Interaction between occupational physical burdens and low job control on musculoskeletal pain: Analysis of the 5th Korean Working Environment Survey

Pay-for-performance and low back pain with interaction of overwork: findings from the cross-sectional Korean working conditions survey

Background

Pay-for-performance (PFP) is a type of incentive system where employees receive monetary rewards for meeting predefined standards. While previous research has investigated the relationship between PFP and health outcomes, the focus has primarily been on mental health. Few studies have explored the impact of PFP on specific physical symptoms like pain.

Methods

Data from the Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) was analyzed, encompassing 20,815 subjects with information on PFP and low back pain (LBP). The associations between types of base pay (BP) and PFP with LBP were examined using multivariate logistic regression models, taking into account a directed acyclic graph (DAG). The interaction of overtime work was further explored using stratified logistic regression models and the relative excess risk for interaction.

Results

The odds ratio (OR) for individuals receiving both BP and PFP was statistically significant at 1.19 (95% CI 1.04-1.35) compared to those with BP only. However, when the DAG approach was applied and necessary correction variables were adjusted, the statistical significance indicating a relationship between PFP and LBP vanished. In scenarios without PFP and with overtime work, the OR related to LBP was significant at 1.54 (95% CI 1.35-1.75). With the presence of PFP, the OR increased to 2.02 (95% CI 1.66-2.45).

Conclusion

Pay-for-performance may influence not just psychological symptoms but also LBP in workers, particularly in conjunction with overtime work. The impact of management practices related to overtime work on health outcomes warrants further emphasis in research.

Exploring the Interaction between Physical, Psychosocial, and Neck Pain Symptoms in Construction Workers

OBJECTIVE

Construction workers are significantly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, yet the number of studies conducted in developing nations-where these workers significantly contribute to the economy-remains insufficient. This study aims at exploring the interaction between physical and psychosocial exposure to the onset of neck pain or symptoms amongst construction workers in a developing country.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 235 respondents from various construction projects participated in this study. Participants were assigned into one of four exposure groups: low physical and low psychosocial (which served as the reference group); low physical and high psychosocial; high physical and low psychosocial, and high physical and high psychosocial. To quantitatively assess the interaction, we calculated the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI).

RESULTS

Workers experiencing high levels of both physical and psychosocial risk factors had the highest odds ratio (OR) of neck symptoms (OR: 12.63, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.39 - 46.99) compared to other groups. The AP (AP: 0.33, 95% CI: -0.24 - 0.90), RERI (RERI: 0.40, 95% CI: -0.99 - 1.79), and SI (SI: 1.69, 95% CI: -1.77 - 5.15) revealed an interaction between physical and psychosocial factors that increases the OR of neck symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This result suggests that physical risk factors at work become significantly more detrimental when paired with high psychosocial stress. Hence, ergonomic interventions in the construction industry aiming to reduce musculoskeletal disorders should consider both physical and psychosocial risk factors concurrently.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Ankle-Foot Pain Among Nurses Working in Surgical Units of Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals in Amhara Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022

Background

Ankle-foot pain is a serious public health concern among nurses and has a significant impact on the quality of the health care service delivery system. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units in Ethiopia.

Purpose

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units of comprehensive specialized hospitals in Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.

Participants and Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 nurses working in surgical units of comprehensive specialized hospitals, from May 15 to June 7, 2022. A simple random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected by five BSc nurses using a structured self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. The descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed. Finally, variables were declared as statistically significant at P < 0.05 using the odds ratio and 95% CI.

Results

The prevalence of ankle-foot pain among nurses working in surgical units was 51.8% (95% CI = 46.9-57.5). More than 10 years of working experience [AOR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.35-8.92], working 48 or more hours per week [AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.27-6.00], prolonged standing [AOR = 5.72, 95% CI = 3.20-10.25], high physical job demand [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.53-3.80], and low job control [AOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.47-3.71] had statistically significant association with ankle-foot pain.

Conclusion

This study found that ankle-foot pain was common among nurses working in surgical units. Having more years of work experience, working more hours per week, prolonged standing, high physical job demand, and low job control were statistically associated with ankle-foot pain.

Some of the workforce face post COVID after the acute phase of the illness: The employer’s supportive role

BACKGROUND: A considerable proportion of workers that recover from an acute phase of COVID-19 are confronted with post COVID-19 symptoms of varying severity and duration. Employers have an important role in addressing this new condition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review organisational practises that could help employees suffering from long COVID-19 return to work and to link these suggestions to theoretical frameworks from the field of work and organisational psychology. METHODS: Since scientific publications on post COVID-19 are published daily, but sound empirical studies are still scarce, the synthesis of the scientific and professional literature was performed in the form of a narrative review. RESULTS: The results were organised according to the healthy workplace model and explained through the lens of the job demands-resources theory. The role of the employer has three aspects: collaboration, instructional pillars, and key actors. The main guidelines for implementation of the policies are an individualised approach, flexibility, and support. Supportive policies, practises, and relationships might have a direct impact on workers’ psychological resources. CONCLUSIONS: The model could help employers understand the conditions and necessary adaptations for workers with post COVID-19, as well as advance research in work and organisational psychology.