Individual evaluation of fatigue at work to enhance the safety performance in the construction industry: A systematic review

The construction industry is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries globally due to the dynamic on site activities and labour-intensive characteristics. The construction tasks are physically and cognitively demanding therefore the construction workers are prone to work fatigue which compromises safety performance. The evaluation of fit for duty, or fitness for work (FFW) aims to determine if workers are at risk of adverse impacts of ill-health, injury or accidents. This systematic review aimed to critically summarize up-to-date measures and evaluation tools that were employed to monitor work fitness or fatigue specifically among construction workers. Adhering with the PRISMA protocol, three databases were searched from the inception to 2022, with a total combination of 37 keywords, concluding to the selection of 20 relevant articles. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used as the guide for the study appraisal. A total of 20 articles were reviewed, published from 2008-2022. Majority of the studies employed experimental design. The review identified the subjective evaluation scales and objective measurement tool. The subjective self-response questionnaires can be categorized into single dimension or multidimension covering both physical and mental fitness; whereas the objective measurement tool can be categorized into physiological metrics, physical and cognitive performance measure. The available scientific evidence has raised the relevant issues for on-site practicality and potentially guide the formulation of evidence-based guidelines for the FFW assessment in the construction industry.

Strategies, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of COVID-19 field hospitals: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

COVID-19 has strained healthcare systems, requiring the redesign of their structure, human resource management and clinical approach. Countries have adopted implementation strategies and maximise field hospital functionality to address the issue of overflow of patients with COVID-19. This scoping review was based on the main research question, 'What are the implementation strategies, challenges and opportunities in managing the field hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic?', and aimed to consolidate all recent evidence on COVID-19 field hospital implementation approaches, challenges and potentialities.

DESIGN

Scoping review, following the Arksey and O'Malley's framework, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from 1 January 2020 through 31 December 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Original articles, reviews, case studies and reports written in English were included. Works without full article and articles that did not answer the research questions were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction form in Microsoft Excel. The findings of all included articles were synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

Eighty-five records were reviewed and 25 studies were included. For the field hospital implementation strategies, 'surge capacity', namely space, human resource, supply and system, was discussed in addition to the preparation and workflow of other services such as pharmacy, rehabilitation, food and nutrition. The management of COVID-19 field hospitals is challenging with respect to staff and resource shortages, inability to anticipate patient load and poor communication. The opportunities and recommendations for improvement of management were also highlighted.

CONCLUSIONS

The compilation of lessons learnt may help improve the future management of field hospitals, administratively and clinically.

Correlates of dual/poly tobacco use among school-going adolescents in Malaysia: Findings from a nationwide school-based study

INTRODUCTION

Dual/poly tobacco use is common among youths globally. However, in Malaysia information on dual/poly tobacco use is scarce, thus the present study examines the prevalence and factors associated with dual/poly tobacco users among school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

METHODS

We derived data on tobacco and e-cigarette use among Malaysian adolescents from a nationwide school-based study conducted in 2016. A total of 13135 adolescents responded in the cross-sectional survey which used multi-stage sampling to select a representative sample of school-going adolescents aged 11–19 years. A standard validated questionnaire was used to obtain the data and multiple logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with dual/ poly tobacco use.

RESULTS

The prevalence of dual/poly tobacco use was 6.5%, more than half of which were both conventional and e-cigarette users. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the likelihood of dual tobacco use was significantly higher among males (AOR=14.73; 95% CI: 9.11–23.81), secondary school students, those aged 16–19 years (AOR=5.99; 95% CI: 4.04–8.87), natives of Sabah (AOR=7.41; 95% CI: 3.48–15.79), and those never been taught on the health hazards of tobacco at school, exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) at home, school or other public areas, and had a positive perception of e-cigarettes and lower perception of the harms of tobacco smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the prevalence of dual/poly users was still low among Malaysian school-going adolescents, proactive measures should be taken to reduce dual tobacco use among youth in Malaysia with focus on the factors identified in this study.

Susceptibility to e-cigarette initiation among tobacco product naïve adolescents in Malaysia: Findings from the tobacco and e-cigarette survey among Malaysian adolescents (TECMA)

INTRODUCTION

Predicting susceptibility to e-cigarette (EC) initiation among adolescents is crucial to optimize preventive measures before the health risk behavior persists through adulthood. The identification of susceptible groups is needed in response to the surge of EC use. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants associated with EC susceptibility among tobacco product naïve (never users of any single tobacco product) school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

METHODS

Data were derived from the Tobacco and EC Survey among Malaysians (TECMA), which recruited a total of 13162 school-going adolescents aged 10– 19 years from 138 randomly selected schools via a two-stage stratified cluster sampling design. A validated self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey was utilized as the study instrument. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 descriptively and with multivariable logistic regression to determine the associated factors of EC susceptibility.

RESULTS

About 15.7% of the tobacco naïve adolescents were susceptible to EC initiation, with the proportion of susceptibility significantly higher among males, mid-adolescents, rural adolescents, those reporting exposure to tobacco advertisement and those not taught in school about the danger of tobacco use. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the male students (AOR=2.20; 95% CI: 1.86–2.59) from a rural locality (AOR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.23–1.71), those reporting no lessons on the danger of tobacco use at school (AOR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.39–1.99) and those exposed to tobacco advertisement (AOR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.07–2.61), were more susceptible to EC initiation, while no significant association was found between secondhand smoke exposure and EC susceptibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive EC preventive strategies are critically needed together with the implementation of targeted, gender, and culturally impressionable interventions. In addition, future studies should focus on the evaluation of the impacts of the preventive and control efforts to ensure their effectiveness in preventing EC initiation among Malaysian adolescents.

USING THE THEORY OF REASONED ACTION TO PREDICT SMOKING INTENTION AMONG NON-SMOKING SECONDARY SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENTS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The study aims to determine the relationship of attitude and social-norm with the intention to smoke in the future among non-smoking youth. Data were derived from a study on smoking among form four students in a selected secondary school in Peninsular Malaysia, which utilised a pre-validated questionnaire to obtain data from the selected respondents. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used in data analysis. The study revealed independent variables accounted for 22.6% of the variance in intention to initiate smoking and the model had a good fit. A significant relationship was observed between subjective norm and intention to initiate smoking (R=0.46). The study revealed that attitude and social norm substantially explained intention to smoke among non-smoking adolescents. Future measures should concentrate on correcting the subjective norms to reduce the intention to initiate smoking among non-smoking youth.

Prevalence and factors related to secondhand smoke exposure among secondary school-going adolescents in Malaysia: Findings from Malaysia Global Health School Survey 2012 and 2017

INTRODUCTION

Secondhand (SHS) smoke exposure has caused various health problems. Therefore, continuous monitoring of SHS exposure is important to determine the efficacy of various anti-tobacco measure implemented. The study aims to compare the prevalence and factor(s) associated with SHS exposure among secondary school-going adolescents in Malaysia during 2012 and 2017.

METHODS

We derived data from the Global School Health Survey (GSHS) 2012 and GSHS 2017, which was carried out in Malaysia using multistage sampling to select representative samples of secondary school-going adolescents. Both surveys used similar questionnaires to measure SHS exposure. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the prevalence and factors associated with SHS exposure.

RESULTS

Approximately four in ten respondents were exposed to SHS in the past week in both surveys (41.5% in GSHS 2012 and 42.0% in GSHS 2017, respectively). Both surveys revealed a significantly higher SHS exposure among respondents who smoked than among non-smokers and higher among males compared to females. The likelihood of SHS exposure in both surveys was also similar, with a higher likelihood of SHS exposure among smoking adolescents and non-smoking adolescents who had at least one smoking parent/guardian, regardless of their own smoking status. Male adolescents had a higher risk of SHS exposure compared to their female counterparts. Meanwhile, SHS risk also increased with age, regardless of smoking status.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that there were no changes in the prevalence of SHS exposure and recorded only a slight change in the factors associated with exposure to SHS among school-going adolescents in Malaysia between the years 2012 and 2017. A more pro-active, extensive and comprehensive programme should be implemented to address the problem of SHS exposure. Parents should be advised to stop smoking or abstain from smoking in the presence of their children, and smoking cessation interventions are necessary for smoking adolescents and their parents.

STAGES OF SMOKING CESSATION AMONG ADULT CURRENT SMOKERS IN MALAYSIA: FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL E-CIGARETTE SURVEY 2016

Identification of the stages of smoking cessation among smokers is essential to improve the rate of smoking cessation. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stages of smoking cessation across the demographic distribution of adult smokers in Malaysia. Data were derived from a population-based study among Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above. Face-to-face interviews were carried out by trained staff using a validated questionnaire to obtain data related to smoking from 4,288 selected respondents. Of 4,288, 438 respondents are current smokers. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with stage of smoking cessation. Approximately 60% (n=269/438) of the current smokers were in the pre-contemplation stage and 40% (n=169/438) were in the contemplation and preparation stages of smoking cessation. The proportion of pre-contemplators was higher among smokers with higher levels of nicotine addiction (71.3%), lower education attainment (71.4%), and those who were single/widowed/divorced (66.9%). Multivariable analysis showed that males, and those who reported low to high level of nicotine addiction were more likely to be in the pre-contemplation stage whilst those in the older age groups were more likely to be in the advanced stage of smoking cessation. The study revealed that the majority of current smokers in Malaysia had no intention to quit smoking within 6 months. Specific interventions targeting males, young adults and smokers with low to high nicotine addiction should be introduced to ensure the smokers proceed to the advanced stage of smoking cessation.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Attempts to Quit and Smoking Cessation in Malaysia

Smoking cessation significantly reduces risk of smoking-related diseases and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with attempts to quit and smoking cessation among adult current smokers in Malaysia. Data from the National E-Cigarette Survey 2016 were analyzed. Forty nine percent of current smokers had attempted to quit at least once in the past 12 months and 31.4% of the respondents were former smokers. Multivariable analysis revealed that current smokers with low nicotine addiction and aged below 45 years were more likely to attempt to quit smoking. Being married, older age group, and having tertiary education were significantly associated with smoking cessation. Only half of the current smokers ever attempted to quit smoking and only a third of smokers quit. Stronger tobacco control policies are needed in Malaysia to encourage more smokers to quit smoking. Improved access to cessation support for underprivileged smokers is also needed.

Smoking susceptibility among non-smoking school-going adolescents in Malaysia: findings from a national school-based survey

OBJECTIVE

The identification of susceptible non-smoking adolescents is an essential step in reducing smoking initiation among adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with smoking susceptibility among non-smoking school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Primary and secondary schools in Malaysia.

PARTICIPANTS

11 246 non-smoking school-going adolescents.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The prevalence and factors associated with smoking susceptibility among non-smoking school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

RESULTS

Approximately 14% of non-smokers were susceptible to smoking, and the prevalence of susceptibility was significantly higher among males, ever-smokers and e-cigarette users. The odds of susceptibility to smoking were higher among males, e-cigarette users, those aged 12 years and under and those who had ever smoked or tried cigarettes. Students from schools with educational programmes on the health effects of second-hand smoke (SHS) and who perceived smoking to be harmful were less likely to be susceptible to smoking.

CONCLUSION

Smoking susceptibility is prevalent among school-going adolescents. A comprehensive approach that enhances or reinforces health education programmes on the adverse health effects of smoking and SHS among school children, that considers multiple factors and that involves all stakeholders is urgently needed to reduce the prevalence of smoking susceptibility among vulnerable subgroups, as identified from the present findings.

Clustering of lifestyle risk behaviours and its determinants among school-going adolescents in a middle-income country: a cross-sectional study

Background

Lifestyle risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and low fruit/vegetable intake have been identified as the major causes of chronic diseases. Such behaviours are usually instigated in adolescence and tend to persist into adulthood. Studies on the clustering of lifestyle risk behaviours among adolescents are scarce, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the present paper aimed to determine the clustering of lifestyle risk behaviours and its determinants among school-going adolescents in Malaysia.

Methods

Data were extracted from a cross-sectional study, the Malaysian Adolescent Health Risk Behaviour (MyAHRB) study, which was conducted from May to September 2013 across 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A two-stage proportionate-to-size sampling method was employed to select a total of 3578 school-going adolescents aged 16–17 years from 20 selected schools in urban and rural settlements, respectively. The MyAHRB study adopted a set of self-administered questionnaires adapted from the Global School-based Student’s Health Survey (GSHS) and the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance.

Results

The results from the analysis of 2991 school-going adolescents aged 16–17 years showed that 16 (in boys) and 15 (in girls) out of 32 combinations of lifestyle risk behaviours clustered. Girls (aOR 2.82, 95% CI: 2.32–3.43) were significantly more likely to have clustered risk behaviours than boys; however, no significant associated factors were observed among girls. In contrast, boys of Malay descent (aOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.89) or boys who had at least three friends (aOR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.43–0.99) were less likely to engage in multiple risk behaviours.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated the clustering of multiple risk behaviours that occurred in both genders; these results suggest that multiple behaviour intervention programmes, instead of programmes based on siloed approaches, should be advocated and targeted to the high-risk sub-populations identified in the present study.

Is the implementation of smoke-free policies at workplaces associated with living in a smoke-free home?: Findings from a national population-based study in Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Studies have shown that the implementation of smoke-free policies at workplaces have shifted the social norms towards secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home. This study aimed to investigate whether working in a smoke-free workplace is associated with living in a smoke-free home (SFH).

METHODS

The data were derived from the Malaysian Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-M), collected in 2011-2012, involving 4250 respondents. Data analyses involved 1343 respondents reported to be in the working population.

RESULTS

More than half of the respondents (58.5%) were reportedly working in smoke-free workplaces. Almost a quarter (24.8%) of those who worked in smoke-free workplaces stayed in smoke-free homes, which was more than two times higher than their counterparts who worked at non-smoke-free workplaces (24.8% vs 12.0%, p<0.001). Multivariable analyses further substantiated this finding (AOR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.11-3.61, reference group = worked at non-smoke-free workplaces).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found an association between living in smoke-free homes and working at smoke-free workplaces, which could suggest a positive impact of implementing smoke-free workplaces.

Source of cigarettes among youth smokers in Malaysia: Findings from the tobacco and e-cigarette survey among Malaysian school adolescents (TECMA)

INTRODUCTION

Understanding how and where youth obtain tobacco products are major factors in the development of suitable intervention programs to reduce youth smoking. This study aimed to determine the source of cigarettes and the associated factors among Malaysian school adolescent smokers.

METHODS

Our sample consisted of 1348 youth aged 10-17 years who were current smokers (having smoked at least once in the last 30 days). The source of cigarettes (commercial, over-the-counter purchases; or social, borrowing or obtaining from someone else) was the dependent variable, and multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine its association with independent variables (i.e. sociodemographics, smoking behavior, and knowledge of laws prohibiting sales of cigarettes to youth).

RESULTS

Over half (54.3%) of current smokers obtained cigarettes from commercial sources, with a proportion nearly two times higher (84.2% vs 43.7%) among frequent smokers (i.e. those smoking more than 20 days per month) compared to less-frequent smokers, and among young males (56.5% vs 32.0%) compared young females. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that in urban areas, young females (AOR=12.5, 95% CI: 1.38-99.8) frequent smokers (AOR=4.41, 95% CI: 2.05-9.46), and those studying in lower (AOR=3.76, 95% CI: 1.41-10.02) and upper secondary (AOR=4.74, 95% CI: 1.72-13.06) school students were more likely to obtain cigarettes from a commercial source. On the other hand, in rural areas, only frequent smokers were more likely to get their cigarettes from commercial sources, whilst other variables were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of youth smokers who obtained cigarettes from commercial sources appeared to be high, suggesting that law enforcement and health promotion activities should be enhanced to reduce the rate of smoking among Malaysian youth.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure at home and at the workplace among non-smokers in Malaysia: Findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2011

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the prevalence of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and the associated factors is beneficial for the formulation of effective measures to reduce exposure to SHS. The purpose of this study was to determine SHS exposure at home and workplace, and its associated factors among non-smoker Malaysian adults.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey-Malaysia (GATS-M) that involved a representative sample of 5112 Malaysian adults. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between SHS exposure, sociodemographic factors, knowledge on the danger of SHS, and smoking restrictions at home and at work among non-smokers.

RESULTS

Among non-smoker Malaysians, age ≥15 years, 27.9% (equivalent to approximately 4.21 million non-smokers) and 33.9% (equivalent to approximately 1.37 million non-smokers) reported that they were exposed to SHS at home and the workplace, at least once a month, respectively. Women (AOR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.61-2.78), young individuals (AOR=3.06, 95% CI: 1.48-6.33), Malays (AOR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.56-3.64) or other Bumiputra ethnic groups (AOR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.39-4.19) and those who worked as other than government employees were more likely to report SHS exposure at home (non-government employee: AOR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.06-3.36). Respondents with a total smoking restriction at home did not report any SHS exposure at home. Similarly, those whose workplace had smoking restrictions were less likely to report SHS exposure at the work compared to their counterparts whose workplace had partial (AOR=3.08, 95% CI: 1.84-5.15) or no smoking restrictions (AOR=15.33, 95% CI: 6.75-34.86).

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of Malaysian adults were exposed to SHS at home and at work. The findings emphasize the need for policies on smoking restrictions at work and the need to promote the adoption of a completely smoke-free home, among the Malaysian population.