BACKGROUND:Night shift work is increasingly prevalent and has been linked to various health risks. However, nationally representative evidence regarding disease burden, lifestyle behaviours and healthcare access among night shift workers remains scarce. AIMS:To examine the associations between night shift work and chronic disease burden, lifestyle patterns and barriers to care in a large Japanese population. METHODS:We analysed data from the Japan 'COVID-19 and Society' Internet Survey, a nationwide, web-based, self-reported questionnaire conducted in September-October 2023. Among 33 000 respondents, 28 481 provided valid responses and were included in this cross-sectional study. Night shift workers were identified by reported frequency of working between 10.00 p.m. and 5.00 a.m. Multivariable logistic regression models with inverse probability weighting were used to assess associations with health outcomes, adjusting for demographics and socioeconomic status. RESULTS:A total of 6486 respondents (22.8%) were classified as night shift workers. Night shifters were more likely to report several chronic conditions, including diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory, kidney, liver diseases and cancer. Furthermore, night shift workers were more likely to sleep less and skip breakfast, but less likely to report snacking or physical inactivity. They also faced more healthcare access issues, including missed annual checkups and postponed treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Night shift workers in Japan reported disproportionate chronic disease burdens and care access barriers. Tailored strategies are needed to support this vulnerable workforce.
BACKGROUND:Actors face significant occupational health challenges, including high rates of physical injury, mental health problems and voice disorders. Immersive theatre is a novel but growing performance genre in which actors must navigate a shared space with the audience. Currently, no research has investigated the effects this working environment has on the health and wellbeing of actors. AIMS:To explore how the unique nature of the immersive theatre working environment may impact the physical, vocal and mental health of actors. METHODS:Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with immersive theatre actors. Interviews were conducted online, recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS:Analysis identified 12 sub-themes grouped into 4 themes: Vocal Health, Physical Health, Mental Health and Audience Management. Key concerns include vocal strain from a high vocal demand in difficult environmental conditions, cognitive overload from constant improvisation in highly stimulating settings, an elevated physical injury risk linked to a hazardous environment and lack of healthcare support, and personal safety concerns whilst working in the same space as an unpredictable audience. CONCLUSIONS:Actors value the creative aspects of immersive theatre but face serious genre-specific occupational health risks. Targeted guidelines are needed for this expanding industry.
BACKGROUND:Nurses working rotating shifts often experience poor sleep quality due to circadian rhythm disruption. Previous reviews primarily focused on managerial changes to improve nurses' alertness during night shifts. Although some studies found that individual-level non-pharmacological interventions may significantly alleviate sleep problems, past reviews focused only on aromatherapy. AIMS:To understand current trends and synthesise the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for improving shift nurses' sleep quality. METHODS:A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using seven databases for experimental trials published from 2014 to 2024 examining the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on improving shift nurses' sleep quality. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Meta-analysis was performed under fixed or random effect model according to heterogeneity assessed by I2 statistics. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis were also conducted. RESULTS:A total of 15 articles were included in the narrative synthesis, and 11 of them were included in the meta-analysis. Mindfulness programs were the most common intervention, followed by aromatherapy. Overall pooled analyses of 11 studies showed a significant improvement in shift nurses' sleep quality with a standardised mean difference (SMD) of -0.63 (95% CI -1.01 to -0.25; P = 0.001; X2 = 71.53; I2 = 86%; P < 0.00001). Mindfulness programs were found to be beneficial, but no significant improvement was noted for aromatherapy. CONCLUSIONS:Non-pharmacological interventions could effectively improve shift nurses' sleep quality. Mindfulness programs are gaining popularity and were shown to be beneficial but need to be further improved with personalised counselling to improve compliance with irregular work schedules.
BACKGROUND:Informal processing of Semecarpus anacardium (marking nut) provides livelihood to many women in rural India. The nut contains potent phenolic compounds with strong irritant and allergenic properties, yet occupational contact dermatitis related to this exposure remains poorly documented in community settings. AIMS:To describe the prevalence, clinical severity and occupational determinants of contact dermatitis among female informal workers involved in marking nut processing in rural Vidarbha, India. METHODS:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among all eligible female workers engaged in marking nut processing in a rural village in Maharashtra. Trained healthcare workers performed clinical skin examinations. Contact dermatitis was diagnosed based on clinical features and occupational exposure history, and severity was graded as mild, moderate or severe. Associations between dermatitis severity and selected sociodemographic and occupational factors were analysed. RESULTS:A total of 125 women were included. Recurrent work-related contact dermatitis was reported by 115 participants (92%), although only 5 (4%) had clinically active disease at the time of examination. On clinical assessment, 95 (76%) participants had moderate to severe dermatitis. Greater disease severity was significantly associated with increasing age, longer occupational exposure, longer daily working hours, lower educational status and engagement in higher-risk activities such as roasting and oil extraction. CONCLUSIONS:Contact dermatitis due to S. anacardium is a significant but neglected occupational health problem among women in informal rural labour. Awareness, health education and safer handling practices are urgently needed to reduce disease burden.
BACKGROUND:Adequate nutrition and hydration during clinical workdays are essential for physicians' wellbeing, health, cognitive function, and performance. Anaesthesiology residents work in high-pressure environments that may hinder adherence to recommended dietary and fluid intake guidelines and impair their healthy eating and drinking habits. AIMS:To assess the dietary and hydration habits of anaesthesiology residents in Germany, identify workplace-related barriers, and evaluate their readiness for behavioural change. METHODS:A nationwide, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among anaesthesiology residents in German hospitals. The questionnaire assessed nutrition, hydration, food access at work, perceived barriers, and readiness for change. Descriptive and inferential analyses were applied. RESULTS:A total of 257 residents completed the survey. The majority (64%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.70) consumed less than the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Sweet snacks were frequently eaten during work (68% >1x/week, 95% CI 0.62-0.73). Nearly half of female (50%) and one-third of male participants (32%) drank less than 1L per day. While most participants drank water daily at work (90%), caffeine intake was also high (56% daily). Main barriers to healthy eating included time constraints, workload, and limited food availability. Meals were not frequently skipped. Most participants (88%, P < 0.001) expressed willingness to change their dietary behaviour. CONCLUSIONS:Nutritional and hydration habits among German anaesthesiology residents were suboptimal and constrained by workplace factors. Improving access to healthy food and ensuring structured breaks may support resident wellbeing and performance.
BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Taxi drivers constitute a high-risk occupational group due to prolonged sedentary work, extended shifts and chronic stress, beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. AIMS:To describe the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and their sociodemographic and occupational associations among taxi drivers in Medellín, Colombia. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of 484 taxi drivers recruited citywide. We obtained data using a structured questionnaire on sociodemographic and occupational factors and self-reported diagnoses of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes. We assessed physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and alcohol and tobacco use with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. We estimated prevalences and analysed associations with multiple risk factors using chi-squared test and Poisson regression with a robust error variance. RESULTS:Sedentary lifestyle prevalence was 71%; hypertension 30%; dyslipidaemia 24%; hazardous alcohol use 25%; hazardous tobacco use 14%; and diabetes 10%. Overall, 52% of participants had two or more CHD risk factors. In adjusted models, a higher prevalence of multiple risk factors was observed among drivers with primary education (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.71; 95% CI 1.26-2.32) and secondary education (aPR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.06-1.93), more than 10 years of driving experience (aPR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.09-1.75) and mixed day and night shifts (aPR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.01-1.40), after adjustment for sociodemographic and occupational variables. CONCLUSIONS:Taxi drivers in Medellín show a high burden of CHD risk factors, underscoring the need for targeted occupational health interventions addressing modifiable conditions.
Predatory journals and conferences exploit the open-access model of publishing threatening the professional reputations of researchers and the integrity of published scientific research. In occupational medicine, where research directly informs workplace health and safety and clinical guidelines, the risks are amplified. This article describes the tactics used by predatory publishers and conference organizers and provides a practical framework for researchers to protect themselves and their work.
Introduction: Providers of occupational health services face a broader and more complex range of ethical challenges than other healthcare providers due to the distinctive nature of their professional responsibilities. For this reason, international organizations have developed and published specialized ethical guideline. In Iran, the presence of specific regulations and contextual conditions has intensified these challenges, particularly with respect to confidentiality and the protection of workers’ autonomy. Accordingly, there is a clear need for an ethical guideline capable of addressing ethical dilemmas in the field. In response to this need, the Professional Ethics Guideline for Occupational Health Service Provision in Iran was developed. Materials and Methods: Following the establishment of a guideline development team, a comprehensive review of the relevant literature was conducted. Ethical codes were extracted from existing documents and aligned with the ethical guidelines of the Iranian Medical Council Organization and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The ethical codes were subsequently drafted by the development team and finalized after receiving written feedback and holding a consultative meeting with key stakeholders. Results: After completion of the development process, the guideline was finalized in 11 chapters comprising 61 clauses, along with an accompanying glossary. Owing to the specific conditions governing occupational health service provision in Iran, ethical codes related to confidentiality, autonomy, integrity, professional independence, and conflicts of interest were elaborated in greater detail. Conclusion: As the first professional ethics guideline for occupational health service provision developed in Iran, this document may serve as a practical and ethical reference for professionals who strive to adhere to ethical principles despite significant ethical challenges in this field. Effective engagement by responsible authorities in addressing issues related to non-adherence to ethical principles in occupational health services may enable more rapid and comprehensive resolution of existing challenges.
Introduction: Psychosocial factors in the workplace are considered significant occupational hazards in the field of ergonomics and occupational health. Planning to reduce these factors and promote employees' occupational health has been widely recommended. Several tools exist for assessing these factors, among which the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) is one of the most reliable instruments. This study aimed to review the applications of the Persian version of the COPSOQ. Materials and Methods: This scoping review was conducted through a systematic search in international databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, as well as reputable Persian databases such as SID and ISC, within the timeframe of 2005 to 2024. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria and relevance to the research question. Results: The initial search identified 126 documents, of which 16 studies were analyzed after the final screening. Four studies examined the psychometric properties of the first, second, and third versions of COPSOQ, all confirming the validity and reliability of the tool for use in Iranian workplaces. One study highlighted the comprehensiveness of this tool for assessing psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Eleven studies explored various psychosocial dimensions of the workplace using different versions of COPSOQ, emphasizing the importance of improving these factors to enhance employee health and efficiency. Conclusion: Over the past 19 years, different versions of COPSOQ have evolved, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of psychosocial dimensions in the workplace. Localizing this tool and adding new subscales in line with recent occupational changes, such as emerging technologies and virtual interactions, could improve its applicability.
Introduction: The demanding conditions of firefighting impose significant stress on the cardiovascular system of firefighters, making them susceptible to severe injuries and sudden cardiac events. This study aimed to investigate the effects of watermelon juice consumption on Electrophysiological indices and mean blood pressure in male firefighters. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental pretest–posttest study, 30 male firefighters aged 25–30 from Pakdasht, Tehran, were randomly assigned to two groups: watermelon juice and placebo. The supplement group consumed 500 mL of watermelon juice daily، while the placebo group received a sugar-free watermelon-flavored drink for four weeks. Both groups performed routine firefighter-specific CrossFit training three sessions per week throughout the study, utilizing firefighter-specific workouts designed based on WODs. Each session lasted 45-60 minutes, and the weight lifted was selected at 50-70% of each individual's maximum capacity. Blood pressure and electrocardiograms of the participants were recorded before and after the intervention. Analysis of covariance was used P≤0.05. Results: Watermelon juice consumption led to a significant reduction in heart rate and mean blood pressure )P=0.001), whereas PR interval, ST segment, and T-wave voltage showed no significant changes P>0.05. Conclusion: Daily watermelon juice consumption may improve some cardiac function indices and mean blood pressure in male firefighters
Introduction: Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) leads to widespread alterations in the upper quarter of the body and represents the most common pattern of postural dysfunction. It describes muscular imbalance and dysfunction of the shoulder girdle and the cervicothoracic region. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of an eight-week corrective exercise program using a physioball on thoracic kyphosis angle and forward head posture in individuals with occupational Upper Crossed Syndrome. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest design was conducted on 30 male participants diagnosed with UCS. Participants were randomly assigned (simple randomization by drawing lots) into an experimental group and a control group. The participants’ mean age, height, and weight were respectively: control group and experimental group—age (38.48 ± 5.14; 44.31 ± 5.39 years), height (161.85 ± 8.48; 159.15 ± 4.84 cm), and weight (63.31 ± 8.43; 64.54 ± 10.70 kg). Physical parameters included assessment of thoracic kyphosis angle (using a flexible ruler) and forward head angle (photogrammetric method). Measurements were recorded at baseline and after eight weeks. The experimental group performed the exercise protocol for eight weeks, three sessions per week. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25 (p ≤ 0.05). Paired t-tests and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare within-group and between-group changes, respectively. Results: ANCOVA results showed that the mean forward head angle in the control group was 59.49±1.56 at pre-test and 57.67±2.35 at post-test, while in the physioball corrective-exercise group it was 62.16±3.38 at pre-test and 52.22±2.89 at post-test (P=0.001). The mean thoracic kyphosis angle in the control group was 59.49±1.44 at pre-test and 57.67±2.22 at post-test, whereas in the physioball corrective-exercise group it was 62.16±3.65 at pre-test and 52.22±2.45 at post-test (P=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings, a combined corrective exercise program using a physioball significantly improves forward head posture (P=0.001) and thoracic kyphosis (P=0.001). Given that this exercise protocol can be performed at home, individuals are recommended to incorporate it alongside other exercise programs.
Introduction: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition and a significant global public health concern. It results from a combination of psychological, social, and ergonomic factors. However, accurate estimates of its prevalence are still lacking. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of low back pain and its relationship with occupational and psychosocial factors in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review. Relevant studies were identified through searches of twelve Persian and English electronic databases using keywords such as low back pain, epidemiology, occupational factors, and psychosocial factors. These studies include the investigation of the prevalence of low back pain and its relationship with occupational and psychosocial factors, which were published in Persian or English between the years 2005 and 2025 AD and 1384 to 1405 in the Iranian calendar. Results: Seventeen studies involving a total of 6,454 participants met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the present review. Participants were categorized into three groups: administrative and industrial workers (n=1502), school pupils and university students (n=2089), and healthcare workers (n=2863). The analysis of mean prevalence rates showed that the overall prevalence of low back pain was 44.52% among administrative and industrial workers, 53.5% among pupils and students, and 62.31% among healthcare workers. In other words, healthcare workers—particularly nurses and emergency staff experienced low back pain more frequently than the other studied groups. Furthermore, the findings indicated significant associations between low back pain and physical–psychological workload, social functioning, daily working hours, job tenure, quality of life, anxiety and stress, as well as social support. Conclusion: The findings indicate a high prevalence of low back pain among healthcare workers, students, and industrial workers. Considering the factors associated with low back pain in these three groups, it is essential that preventive strategies and intervention programs be designed and implemented according to the specific characteristics and needs of each group.
