In order to investigate the mortality of a cohort of chrysotile asbestos miners in China and evaluate its association with exposure to chrysotile, a fixed cohort of 1932 workers in chrysotile asbestos mine was established in 1981 and followed till June 1, 2010. Information on vital status, cause of death and smoking habits was collected. The workers were divided into two groups according to their exposure status. The exposed group was composed of frontline workers who worked directly on mining or processing asbestos products. The control group consisted of those who were not directly exposed to asbestos in their work. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated according to Chinese national death rates. Cox proportional hazards model was applied to estimate the adjusted relative risks of deaths from major causes in exposed and control groups. The results of this study showed that main causes of mortality were malignant neoplasm, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and respiratory disease for chrysotile miners. The mortality rate was 939.20 per 100 000 person-years for workers. The SMR for all causes of death was 1.46 in the cohort. Statistically significant mortality excesses were found for lung cancer (SMR=1.51), pulmonary heart disease (SMR=2.70), respiratory disease (SMR=1.93), asbestosis (SMR=9.62), and accident (SMR=1.59). The mortalities from malignant neoplasm, lung cancer, cerebrovascular disease and digestive disease in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The findings indicate that chrysotile exposure is a risk factor for lung cancer, respiratory disease, cerebrovascular disease and digestive disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occurrence and associated factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rescuers and firefighters.

METHODSThe PTSD of 264 rescuers and firefighters who had participated in rescue was evaluated using the self-designed fireman general situation questionnaire and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). The factors associated with the occurrence of PTSD were also analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of PTSD in the subjects was 8.3%. The PTSD rate of special service corps (12%) was significantly higher than that of other subjects (P<0.05). The incidence of PTSD was highest in the rescuers and firefighters above the third rank, but without significant differences (P>0.05). The PTSD rate of married rescuers and firefighters was significantly higher than that of unmarried subjects (P<0.05). The PTSD rate of subjects addicted to drinking was significantly higher than that of non-drinking subjects (P<0.05). Subjects with more frequent attendance were more susceptible to PTSD compared with those with less attendance.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence rate of PTSD is high in rescuers and firefighters who have attended rescues. It is necessary to implement both short-term and long-term counseling programs for stress management and intervention in order to reduce the psychological trauma after rescue and improve the mental health of rescuers and firefighters.

Firefighters ; psychology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; diagnosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Communicable Disease Control ; Communicable Diseases ; Disease Notification ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between population characteristics and work ability of employees with a multilevel model, to investigate the important influencing factors for work ability, and to provide a basis for improvement in work ability.

METHODSWork ability index (WAI)was applied to measure the work ability of 1686 subjects from different companies (n=6). MLwi N2.0 software was applied for two-level variance component model fitting.

RESULTSThe WAI of employees showed differences between various companies (χ2=3.378 6, P=0.0660); working years was negatively correlated with WAI (χ2=38.229 2, P=0.0001), and the WAI of the employees with 20 or more working years was 1.63 lower than that of the employees with less than 20 working years; the work ability of manual workers was lower than that of mental-manual workers (χ2=8.2726, P=0.0040), and the work ability showed no significant difference between mental workers and mental-manual workers (χ2=2.086 0, P=0.148 7).

CONCLUSIONFrom the perspective of probability, the multilevel model analysis reveals the differences in work ability of employees between different companies, and suggests that company, work type, and working years are the important influencing factors for work ability of employees. These factors should be improved and adjusted to protect or enhance the work ability of employees.

Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Multilevel Analysis ; Occupations ; Probability ; Work ; Work Capacity Evaluation

OBJECTIVETo assess the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) on work ability among workers.

METHODSA total of 1686 workers in various occupations, such as administration and education, were enrolled as subjects using the random cluster sampling method. The WRMDs and work ability of all subjects were evaluated using standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms and the Work Ability Index (WAI) scale, respectively. Comparison of work ability and its classification between the disease group and the non-disease group was performed by paired t test, RxC table χ2 test, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The relationship between work duration and work ability was analyzed by the Spearman correlation test and a multi-level model.

RESULTS(1). The work ability of workers in the disease group was significantly lower than that in the non-disease group (P<0.0 1). (2) There were significant differences in work ability between workers with different work durations (<10 years, 10-20 years, and ≥20 years) (F=22.124, P< 0.01). With the increase in work duration, the work ability of workers declined in both groups, and the work ability of workers in the disease group (Spearman coefficient rs=-0. 172, P<0.01) had a more significant decline than that in the non-disease group (Spearman coefficient rs=-0.104, P<0.01). WRMDs were important risk factors for the decrease in work ability among workers. (3) There were significant differences in constituent ratios and levels of work ability classification between the disease group and the non-disease group (χ2=121.097, P<0.01; Z=-10.699, P<0.01). The proportions of workers with poor and medium work ability in the disease group were significantly higher than those in the non-disease group, while the proportion of works with excellent work ability in the disease group was significantly lower than that in the non-disease group. The similar characteristics in constituent ratios and levels of work ability classification could be found between the disease group and the non- disease group in various occupations (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONWRMDs have a harmful effect on the work ability of workers, and the work ability of workers substantially declines with the increase in exposure time (work duration).

Humans ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; physiopathology ; Occupational Health ; Occupations ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Work Performance

Timely reporting, effective analyses and rapid distribution of surveillance data can assist in detecting the aberration of disease occurrence and further facilitate a timely response. In China, a new nationwide web-based automated system for outbreak detection and rapid response was developed in 2008. The China Infectious Disease Automated-alert and Response System (CIDARS) was developed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention based on the surveillance data from the existing electronic National Notifiable Infectious Diseases Reporting Information System (NIDRIS) started in 2004. NIDRIS greatly improved the timeliness and completeness of data reporting with real time reporting information via the Internet. CIDARS further facilitates the data analysis, aberration detection, signal dissemination, signal response and information communication needed by public health departments across the country. In CIDARS, three aberration detection methods are used to detect the unusual occurrence of 28 notifiable infectious diseases at the county level and to transmit that information either in real-time or on a daily basis. The Internet, computers and mobile phones are used to accomplish rapid signal generation and dissemination, timely reporting and reviewing of the signal response results. CIDARS has been used nationwide since 2008; all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in China at the county, prefecture, provincial and national levels are involved in the system. It assists with early outbreak detection at the local level and prompts reporting of unusual disease occurrences or potential outbreaks to CDCs throughout the country.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current status and characteristics of work-related fatigue among scientific and technical personnel and its associated factors, and to provide a scientific basis for further interventions.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in the staff from a single scientific institution, using a self-administered questionnaire. Basic information of participants, Fatigue Scale-14, and Job Content Questionnaire were collected.

RESULTSThe prevalence of work-related fatigue among the scientific and technical personnel was 54.6%; work-related fatigue was positively correlated with occupational stress (rs = 0.384, P < 0.05). Significant differences in the scores, proportions, and types of fatigue were found between different types of occupational stress. The associated factors of work-related fatigue included occupational stress profiles, social support, and educational status. A higher risk of work-related fatigue was found in the staff under high stress, compared with those under low stress (OR = 8.5, 95%CI = 3.9∼18.7). Social support served as a protective factor for work-related fatigue, while a higher level of education was correlated with more severe work-related fatigue.

CONCLUSIONWork-related fatigue is common and serious among scientific and technical personnel, especially in those under high stress. Effective interventions according to occupational stress are of great importance to reduce work-related fatigue.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatigue ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Research Personnel ; psychology ; Risk Factors ; Social Support ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change pattern of primary and secondary school teachers' work ability with the changes in their mental workload.

METHODSA total of 901 primary and secondary school teachers were selected by random cluster sampling, and then their mental workload and work ability were assessed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaires, whose reliability and validity had been tested. The effects of their mental workload on the work ability were analyzed.

RESULTSPrimary and secondary school teachers' work ability reached the highest level at a certain level of mental workload (55.73< mental workload ≤ 64.10). When their mental workload was lower than the level, their work ability had a positive correlation with the mental workload. Their work ability increased or maintained stable with the increasing mental workload. Moreover, the percentage of teachers with good work ability increased, while that of teachers with moderate work ability decreased. But when their mental workload was higher than the level, their work ability had a negative correlation with the mental workload. Their work ability significantly decreased with the increasing mental workload (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the percentage of teachers with good work ability decreased, while that of teachers with moderate work ability increased (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONToo high or low mental workload will result in the decline of primary and secondary school teachers' work ability. Moderate mental workload (55.73∼64.10) will benefit the maintaining and stabilization of their work ability.

Faculty ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Occupational Health ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sampling Studies ; Schools ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Work ; psychology ; Workload ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the job burnout and mental health status of clinicians and the relationship of personality with job burnout and psychological stress, and to investigate the direct or indirect effects of personality on psychological stress.

METHODSMaslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale (EPQ-RSC), and Kessler 10 Scale were administered to 775 clinicians.

RESULTSOf all clinicians, 29.5% had mild burnout, with a score of 22.7 ± 8.18 for psychological stress risk. The effect of personality on emotional exhaustion and cynicism was greater than that on personal accomplishment. Clinicians with a personality of introversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism suffered a higher risk of psychological stress. Personality had both direct and indirect effects on psychological stress. Neuroticism had the strongest effect on psychological stress, with an effect size of 0.55.

CONCLUSIONClinicians have a high level of both job burnout and mental psychological stress risk. Personality is significantly correlated with job burnout and psychological stress risk. Measures depending on personality should be taken for effective intervention.

Anxiety Disorders ; Burnout, Professional ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Neuroticism ; Personality ; Physicians ; psychology ; Risk ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo characterize the distribution of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) among the occupational population.

METHODSA total of 1686 people of various occupations were recruited with random cluster sampling. Standardized Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal systems were used to evaluate WRMD at the neck, shoulder, or lower back in the past one year. The annual prevalence of WRMD was determined. Difference analysis was performed with t-test, ANOVA, or chi-square test. The relationship between personal characteristics and WRMD was analyzed by unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS(1) WRMD were most frequently observed at the neck, followed by the lower back, and was least observed at the shoulder (P < 0.05). The prevalence of WRMD among mental workers was significantly higher than those among physical workers and mental-physical workers (P < 0.01). The prevalence of WRMD among female workers was significantly higher than that among male workers (P < 0.05). (2) In general, the prevalence of WRMD significantly rose with the increases in age (<30, 30∼, 40∼, and ≥ 50 years) or working years (<10, 10∼, and ≥ 20 years) (P < 0.05). (3) In the face of sickness or injury, physical workers and mental workers showed a relatively high absence rate but a relatively low medical visiting rate (13.05%). (4) Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that mental work, gender, and working year were the main influential factors for WRMD among workers.

CONCLUSIONWorkers of different types of occupation, genders, ages, and working years have different risks of WRMD at the neck, shoulder, and lower back.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology