scholarly journals Influence of combined exposure to perceived risk at work and unstable employment on self-rated health: a comparison of two cross-sectional surveys in Europe and Korea

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e032380
Author(s):  
Seong-Sik Cho ◽  
Domyung Paek ◽  
Mo-Yeol Kang
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Additive Interaction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
The Third ◽  
European Working ◽  
European Working Conditions Survey

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of exposure to perceived risk at work and unstable employment on self-rated health in both Korea and the European Union.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe conducted the analyses using employees data from the third Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted in 2011 and the fifth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) conducted in 2010.ParticipantsEmployees of the third KWCS and the fifth EWCS from 35 European countries were the participants of the study.Primary outcome measuresEmployment status was divided into two categories: stable and unstable employment. Perceived risk regarding safety and health at work were assessed. Primary health outcomes were poor or moderate self-rated health. Exposures and health status were assessed via a questionnaire.ResultsAmong Korean employees, the OR of poor self-rated health was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.80 to 2.22) for those with perceived risk at work, 1.18 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.28) for those with unstable employment and 3.22 (95% CI: 2.72 to 3.81) for those with both perceived risk at work and unstable employment. Relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.48 to 1.58). Among European employees, the OR for poor self-rated health was 3.20 (95% CI: 2.93 to 3.49) for those with perceived risk at work, 1.04 (95% CI: 0.97 to 1.13) for those with unstable employment and 3.41 (95% CI: 2.93 to 3.98) for those with both perceived risk at work and unstable employment. The RERI was 0.18 (95% CI: −0.36 to 0.71).ConclusionsAmong Korean employees, a supra-additive interaction between perceived risk at work and unstable employment on poor self-rated health was observed. Conversely, a supra-additive interaction was not observed among European employees.

scholarly journals Excellent Self-Rated Health among Swedish Boys and Girls and Its Relationship with Working Conditions in School: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1310
Author(s):  
Sara Brolin Låftman ◽  
Maria Granvik Saminathen ◽  
Bitte Modin ◽  
Petra Löfstedt
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Probability Models ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Linear Probability ◽  
Classmate Support

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which school demands, teacher support, and classmate support were associated with excellent self-rated health among students, and to examine if any such statistical predictions differed by gender. Data were drawn from the Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study of 2017/18, performed among adolescents in grades five, seven, and nine (n = 3701). Linear probability models showed that school demands were negatively associated with excellent self-rated health, whereas teacher and classmate support showed positive associations. The link with school demands was stronger for girls than boys, driven by the finding that in grades five and nine, school demands were associated with excellent self-rated health only among girls. In conclusion, the study suggests that working conditions in school in terms of manageable school demands and strong teacher and classmate support may benefit adolescents’ positive health. The finding that the link between school demands and excellent self-rated health was more evident among girls than among boys may be interpreted in light of girls’ on average stronger focus on schoolwork and academic success. The study contributes with to knowledge about how working conditions in school may impede or promote students’ positive health.

Working conditions in Poland and in Europe: an overview of the results of European surveys

2018 ◽  
Vol 567 (12) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Magdalena Galwas-Grzeszkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Flexible Working Hours ◽  
Flexible Working ◽  
European Working ◽  
European Working Conditions Survey ◽  
Company Survey ◽  
Constant Improvement

Constant improvement of working conditions is the key to success when employing a strategy for sustainable development. Eurofound, which acts to improve living and working conditions, conducts regular pan-European surveys, such as the European Company Survey and the European Working Conditions Survey. This article presents selected results of these surveys, on issues such as the physical and social working environment, flexible working hours, availability of training and satisfaction with working conditions both in Poland and in the European Union.

scholarly journals Work stress on rise? Comparative analysis of trends in work stressors using the European working conditions survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rigó ◽  
N. Dragano ◽  
M. Wahrendorf ◽  
J. Siegrist ◽  
T. Lunau
Keyword(s):  
Work Stress ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Job Strain ◽  
Work Stressors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
European Working ◽  
Effort Reward Imbalance ◽  
European Working Conditions Survey ◽  
Reward Imbalance ◽  
Stress At Work

Abstract Objective The rapid transformation of labor markets has been accompanied by the belief of rising stress at work. However, empirical evidence on such trends based on reliable survey data is scarce. This study analyzes long-term trends in well-established measures of work stressors across Europe, as well as potential occupational differences. Methods We use repeated cross-sectional data of 15 European countries from waves 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 of the European Working Conditions Surveys. We apply three-way multilevel regressions (with employees nested in country-years, which are in turn nested in countries) to analyze trends in work stressors measured according to the demand-control and effort-reward imbalance models. Trends by occupational groups are also assessed. Results Our findings suggest that work stress generally increased from 1995 to 2015, and that the increase was mostly driven by psychological demands. People working in lower-skilled occupations had generally higher levels of job strain and effort-reward imbalance, as well as they tend to have a steeper increase in job strain than people working in higher-skilled occupations. Most of the change occurred from 1995 to 2005. Conclusion Our results indicate that work stress has been on rise since 1995, specifically for people working in disadvantageous occupations. This directs the attention to the vulnerable position of the least skilled and also to the use of preventive measures to counteract some of the disadvantages experienced by this occupational group.

scholarly journals Factors associated with self-rated health among mineworkers in Zambia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Ohnishi ◽  
Backsion Tembo ◽  
Rieko Nakao ◽  
Emi Matsuura ◽  
Wakako Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Crude Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health

Abstract Background This study aims to examine miners’ working conditions and self-rated health status in copper mines in Zambia and to identify the conditions and factors necessary to improve the safety and health of mineworkers. Methods A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted anonymously among copper mineworkers in Zambia in 2015 and 2016. Five targeted mining companies among 33 were introduced by the Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia. Study participants were recruited at the waiting space for underground work, waiting rooms of company clinics/hospitals, and/or at training sessions, which were places permitted by the target companies to perform data collection via convenience sampling. Bivariate analyses (e.g., t tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, chi-square tests, or Cochran-Armitage tests) and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze differences in demographic characteristics and to compare their working conditions, health conditions, safety management at the workplace, and training opportunities by employment status. Results In total, 338 responses were analyzed. Regular employees had better working conditions, including higher incomes (P = 0.001), more likely to be guaranteed sickness insurance by the company (P < 0.001), paid holidays (P = 0.094), and sick leave (P = 0.064), although the difference was not statistically significant. Mineworkers’ decreased self-rated health was determined by job category (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21, 0.82; P = 0.012). Having experienced violence from the boss/manager (AOR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32, 0.91; P = 0.020) was negatively associated with better self-rated health in the crude odds ratio. Conclusions Among mineworkers in Zambia, nonunderground work and not having experienced violence from their boss/manager contributed to increased self-rated health. From the perspective of psychological safety and human security, the management of safety and the working environment, including human resource management and preventing harassment/violence, should be assured, especially for underground mineworkers.

scholarly journals The relationship between depression risk perception and self-help behaviors in high risk Canadians: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Warner ◽  
Molly Nannarone ◽  
Rachel Smail-Crevier ◽  
Douglas Manuel ◽  
Bonnie Lashewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Depression Risk

Abstract Background: Effective self-help may reduce the risk of depression, and risk perception of depression may play a role in initiating self-help. However, it is currently unknown how risk perception is associated with self-help behaviours. The objectives of this study are to (1) describe the self-help strategies used by high risk Canadians in relation to the accuracy levels of their perceived depression risk, relative to sex, and (2) identify demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors associated with self-help behaviors.Methods: Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial including 358 men and 356 women at high risk of developing depression were used. Accuracy of risk perception was determined by comparing the participant’s self-perceived and objective risk of developing depression, which was assessed using sex-specific multivariable risk predictive algorithms. The frequency of using 14 self-help strategies was assessed. One-way ANOVA testing was used to determine whether differences in risk perception accuracy groups existed within both male and female participants. Linear regression was used to investigate the clinical and demographic factors which were associated with self-help behaviours in males and females separately.Results: Compared to accurate risk estimators, male over-estimators were less likely to “leave the house daily,” and “participate in activities they enjoy.” Male under-estimators were also less likely to “participate in activities they enjoy.” Both ‘inaccurate’ perception groups in men were more likely to ‘create lists of strategies which have worked for feelings of depression in the past and use them’. There were no significant differences between self-help behaviors and the risk perception accuracy in women. Regression modeling showed negative relationships between self-rated health and self-help scores, irrespective of sex. In women, self-help score was positively associated with age, and educational attainment, and negatively associated with perceived risk. In men, a positive relationship with unemployment was also seen. Conclusions: Sex differences exist in the factors associated with self-help. The accuracy of risk perception, work status, and self-rated health is associated with self-help behaviors in high risk men. Factors which may be related to self-help in women include age, education, self-rated health status, and perceived risk. More research is needed to replicate the findings.

scholarly journals Factors associated with self-rated health among mineworkers in Zambia: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Ohnishi ◽  
Backsion Tembo ◽  
Rieko Nakao ◽  
Emi Matsuura ◽  
Wakako Fujita
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Contract Employees ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Job Category

Abstract Background This study aims to examine miners’ working conditions and self-rated health status in copper mines in Zambia and to identify conditions and factors necessary to improve the safety and health of mineworkers. Methods A self-administered questionnaire was conducted anonymously among copper mineworkers in Zambia in 2015 and 2016. Results In total, 285 of 330 responses were analyzed. Regular employees had better working conditions, including higher incomes (t-test, P = 0.011), guaranteed paid holidays (chi-square test, P = 0.045), health check-ups (chi-square test, P = 0.023) and sickness insurance (chi-square test, P < 0.001), than contract employees. Mineworkers’ increased self-rated health was determined by an educational status of having completed secondary school (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.406; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.072, 10.822; P = 0.038). Moreover, job category, such as working underground (AOR: 0.338; 95% CI: 0.173, 0.663; P = 0.002), and having experienced violence (AOR: 0.472; 95% CI: 0.035, 0.948; P = 0.035) were negatively associated with good self-rated health in the logistic regression analysis, regardless of employment status. Conclusions Among mineworkers in Zambia, non-underground work and not having experienced violence from their boss contributed to increased self-rated health. From the perspective of psychological safety and human security, the management of safety and the working environment, including human resource management and preventing harassment/violence, should be assured, especially for underground mineworkers.

scholarly journals Working conditions and health status of 6,317 front line public health workers across five provinces in China during the COVID-19 epidemic: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinghua Li ◽  
Jingdong Xu ◽  
Huan Zhou ◽  
Hua You ◽  
Xiaohui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Public Health Workers

ABSTRACT Background Public health workers at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and primary health care institutes (PHIs) were among the main workers who implemented prevention, control, and containment measures. However, their efforts and health status have not been well documented. We aimed to investigate the working conditions and health status of front line public health workers in China during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods Between 18 February and 1 March 2020, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey of 2,313 CDC workers and 4,004 PHI workers in five provinces across China experiencing different scales of COVID-19 epidemic. We surveyed all participants about their work conditions, roles, burdens, perceptions, mental health, and self-rated health using a self-constructed questionnaire and standardised measurements (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder scale). To examine the independent associations between working conditions and health outcomes, we used multivariate regression models controlling for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and poor self-rated health was 21.3, 19.0, and 9.8%, respectively, among public health workers (27.1, 20.6, and 15.0% among CDC workers and 17.5, 17.9, and 6.8% among PHI workers). The majority (71.6%) made immense efforts in both field and non-field work. Nearly 20.0% have worked all night for more than 3 days, and 45.3% had worked throughout the Chinese New Year holiday. Three risk factors and two protective factors were found to be independently associated with all three health outcomes in our final multivariate models: working all night for >3 days (multivariate odds ratio [ORm]=1.67~1.75, p<0.001), concerns about infection at work (ORm=1.46~1.89, p<0.001), perceived troubles at work (ORm=1.10~1.28, p<0.001), initiating COVID-19 prevention work after January 23 (ORm=0.78~0.82, p=0.002~0.008), and ability to persist for > 1 month at the current work intensity (ORm=0.44~0.55, p<0.001). Conclusions Chinese public health workers made immense efforts and personal sacrifices to control the COVID-19 epidemic and faced the risk of mental health problems. Efforts are needed to improve the working conditions and health status of public health workers and thus maintain their morale and effectiveness during the fight against COVID-19.

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