of teleworkers, aspects of their lives and organise an appropriate work environment manage to do so in order to achieve the expected results.

Fatigue Risk Factors Of Offshore Oil And Gas Workers: A Systematic Review

Many offshore oil and gas workers experience fatigue due to shift work schedules, excessive working hours, lack of sleep, heavy workloads, and harsh environmental factors. Fatigue has the potential to impact an individual's performance, alertness, and overall health and safety. The objective of this research is to identify risk factors for fatigue in offshore oil and gas workers so that preventive measures can be taken. This research is a systematic review using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) to identify, select, and synthesize studies. Search via the central database, namely ScienceDirect. The publication period used is 2017-2024 with the keywords "Occupational Fatigue" AND "Offshore" AND "Oil and Gas". This research produced eight journals with a Q1 rating. The risk factors for fatigue in workers consist of four risk factors: environmental, organizational, psychosocial, and individual.

Factors Affecting the Response Time of Radiology Result Reading

Respond time is a common issue in healthcare practice. This problem also occurs in radiology services concerning the reading of radiology results to the expert interpretation process by radiologists. This study analyzes departmental and personal factors influencing the response time of radiology result readings at Murni Teguh General Hospital in Medan in 2021. This quantitative research study has a cross-sectional design and an analytical observational approach. The population includes all radiologists in the Radiology Department. Data is collected through questionnaires and documentation. Logistic regression is used for data analysis. The majority of radiology result readings have a poor response time (56.9%). Multivariate analysis reveals that departmental factors (image results and network) and personal factors (work schedule) significantly influence the response time of radiology result readings. However, there is no significant influence from departmental factors (teaching obligations) and personal factors (educational level and employment status) on the response time of radiology result readings. It is recommended that hospital management cultivate a collaborative and supportive environment among the technology and human resources working in the Radiology Department to improve the response time by the standards set by the ministry.

Work-Life Conflict and Health Care Delivery: Perspectives of Healthcare Workers in Public Hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Healthcare workers are life savers. Their contributions to development are highly valued. However, given the nature of their job, it has become a hurdle managing paid-work and social life. Informed by the spillover and boundary theories, we examined how healthcare workers manage their paid work and their social lives leading to an influence on healthcare delivery in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. This was a quantitative study where a survey protocol was used to elicit data from 112 healthcare workers. The study found that female healthcare workers experienced work-life conflict more than their male counterparts. Both junior and senior healthcare workers experienced work-life conflict given the demands of their work. Younger healthcare workers expressed higher work-life conflict while the married juggled between these two domains because of extra responsibilities. The study concluded that paid work has interfered with the social lives of healthcare workers due to rigid work schedules, just as the lack of logistics and modern technology at the health facilities have foiled healthcare delivery. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health should resource social workers so that they can render adequate support to healthcare workers to ease work-life conflict and enhance healthcare delivery.

Telemedicine Reduces Missed Appointments but Disparities Persist

IntroductionMissed appointments also known as “no-shows” adversely affect clinical outcomes, clinic efficiency, and quality of care and have been attributed to barriers such as work schedule conflicts and lack of transportation. The widespread telemedicine implementation and adoption that has occurred as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to address these barriers and improve missed appointment rates. This study aims to analyze the relationship between telemedicine and missed appointments. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used electronic health records data from a safety-net academic health center with federally qualified clinics (March 2020 to December 2022). Bivariate and multivariable generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the relationship between no-show and appointment type (in-person versus telemedicine appointment). Stratified adjusted regression analyses were used to calculate the average change in the marginal effect of telemedicine appointments on no-shows across covariates. The data was analyzed from 09/2023-10/2023. ResultsHispanic patients accounted for 60% of the 474,212 appointments, followed by non-Hispanic White (22.5%), Non-Hispanic Black (13.3%), Asian (2.7%), Native American (1%) and “other race/ethnicity” patients (0.6%). The no-show rate for telemedicine appointments was 12% compared to 25% for in-person appointments. Multivariable analysis showed that telemedicine appointment was associated with a decreased likelihood of no-show compared to in-person appointments (OR:0.40; 95% CI:0.40, 0.41). The average change in the marginal effect of telemedicine appointments on the reduction of no-shows across race/ethnicity was greatest for Native American and non-Hispanic Black patients. ConclusionsTelemedicine appointments were associated with decreased likelihood of no-shows and the protective effect of telemedicine appointments on missed appointments was greatest for underserved groups. Strategies to increase telemedicine uptake especially for underserved groups are critical.

A systematic review of risk factors associated with road traffic crashes and injuries among commercial motorcycle drivers

To effectively reduce road traffic crashes (RTCs) and injuries interventions should be based on firm evidence regarding risk factors of RTCs and injuries in that specific population. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review to determine risk factors of RTCs and injuries among commercial motorcycle drivers. Searches were performed from inception to May 2022 in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO and Cinahl, along with registers and reference lists. Inclusion criteria were commercial motorcycle drivers, quantitative observational studies, and RTCs and injuries. The search resulted in 1546 articles, of which 20 met the relevance and quality criteria. Of the 20 articles, 17 were cross-sectional, 2 were case-control studies, and one was a cohort study. Close to half of all articles (9) came from sub-Saharan Africa. Risk factors with consistent association with RTCs and injuries were young age, low education level, alcohol consumption, speeding, mobile phone use, non-helmet use, risky driving behaviours and long working hours. There was inconclusive evidence for driver’s training, work schedules, motorcycle ownership, experience, dependents number, and marital status. More robust designs such as case-control or longitudinal studies are required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents of RTCs among commercial motorcycle drivers.

Understanding the Employment Landscape in People With Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) can restrict employment participation. Our objectives were to comparatively evaluate health factors, work factors, and workplace accommodations between those who are employed and those who recently gave up employment. A cross-sectional study was conducted of employed and recently working, but now unemployed, individuals with SSc. Demographics, employment sectors, health factors, flare frequency, work context, and information about the need, availability, and use of workplace supports were collected. Participants were 140 individuals (108 [77.1%] women, 32 [22.9%] men), of whom 110 (78.6%) were employed and 30 (21.4%) were unemployed. Participants worked in education/health/sciences/arts (n = 51, 36.4%), sales/retail (n = 23, 16.5%), banking/insurance/business/technology (n = 22, 15.7%), government (n = 15, 10.7%), construction/utilities (n = 10, 7.1%), and manufacturing/agriculture/mining/logging (n = 10, 7.1%). Employed participants had a lower mean age (48.4 vs 54.3 yrs), and higher level of education (77.3% with postsecondary education vs 22.7% without). Those who had no flares were more frequently employed (41.7%), compared to those who had 1 to 2 flares (35.2%) and ≥ 3 flares (23.1%). The availability of workplace accommodations differed significantly between the employed and unemployed: flexible hours (74.5% vs 40%, P = 0.0005), more rest periods (73.6% vs 46.7%, P = 0.0001), special equipment (82.7% vs 46.7%, P < 0.0001), and work schedule flexibility (66.4% vs 33.3%, P = 0.003). Health factors alone do not differentiate those who are employed and those who gave up employment. This study lays the groundwork for where SSc-specific efforts in workplace policies and practices should be directed, especially workplace support.

Оптимізація пасажирських перевезень на основі організації однорідного приміського пасажиропотоку

The purpose article is improveefficiency of suburban passenger transportation based on organization of suburban passenger traffic. It was established that suburban passenger flow urban agglomerations consistsof following aggregated groups (segments): workers with variable work schedules, office workers, students, other passengers, while the total volume of passenger flow and the value individual components its segments are unstable and characterized by spatial and temporal unevenness.&#x0D; The task organization of passenger traffic is find a compromise between the needs passengers and possibilities of transport. The compromise is achieved due fact by obtaining formal optimum each time, with help of variable weighting factors, it is possible display priorities passenger flows from different stations and sections. The task optimizing functioning of passenger transport system ofurban agglomeration based on organization passenger flow is minimize total costs transportation and waiting. The optimization criterion is determined based on minimization costs mastering passenger flow in full, as well as waiting by passengers at departure station and delay at destination station.&#x0D; The article formulates problem of organizing suburban passenger flows in urban agglomerations reduce static reserves of suburban passenger complex at expense dynamic ones. The optimization apparatus based on dynamic transport problem was chosen and substantiated. The possibilities using method of dynamic coordination solve transport problems of urban agglomerations are analyzed and advantages are shown. The technology using optimization apparatus is proposed, which includes directed iterative process, which allows reduce the number of experiments for choosing among optimal options, most client-oriented compromise option. The method optimal organization of homogeneous suburban passenger flow based on method dynamic coordination has been developed. It was established use directed iterative process allows significantly reduce number of experiments in order achieve consensus betweeninterests passengers and efficiency of transport system.