Workers In Other Occupations Research Articles

Arthrosis and its relation to work.

Data are presented to illustrate the inadequacy of routinely collected data on osteoarthrosis when disability and handicap are considered as distinct from impairment. In a series of prevalence studies of mixed manual workers aged 15 to 65 years in the United Kingdom 11% had diagnosable osteoarthrosis of the limbs, 2% had generalized osteoarthrosis, and 11% had vague pains of undetermined diagnosis in the limb joints. Annual sickness absence was 580 d/100 affected men for those with local osteoarthrosis and 539 d/100 and 80 d/100, respectively, for those with generalized osteoarthrosis and vague limb pain. These and other indicators of disablement (hospital attendance and admission, self therapy, and consultation with general practitioners) suggest that osteoarthrosis makes a significant contribution to the handicap of manual workers. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rates between skilled and unskilled dockyard workers; this finding contrasts with the significantly higher rates for osteoarthrosis at all ages among coal miners working in awkward postures in confined spaces than among weight-lifting manual workers in other occupations. Direct observation and assessment of specific tasks support the hypothesis that posture may be more important than weight lifting as a risk factor in the onset of osteoarthrosis.

Screening for lead toxicity among autobody repair workers.

Fifty-one workers in 10 small, neighborhood autobody repair shops were screened for lead toxicity using blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels and work history questionnaires. Those with high ZPP levels (greater than 50 micrograms/dl) had further studies, including blood lead determinations. The shops were dusty with ground putty dust (lead-free) and paint spray (lead content range 0-40%). Thirteen (26%) workers had mildly elevated ZPP levels (all were full-time sander/sprayers) though few had symptoms and none had elevated blood lead levels. Eighteen controls, workers in other occupations, had normal ZPP levels. Air monitoring during inactive periods failed to reveal high lead levels (range 0-28 micrograms/m2). These data suggest that workers in autobody repair shops are at risk of lead toxicity but the exposure and biologic effects are less than in many other industries that utilize lead.

Is there job satisfaction in community mental health?

After discussing the importance of job satisfaction, this paper presents data concerning current levels and sources of job satisfaction in community mental health centers. Data came from a survey completed by 164 staff members working in 22 different programs located in Michigan. The return rate was 94%. Results indicated that compared to workers in other occupations, the staff were about average in satisfaction with co-workers and supervision, but low in satisfaction with the work itself. The two major sources of job satisfaction reported by staff were the level of accomplishment experienced in the work and the degree of clarity in organizational goals and policies. The paper concludes by suggesting ways in which job satisfaction in community mental health could be increased.

Differential fertility in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

1960 population data on reproduction by educational status of married women their duration of marriage and the occupation of their present husband were used to investigate the question of whether and to what extent fertility differentials in the Arab Republic of Egypt are genuine or spurious and if genuine through what mechanism they operate. Although occupational fertility differentials were observed the observed patterns of occupational fertility reverses the pattern observed in most other studies where the fertility of women married to white-collar workers are reported to be lower than those married to workers in other occupations. Such an inverted pattern is due to part to defective data. From the data on childlessness by husbands occupation and cohort analysis by duration of marriage occupation of husband appeared as insignificant factor in generating childlessness differentials. Education of wife emerged as an effective factor in establishing fertility and childlessness differentials. The 1960 census of population greatly underreported the number of children born to families in rural residence and to families married before 1910. High childlessness among farmers service workers and illiterates is believed to be related to the tendency among females in these groups to marry in very young prechildbearing years.