scholarly journals A cross-sectional study of socioeconomic status and treatment interruption among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author(s):  
Kenji Fujimoto ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused interruptions to chronic disease and non-emergency treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine which socioeconomic status groups are most at risk of treatment interruption.MethodsThis cross-sectional internet monitor study was conducted on December 22–26, 2020, when Japan experienced its third wave of COVID-19 infection. Out of a total of 33,302 participants in the survey, 9510 (5392 males and 4118 females) who responded that they required regular treatment or hospital visits were included in the analysis. A multilevel logistic model nested in the prefecture of residence was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for treatment disruption. We examined separate multivariate models for socioeconomic factors, health factors, and lifestyle factors.ResultsDuring a period of rapid COVID-19 infection, about 11% of Japanese workers who required regular treatment experienced interruptions to their treatment. The OR of treatment interruption associated with not being married compared to being married was 1.44; manual labor work compared to desk work was 1.30; loss of employment when the COVID-19 pandemic started and continued unemployment compared to being employed over the entire pandemic period was 1.62 and 2.57, respectively; and feeling financially unstable was 2.92.ConclusionTreatment interruption is a new health inequality brought about by COVID-19 with possible medium- and long-term effects, including excess mortality, morbidity, and productivity loss due to increased presenteeism. Efforts are needed to reduce treatment interruptions among workers who require regular treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Fujimoto ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Akashi ◽  
Ayako HIno ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between regional infection level and treatment interruption for chronic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional Internet monitoring survey was performed between December 22 and 26, 2020. Data from 9,510 (5,392 males and 4,118 females) participants needing regular treatment or hospital visits were analyzed. We determined the age, sex and multivariate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of treatment interruption associated with various indices of infection level by nesting multilevel logistic models in prefecture of residence. In the multivariate model, sex, age, marital status, job type, equivalent household income, education, self-rated health, and anxiety were adjusted. Results: The ORs of treatment interruption for the lowest versus highest levels of infection were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.59) for the overall incidence rate (per 1,000 population), 1.34 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.63) for the overall number of people infected, 1.28 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.54) for the monthly incidence rate (per 1,000 population), and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.14 to 1.67) for the number of people infected per month. For each index of infection level, higher infection was linked to more workers experiencing treatment interruption. Conclusion: Higher local infection levels were linked to more workers experiencing treatment interruption. Our results suggest that apart from individual characteristics such as socioeconomic and health status, treatment interruptions during the pandemic were also subject to contextual effects related to regional infection levels. Preventing community spread of COVID-19 may thus protect individuals from indirect effects of the pandemic, such as treatment interruption.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashi Masuda ◽  
Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Hajime Ando ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
...  

Background: We examined the relationship between socioeconomic and health status, and lifestyle habits and sickness presenteeism among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study using Internet monitors was conducted in December, 2020 in Japan. Of 33,302 survey participants, we analysed 27,036 (13,814 males and 13,222 females) who reported experience with sickness presenteeism. Results: The OR of sickness presenteeism associated with unmarried versus married status was 1.15. Respective figures for other variables were 1.11 for manual laboring work compared to desk work; 1.79 and 2.29 for loss of employment at the time the pandemic began and continuation of unemployment compared to maintaining employment during the pandemic; and 3.34 for a feeling of financial instability compared to stability. Conclusion: The issue of sickness presenteeism has been highlighted by COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyoshi Mizuki ◽  
Makoto Okawara ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Hajime Ando ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: This study investigated the association between attending work while experiencing fever or cold symptoms and workers' socioeconomic background and company characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed. Of a total of 33,302 participants, 3,676 workers who experienced fever or cold symptoms after April 2020 were included. The odds ratios (ORs) of attending work while sick associated with workers' socioeconomic background and company characteristics were evaluated using a multilevel logistic model. Results: The OR of attending work while sick associated with a lack of policy prohibiting workers from working when ill was 2.75 (95%CI: 2.28-3.20, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that clear company policies on work and illness can be effective for preventing employees from attending work while sick.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-323
Author(s):  
Samar Hossain ◽  
Sharma Priyanka ◽  
Talib Hossain ◽  
Surendra Mohan Mathur

Objective: The last two decades have witnessed an increase in health care costs due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents. Childhood obesity is a global phenomenon affecting all socio-economic groups, irrespective of age, sex or ethnicity. The study was done to find the the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their association with socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk factors. Materials and Methods: School based cross sectional study carried out over a period of 4 months in three schools of East Delhi. The study was carried out in 629 school children of 10–18 years of age and belonging to different socioeconomic statuses in schools in East Delhi. The obesity and overweight were considered using an updated body mass index reference. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to determine the Socio-economic status and life style factors. Results: The prevalence of overweight among children was higher in middle socioeconomic status groups as compared to high socioeconomic class in both boys and girls whereas the prevalence of obesity was higher in high Socio economic status group as compared to middle socioeconomic group. The prevalence of obesity as well as overweight in low SES group was the lowest as compared to other group. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity varies remarkably with different socioeconomic development levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1289.2-1289
Author(s):  
T. Pilgaard ◽  
B. A. Esbensen ◽  
S. E. Stallknecht

Background:Limited data exist of work productivity loss in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoreatic Arthritis (PsA) and Spondyloarthritis (axSpA).Objectives:The objective of this research was to assess productivity loss and absenteeism in patients with RA, PsA and axSpA.Methods:The study was designed as a cross-sectional study aimed to collect patient-reported outcomes from patients with RA, PsA and axSpA in Denmark via a nurse administered questionnaires and patient journals. Patients ≥18 years with RA, PsA or axSpA were consecutively recruited for the study over a 6-month period via routine visits to outpatient rheumatology clinics. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SAS.Results:Of 488 respondents, 62% were women and mean age was 53.5 years (RA:57.4; PsA:52.6; axSpA:43.6). Average time since diagnosis was 11-15 years, however, for PsA and axSpA most patients answered 6-10 and 0-5 years, respectively. 280 (57%) answered that they had a job and completed the WPAI questionnaire (RA: 149 (51%); PsA: 48 (56%); axSpA: 83 (75%)). Average work hours was 31.9 in the last week (RA:31.2; PsA:33; axSpA:32.4). Average missed work hours were 4.3 in the last 7 days ((RA:4.0; PsA:4.2; axSpA:4.8), of which 32% was missed due to their inflammatory arthritis (RA:30%; PsA:38%; axSpA:32%). Mean absenteeism was highest for patients with PsA (mean=6.8; SD=17.7) followed by patients with axSpA (mean=5.4; SD=15.1) and with RA (mean=3.4; SD=12.2). Mean productivity loss was 20.5 (SD=23.8) for patients with RA, 27.6 (SD=25.8) for PsA and 26.3 (SD=25.8) for axSpAConclusion:We found that patients with PsA or axSpA miss more hours of work compared with patients with RA and when they are at work they have a higher absenteeism/lower productivity. This even though that both the group of patients with PsA and the axSpA were younger and had lived less time with their diagnosed disease compared with the group with RA.Disclosure of Interests:Trine Pilgaard Shareholder of: Pfizer, Employee of: Pfizer, Bente Appel Esbensen: None declared, Sandra Elkjær Stallknecht Consultant of: Pfizer


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Fakhoury ◽  
Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽  
Idris Guessous ◽  
Liala Consoli ◽  
Aline Duvoisin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017–2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration. Methods This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants’ living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included. Results Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04–2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables. Conclusion At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants’ inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1802
Author(s):  
Fitrah Ernawati ◽  
Ahmad Syauqy ◽  
Aya Yuriestia Arifin ◽  
Moesijanti Y. E. Soekatri ◽  
Sandjaja Sandjaja

Micronutrient deficiencies and stunting are known as a significant problem in most developing countries, including Indonesia. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between micronutrient deficiencies and stunting with socioeconomic status (SES) among Indonesian children aged 6–59 months. This cross-sectional study was part of the South East Asian Nutrition Surveys (SEANUTS). A total of 1008 Indonesian children were included in the study. Anemia, iron deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and stunting were identified in this study. Structured questionnaires were used to measure SES. Differences between micronutrient parameters and anthropometric indicators with the SES groups were tested using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc test after adjusted for age, area resident (rural and urban), and sex. The highest prevalence of anemia, stunting, and severe stunting were found to be most significant in the lowest SES group at 45.6%, 29.3%, and 54.5%, respectively. Children from the lowest SES group had significantly lower means of Hb, ferritin, retinol, and HAZ. Severely stunted children had a significantly lower mean of Hb concentration compared to stunted and normal height children. Micronutrient deficiencies, except vitamin D, and stunting, were associated with low SES among Indonesian children aged 6–59 months.


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