Aging and the Future of Decent Work

Factors associated with older adults' knowledge, attitude and practice on skin cancer prevention

OBJECTIVES

to identify factors associated with older adults' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding skin cancer prevention.

METHODS

this is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 120 older adults from a Basic Health Unit in Quixadá, Ceará, from September to November 2018.

RESULTS

individuals aged 60 to 69 years and working were statistically associated with adequate knowledge (p=0.038). Having light skin, eyes and hair was associated with adequate attitude (p=0.030). Having skin problems, such as bleeding wounds, was associated with adequate practice (p=0.016). With regard to inappropriate behavior for skin cancer prevention, there was a statistically significant association between working or having worked under direct exposure to the sun, inadequate knowledge (p=0.036), inadequate attitude (p=0.010) and having incomplete primary education and inadequate practice (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

sociodemographic and clinical factors influence older adults' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding skin cancer prevention.

Measuring the decent work of knowledge workers: Constructing and validating a new scale

Through two and half decades, decent work (DW) has been studied mainly on unemployment and underemployment to promote workers' well-being, overlooking the importance of understanding knowledge of workers' (KW's) well-being in the workplace. However, the conflict between organizational performance and KW's well-being has intensified with technology development and the digital economy. This study constructs and validates a new scale for measuring the decent work perception (DWP) of KW in the context of knowledge management (KM). First, 27 in-depth interviews are conducted based on previous research results and grounded theory, resulting 4 dimensions consisting of 32 initial items identified by the KWs as reflecting their perception of DW. The 4dimensions of DWP are work security, respect & support, self-value, and professional skills. Second, 212 KWs participate in the preliminary survey, identifying the initial questionnaire's validity and selecting 13 items from the original questionnaire. Finally, 554 questionnaires are collected for the formal survey. According to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmative factor analysis (CFA), the 13-item decent work perception scale (DWPS) has reasonable reliability and validity. Considering the characteristics of work challenges, work autonomy, and career commitment of KWs, this study contributes to the knowledge of respect & support, self-value, and professional skills on DWPS. It is concluded that the DWPS can be applied to measure DW for KWs. As an effective measurement tool for KWs, this scale is also crucial for helping employees achieve their career goals, and managers understand KWs' demands theoretically and practically.

The problem with "ergonomics injuries": What can ergonomists do?

Effects of psychosocial hazards on risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are often very substantial, but workplace risk management practices focus largely on biomechanical hazards, as do the risk assessment methods used by ergonomists. Translation of research evidence into more effective workplace practices demands a more holistic risk management framework that encompasses both types of hazard. In this context, we evaluate the validity of different MSD risk assessment methods for different purposes, focusing particularly on requirements for routine workplace risk management. These include choice of fit-for-purpose assessment methods, prioritisation of hazards that are most affecting risk, and control actions as high as possible in the risk control hierarchy. Ergonomists could facilitate more effective workplace risk management by promoting: awareness of the need for change; improvements to guidance from OHS regulators; research on MSD-related workplace management issues; and professional development programs on this topic for ergonomists and other OHS practitioners.

A 7-Year Study of the Durability of Improvements in Pain, Physical Function, and Work Productivity After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy

IMPORTANCE

Bariatric surgical procedures are associated with clinically important improvements (CIIs) in pain and physical function. However, there are declines in initial improvement by the third postoperative year, and the long-term durability of improvements are not well-described.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the durability of improvements in pain and physical function through 7 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This study is part of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2 (LABS-2), a cohort study at 10 US hospitals. Adults with severe obesity (ie, body mass index of 35 or greater) undergoing bariatric surgery were assessed preoperatively (2006-2009) and followed up annually for as long as 7 years or until 2015. Of 1829 participants who underwent RYGB or SG in LABS-2, 338 were excluded from this study because they had a follow-up period of less than 5 years. Analysis of participants who underwent RYGB or SG and completed research assessments preoperatively and postoperatively for 5 to 7 years was conducted from March to April 2022.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Preoperative-to-postoperative CIIs in pain and physical function scores from the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, and 400-meter walk time, using previously established thresholds; and remission of mobility deficit, ie, inability to walk 400 meters in 7 minutes or less.

RESULTS

A total of 1491 individuals were included, with 1194 (80%) women; 59 (4%) Hispanic, 164 (11%) non-Hispanic Black, and 1205 (82%) non-Hispanic White individuals; a preoperative median (IQR) age of 47 (38-55) years; and a preoperative median (IQR) body mass index of 47 (42-52). Between 3 and 7 years after surgery, the percentage of participants with preoperative-to-postoperative CIIs in bodily pain decreased from 50% (95% CI, 48%-53%) to 43% (95% CI, 40%-46%), in physical function from 75% (95% CI, 73%-77%) to 64% (95% CI, 61%-68%), and in 400-meter walk time from 61% (95% CI, 56%-65%) to 50% (95% CI, 45%-55%). Among participants with a preoperative mobility deficit, remission decreased from 50% (95% CI, 42%-57%) to 41% (95% CI, 32%-49%), and among participants with severe knee or hip pain or disability, the percentage with CIIs in knee and hip pain and function decreased (eg, hip pain: from 77% [95% CI, 72%-82%] to 65% [95% CI, 58%-72%]; knee function: from 77% [95% CI, 73%-82%] to 72% [95% CI, 67%-77%]).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, despite decreases in preoperative-to-postoperative improvements across follow-up, CIIs in perceived bodily and joint-specific pain and in self-reported and objectively measured physical function ranged from 41% to 72%, depending on the measure and subgroup, 7 years after surgery, suggesting that RYGB and SG are commonly associated with long-term CIIs in pain and physical function.

Occupational Safety and Health Staging Framework for Decent Work

The 2030 United Nations Goal 8 for sustainable development focuses on decent work. There is utility in identifying the occupational safety and health aspects of Goal 8, as they pertain to the four pillars of decent work: job creation, social protection, rights of workers, and social dialogue. A workgroup of the International Commission on Occupational Health and collaborators addressed the issue of decent work and occupational safety and health (OSH) with the objective of elaborating a framework for guidance for practitioners, researchers, employers, workers, and authorities. This article presents that framework, which is based on an examination of the literature and the perspectives of the workgroup. The framework encompasses the intersection of the pillars of decent (employment creation, social protection, rights of workers, and social dialogue) work with new and emerging hazards and risks related to various selected determinants: new technologies and new forms of work; demographics (aging and gender); globalization; informal work; migration; pandemics; and OSH policies and climate change. The OSH field will need an expanded focus to address the future of decent work. This focus should incorporate the needs of workers and workforces in terms of their well-being. The framework identifies a starting point for the OSH community to begin to promote decent work.

Factors Influencing Work Ability among the Working-Age Population in Singburi Province, Thailand

The ability to work is an essential factor in the quality of work life. This study aimed to determine factors related to work ability among the working population in Sing Buri Province. A total of 360 workers completed a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic data and work conditions, psychosocial factors, and measures of the seven components of the work-ability index (WAI). Mean, percentage, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the rates and predictors of the WAI of the participants. Of the 360 participants, 61.40% were women with an average age of 43.00 ± 11.30 years; 36.70% had completed high school education. Their average work experience was 11.30 ± 8.50 years. The results revealed that the average WAI was 31.40 ± 4.15. 76.10% of the participants qualified for the moderate work ability index. The number of current diseases, age, and monthly income were found to significantly contribute to the prediction of the WAI (p < 0.05). This finding suggests that the relevant agencies should support a policy, project or program related to health promotion among the working population with physical health conditions. Promoting occupations should be considered to raise income policy. In doing so, work ability among the working population may be improved.