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.
BACKGROUND:Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a leading occupational health problem in Ethiopia, contributing to functional impairment and long‑term disability. AIMS:This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of MSDs in Ethiopia and identify associated ergonomic risk factors to inform occupational health policy and preventive strategies. METHODS:A systematic review and meta‑analysis of 31 studies including 12 419 participants from five Ethiopian regions was conducted. Pooled prevalence estimates and ergonomic risk factors were analysed. RESULTS:The overall pooled prevalence of MSDs was 63% (95% confidence interval: 53.05-72.35). Regional variation was observed, with Addis Ababa reporting the highest prevalence (81%) and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region the lowest (48%). By occupation, sewing machine operators experienced the greatest burden (97%). Lower back pain was the most common MSD (43%). Significant ergonomic risk factors included awkward posture (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.74), prolonged sitting (AOR: 3.00) and repetitive work (AOR: 2.52). Protective factors such as older age, female sex and ergonomic training were associated with reduced risk. CONCLUSIONS:MSDs are highly prevalent among Ethiopian workers, with marked variation across regions and occupations. The findings underscore the urgent need for workplace modifications, ergonomic training and policy interventions to reduce occupational MSD risks and safeguard long‑term workforce health.
Background Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruptions to working life, its impact on long-term sickness absence (LTSA) remains poorly understood.Aims To examine if the registered number of LTSA episodes, i.e. a significant indicator of productive loss at the workplace, has changed before and after the spread of COVID-19 among a Japanese working population.Methods Data came from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study, in which a study-specific registry was launched to collect information on LTSA from April 2012 to December 2022. An autoregressive moving-average model was applied to incident LTSA data from April 2012 to January 2020 for forecasting from February 2020 to December 2022. We analysed and compared predicted versus observed LTSA incidences, focusing on all-cause and cause-specific LTSA, including mental disorders and other causes.Results All-cause LTSA fell below the lower 95% prediction interval (PI) in May 2020 and exceeded the upper PI in October 2020, October 2021, and July 2022. For mental health-related LTSA, declines were noted in March and May 2020, followed by peaks exceeding the upper 95% PI in October and November 2020, and July and October 2021. LTSA due to other causes remained low throughout most of the study period, although it did not fall below the PIs.Conclusions Long-term sickness absence declined in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic but subsequently remained at relatively high levels. LTSA due to mental disorders persisted at elevated levels until the end of the study period.
BACKGROUND:Workers in specialist and other high-risk roles can experience secondary traumatic stress and related symptoms through routine exposure to distressing material, yet organisational responses vary widely. Evidence for the effectiveness of commonly used approaches (e.g. screening, training, counselling/debriefing, mindfulness/resilience) remains uncertain and fragmented. AIMS:To evaluate the effectiveness of mental health screening, training and psychological interventions in reducing psychological harm for employees exposed to potentially traumatic material. METHODS:Five databases (Web of Science, Medline, PsycInfo, Embase, Scopus) were searched in March 2025, using a rapid review approach. A total of 9581 citations were screened for relevance; 28 studies were included in the final review. RESULTS:Quantitative findings showed no benefit of mental health screening, routine counselling, monitoring/periodic assessment, mindfulness or resilience programs; mixed effects for training and neutral-to-adverse findings for debriefing. Qualitative findings favoured supervision and access to informal support; debriefing/counselling results were mixed. Cross-sectional studies suggested associations between better organisational support and fewer psychological stress symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, efficacy evidence is limited and inconsistent across approaches. However, the strongest evidence suggests that organisations should avoid mandating psychological debriefing.
