The Occupational Health of Female Immigrant Caregivers: A Qualitative Approach

In general, immigrants suffer poor working conditions. This is particularly true in the case of women, who constitute 48% of international migrants, and these poor conditions are closely linked to the sectors they mainly occupy, such as domestic and care-giving services. The aim of the present study was to investigate the working conditions of the female immigrant population living in southern Spain and how these conditions may affect their health. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and discussion groups was conducted over one year in 2019, with 61 immigrant women recruited. The sectors occupied by immigrant women were caregiving for dependent people and domestic services. Most of the female immigrants interviewed were working (63.94%), although the majority were employed in an irregular situation, with a very long working day. Among the main risks identified were biological risks, physical attacks, falls, wounds and musculoskeletal complaints related to handling patients and carrying out household chores. Most of them had not taken an occupational health test and did not report accidents occurring in the workplace for fear of losing their jobs. The main health problems were related to physical and mental health (such as musculoskeletal diseases and stress). These findings highlight the importance of making a major change in our perspective regarding the social value of including immigrant women in the labour market and the different aspects related to their health.

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Aspectos que Determinam as Doenças Osteomusculares em Profissionais de Enfermagem e seus Impactos Psicossociais

Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.17921/2447-8938.2017v19n2p130-135 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 130

Author(s):

Vanessa Cotian Oliveira ◽

Rogério José de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Musculoskeletal Diseases ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Physical Exertion ◽

Final Sample ◽

De Se ◽

Key Aspects ◽

Nursing Professionals

As doenças osteomusculares já se configuram como um dos grandes problemas que afligem a saúde ocupacional do enfermeiro. Objetivo foi analisar os determinantes, que contribuem para o aparecimento de doenças osteomusculares em profissionais da enfermagem e seus impactos psicossociais. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura optando-se por privilegiar periódicos de indexação científica com pesquisas nos Periódicos Capes, PubMed e a Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, cuja amostra final foi de 18 artigos. Foram analisadas duas categorias do fenômeno: aspectos determinantes de doenças osteomusculares em profissionais da enfermagem; e impactos psicossociais das doenças osteomusculares na vida dos trabalhadores em enfermagem. Constatou-se que os determinantes para o surgimento de doenças osteomusculares estão relacionados à postura, ao esforço físico e aos fatores ambientais. O déficit de profissionais, turnos prolongados e condições inadequadas de trabalhocontribuem para o aparecimento destes agravos. Os aspectos psicossociais se relacionam com sentimento de tristeza e insatisfação, tanto pela capacidade de trabalho diminuída, quanto pela ineficácia dos tratamentos realizados. Evidenciou-se a necessidade de se buscar melhorias, nas condições de trabalho em enfermagem, com vistas a diminuir o risco de desenvolvimento de distúrbios osteomusculares.Palavras-chave: Enfermagem. Osteomuscular. Saúde Ocupacional. Trabalho.AbstractThe musculoskeletal diseases are already one of the major problems afflicting occupational health nurse. Objective: to analyze the determinants that contribute to the onset of musculoskeletal disorders in nursing professionals and their psychosocial impact. Method: this is an integrative literature review opting for privileging scientific indexing journals with research in the CAPES Journals, PubMed and Virtual Health Library, whose final sample was 18 articles. Two phenomena categories were analyzed: key aspects of musculoskeletal disorders in nursing professionals; and psychological impact of musculoskeletal disorders in the nursing workers’ lives. It was found that the determinants for the emergence of musculoskeletal diseases are related to posture, physical exertion and environmental factors. The deficit of professionals, extended shifts and inadequate working conditions contribute to the onset of these diseases. Psychosocial aspects relate to feelings of sadness and dissatisfaction both regarding the decreased working capacity andthe treatments ineffectiveness. It was highlighted the need to seek improvements in working conditions in nursing, in order to reduce the musculoskeletal disorders risk.Keywords: Nursing. Musculoskeletal. Occupational Health. Work.

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Explaining the experiences, challenges and adaptation strategies of nurses in caring for patients with COVID-19: A qualitative study in Iran

10.21203/rs.3.rs-100575/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Seyed Fahim Irandoost ◽

Javad Yoosefi Lebni ◽

Hossein Safari ◽

Farhad Khoram ◽

Sina Ahmadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Work Environment ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Structured Interviews

Abstract Background: Nurses as the main human resource in coping with COVID-19 face many challenges and problems. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain the experiences, challenges, and adaptation strategies of nurses in taking care of patients with COVID-19 with a qualitative approach.Methods: The present study was conducted with a qualitative conventional content analysis approach among 30 nurses working in wards for COVID-19 patients, in Tehran hospitals. Access to participants and data collection was done through purposive sampling, snowball sampling and semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis (conventional) and MAXQDA-18 software. Guba and Lincoln criteria were observed to evaluate the quality of research results.Results: From data analysis, 2 main categories and 16 subcategories were obtained, including (1) experiences and challenges (lack of protective equipment, high work pressure, marginalized physical health, problems related to the use of protective equipment, getting excluded, lack of supportive work environment, problems related to patients, psychological problems, fear, marginalized personal and family life and the challenge of communication with patients' families) (2) Strategies for adapting to working conditions (performing religious-spiritual activities, creating an empathetic atmosphere in the workplace, spiritualizing their work , trying to convince the family and gain their support, strengthening sense of self-worth and responsibility).Conclusion: The working conditions for nurses can be improved through providing adequate protective equipment, providing a suitable work environment and more social and financial support, more attention to the physical and mental health of nurses and considering appropriate mechanisms for nurses to communicate with their families and patients' families.

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The occupational health nurse and the depressive disorder in supermarket cash operators

Revista de Enfermagem UFPE on line ◽

10.5205/reuol.867-7230-1-le.0402201030 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 691

Author(s):

Juliana Helena Montezeli ◽

Hellen Estevão Martins ◽

Amanda Pereira Pugin

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Health Nurse ◽

Toma De Decisiones ◽

Occupational Health Nurse ◽

Health Nursing ◽

Quantitative Descriptive ◽

One Year

ABSTRACTObjective: to identify possible factors that lead supermarket cash operators to present symptoms consistent with depressive disorders. Method: this is about a quantitative descriptive study, performed in three supermarkets, in Curitiba-PR city, in July 2008, with 30 cash operators who answered to a questionnaire, following the ethical precepts. Data were tabulated and displayed in percentages. Results: 85% of the subjects are women, 57% are in the profession for less than one year. Only 28% relate motivation to work and the reasons that caused demotivation were: low salary (23%), impoliteness of the supermarket customers (14%), lack of recognition (15%) and lack of future prospects (12%). 39% reported symptoms consistent with depressive disorder most of the day and every day, having signed more than three symptoms simultaneously. The most cited symptoms were: lowering of mood (16%), sleep disorders (16%), difficulty in concentrating and making decisions (13%). Conclusion: the symptoms are related to the working conditions and the occupational health nurse shows to be essential for prevention of depressive disorders, and may contribute largely in the improvement of the work environment. Descriptors: nursing; occupational health nursing; occupational health; working conditions; occupational diseases; depressive disorder; depression.RESUMOObjetivo: identificar os possíveis fatores que levam operadores de caixa de supermercado a apresentarem sintomas compatíveis com transtornos depressivos. Método: pesquisa quantitativa descritiva realizada em três supermercados de Curitiba-PR, em julho de 2008, com 30 operadores de caixa que responderam um questionário, obedecendo os preceitos éticos. Os dados foram tabulados e expostos em porcentagens. Resultados: 85% dos sujeitos são mulheres, 57% estão na profissão há menos de um ano. Somente 28% referem motivação para trabalhar e os motivos que originaram desmotivação foram: salário baixo (23%), indelicadeza dos clientes do supermercado (14%), falta de reconhecimento (15%) e falta de perspectivas futuras (12%). 39% referem sintomatologia compatível com transtorno depressivo a maior parte do dia e todos os dias, tendo assinalado mais de três sintomas simultaneamente. Os sintomas mais citados foram: rebaixamento de humor (16%), distúrbios do sono (16%), dificuldade de concentração e de tomada de decisões (13%). Conclusão: a sintomatologia se relaciona com as condições laborais e o enfermeiro do trabalho mostra-se essencial para prevenção de transtornos depressivos, podendo contribuir amplamente na melhoria do ambiente de trabalho. Descritores: enfermagem; enfermagem do trabalho; saúde do trabalhador; condições de trabalho; doenças profissionais; transtorno depressivo; depressão.RESUMENObjetivo: identificar los posibles factores que conducen a los cajeros de supermercado a presentar síntomas compatibles con trastorno depresivo. Método: pesquisa cuantitativa descriptiva realizada en tres supermercados de Curitiba-PR, en julio de 2008, con 30 cajeros que respondieron un cuestionario, obedeciendo los preceptos éticos. Los datos fueron ordenados y expuestos en porcentajes. Resultados: 85% de los sujetos son mujeres, 57% están en esa profesión hace menos de un año. Solamente 28% muestran motivación para trabajar y los motivos que originaron la desmotivación fueron: bajo salario (23%), indelicadeza de los clientes del supermercado (14%), falta de reconocimiento (15%) y falta de perspectivas para el futuro (12%). 39% refieren sintomatología compatible con trastorno depresivo la mayor parte del día y todos los días, mostrado más de tres síntomas simultáneamente. Los síntomas más citados fueron: cambios de humor (16%), disturbios del sueño (16%), dificultad de concentración y de toma de decisiones (13%). Conclusión: la sintomatología se relaciona con las condiciones laborales y lo enfermero de salud ocupacional se torna necesario para la prevención de trastornos depresivos, pudiendo así contribuir ampliamente en la mejora del ambiente de trabajo. Descriptores: enfermería; enfermería del trabajo; salud laboral; condiciones de trabajo; enfermedades profesionales; trastorno depresivo; depresión.

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Ergonomia em ambiente pré-hospitalar: fator de risco à saúde do trabalhador no serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência

Revista de Enfermagem UFPE on line ◽

10.5205/reuol.202-1995-3-ce.0302200931 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 429

Author(s):

Bartolomeu José dos Santos Júnior ◽

Cibele De Lima Souza Silveira ◽

Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Health Workers ◽

Disease Process ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nursing Team ◽

One Year

ABSTRACTObjective: to examine the working conditions and ergonomics for health workers in the Service of Mobile Emergency Attendance (SMEA)/Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Method: this about a descriptive study, cross-sectional, from quantitative approach. The population is composed by the nursing staff and the sample will be defined according the following eligibility criteria: 1) all employees of the nursing team involved in Service of Mobile Emergency Attendance (SMEA)/Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil; 2) to be both gender; 3) all the workers with experience at least one year of work in that institution. It will applied the standard questionnaire checklist for data collection. Expected results: to contribute to further studies can be made to the understanding of relations between labor and health-disease process. Descriptors: ergonomics; risk factor; occupational health; nursing.RESUMOObjetivo: analisar as condições de trabalho e a ergonomia como fatores de risco à saúde dos trabalhadores do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência ― SAMU/Recife, PE. Método: estudo descritivo e exploratório, transversal, de abordagem quantitativa. A população será composta pela equipe de enfermagem e a amostra será definida após atendimento dos seguintes critérios de elegibilidade: 1) todos os trabalhadores da equipe de enfermagem envolvidos no Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência ― SAMU/Recife, PE; 2) ser de ambos os sexos; 3) pelo menos um ano de experiência de trabalho na referida instituição. Será aplicado questionário do tipo checklist, para a coleta de dados. Resultados esperados: contribuir para que novos estudos possam ser realizados visando à compreensão das relações entre o trabalho e o processo saúde-doença. Descritores: ergonomia; fator de risco; saúde do trabalhador; enfermagem.RESUMENObjetivo: examinar las condiciones de trabajo y la ergonomía para los trabajadores de la salud en el Servicio Móvil de Asistencia de Emergencia (SAMU)/Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Método: se trata de un estudio descriptivo, transversal, de enfoque cuantitativo. La población está compuesta por el personal de enfermería y la muestra se define según los siguientes criterios de elegibilidad: 1) todos los empleados del equipo de enfermería que participan en el Servicio Móvil de Asistencia de Emergencia (SAMU)/Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, 2) del gênero masculino y feminino; 3) todos con experiencia de al menos un año de trabajo en esa institución. Se aplicó el cuestionario estándar lista para la recolección de datos. Resultados esperados: contribuir a nuevos estudios se pueden hacer a la comprensión de las relaciones entre el trabajo y proceso salud-enfermedad. Descritores: ergonomía; factor de riesgo; salud laboral; enfermería.

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“Looking for Better (Job) Opportunities”: A Qualitative Analysis of the Occupational Health of Immigrants in Southern Spain

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079920988005 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216507992098800

Author(s):

Rocío de Diego-Cordero ◽

Manuel Romero-Saldaña ◽

Ana Jigato-Calero ◽

Bárbara Badanta ◽

Giancarlo Lucchetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Migrant Workers ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Food Service ◽

Southern Spain ◽

Labor Rights ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

The Government ◽

Employment Sectors

Background: Spain hosts the fourth largest number of immigrants in Europe, resulting in a large proportion of migrant workers. To date, few studies have examined the working conditions of immigrants in Southern Spain who are known to be at risk for adverse working conditions. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of work and working conditions of immigrants living in southern Spain and to understand how these factors may affect their health. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted throughout 2019 and included 93 immigrants. Transcription, literal reading, and theoretical categorization were performed and a narrative content analysis was carried out. Results: Three themes emerged on working conditions of this study population, including social and labor-related characteristics, working conditions, and occupational health issues. Four employment sectors were most commonly occupied by these immigrants, including caregiving and food service for women and agriculture and construction for men. Most immigrants were from Latin America, unemployed or working part-time jobs, and not hired under an employment contract. Most worked in low-qualified jobs, and were exposed to occupational hazards such as falls from heights, manual handling of materials, and psychological strain. The lack of training on occupational risk prevention and labor rights was related to a low identification of work situations having a negative impact on the health of immigrants. Conclusions/Application to Practice: These findings should be taken into account by the government and public health managers to provide better assistance to immigrant workers in Europe.

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(In)Decent work conditions and quality care: an issue for long-term care policy

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20002032 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-26

Author(s):

Ana Paula Gil

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Quality Care ◽

Work Conditions ◽

Care Work ◽

Decent Work ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Care Needs ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Workers

Abstract The availability of informal care will remain a key factor influencing future demand for formal services and the analysis cannot be dissociated from formal care. Based on the ‘unpaid care work–paid work–paid care work circle’, proposed by the International Labour Office, this paper focuses on the individual, interpersonal and organisational determinants that most influence quality care. This paper is based on 40 semi-structured interviews with care workers, in 16 Portuguese care homes, in one council in the metropolitan area of Lisbon. In spite of social change processes in the care worker profession in Portuguese nursing homes, in the last decade, in terms of numbers, age and education, the interviews allowed me to unveil qualitatively what the numbers hid: precarious working conditions, insufficient staffing, excessive workloads and long working hours, high rotation and insufficient skills. All these determinants have consequences not only on the quality of the care that these care workers can offer, but also on their physical and mental health, job satisfaction and work environment. The high demand of care needs due to the ageing of the population, calls for continued efforts in improving working conditions, and a national strategy to promote recruitment of a diverse, younger and more-qualified workforce. The professionalisation of care work must be integrated with migration and employment policies (improvement of job quality and working conditions).

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Foreign and Female: Immigrant Women in America, 1840-1930

The American Historical Review ◽

10.2307/1863688 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 1122

Author(s):

Hasia R. Diner ◽

Doris Weatherford

Keyword(s):

Immigrant Women ◽

Female Immigrant

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Perceived physical health outcomes of direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C: a qualitative study

Harm Reduction Journal ◽

10.1186/s12954-021-00516-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Stelliana Goutzamanis ◽

Danielle Horyniak ◽

Joseph S. Doyle ◽

Margaret Hellard ◽

Peter Higgs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Physical Health ◽

Antiviral Treatment ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Community Treatment ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Direct Acting Antiviral ◽

Treatment Uptake ◽

Direct Acting

Abstract Background Novel health promotion and treatment uptake initiatives will be necessary to ensure Australia meets 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets. Increasing treatment uptake will be assisted by a better understanding of the treatment experience and patient-perceived benefits. This study describes the perceived physical health benefits from direct-acting antiviral (DAA) hepatitis C treatment among people who inject drugs in Melbourne, Australia. Methods Twenty participants were recruited from a community treatment trial and community health clinics. Semi-structured interviews were performed with each participant before, during and following treatment. Interviews focused on treatment experiences, attitudes and motivations. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Results Two themes relating to the physical experience of treatment developed; intersection between physical and mental health and “maybe it’s working”. Participants reported various physical benefits, most prominently, reduced fatigue. Reductions in fatigue resulted in instant and meaningful changes in everyday life. Some participants did experience side effects, which they described as mild. Experiencing noticeable physical benefits during treatment was perceived as validation that treatment was working. Conclusion Physical health benefits of DAA treatment may have carry-on effects on cognitive, emotional or social wellbeing and should be incorporated into how treatment is promoted to those who require it.

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Changes in commitment to change among leaders in home help services

Leadership in Health Services ◽

10.1108/lhs-04-2014-0038 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 216-227 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kristina Westerberg ◽

Susanne Tafvelin

Keyword(s):

Organizational Change ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Change Initiatives ◽

Commitment To Change ◽

Content Type ◽

Team Meetings ◽

Home Help ◽

Home Help Services ◽

One Year ◽

Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of the this study was to explore the development of commitment to change among leaders in the home help services during organizational change and to study this development in relation to workload and stress. During organizational change initiatives, commitment to change among leaders is important to ensure the implementation of the change. However, little is known of development of commitment of change over time. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews with ten leaders by the time an organizational change initiative was launched and follow-up one year later. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the interviews. Findings – Commitment to change is not static, but seems to develop over time and during organizational change. At the first interview, leaders had a varied pattern reflecting different dimensions of commitment to change. One year later, the differences between leaders’ commitment to change was less obvious. Differences in commitment to change had no apparent relationship with workload or stress. Research limitations/implications – The data were collected from one organization, and the number of participants were small which could affect the results on workload and stress in relation to commitment to change. Practical implications – It is important to support leaders during organizational change initiatives to maintain their commitment. One way to accomplish this is to use management team meetings to monitor how leaders perceive their situation. Originality/value – Qualitative, longitudinal and leader studies on commitment to change are all unusual, and taken together, this study shows new aspects of commitment.

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