scholarly journals Impacts of Australian Firefighters’ On-Call Work Arrangements on the Sleep of Partners

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace E. Vincent ◽  
Simone Karan ◽  
Jessica Paterson ◽  
Amy C. Reynolds ◽  
Michelle Dominiak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sleep Quantity ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Relationship Happiness ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Inadequate Sleep

On-call work arrangements are commonly utilised in the emergency services sector and are consistency associated with inadequate sleep. Despite sleep being a common shared behaviour, studies are yet to assess the impact of on-call work on the sleep of co-sleeping partners. This study aimed to investigate whether frequent 24/7 on-call work impacted the sleep and relationship happiness of firefighters’ partners. Two key research questions were investigated: (1) Does the frequency of calls impact sleep and relationship happiness? and, (2) Does the (a) sleep quantity and (b) sleep quality of partners impact perceived relationship happiness? A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire completed by partners of on-call workers (n = 66; 93% female). The questionnaire included items on (i) sleep quantity and quality, (ii) on-call sleep disturbances and, (iii) relationship happiness. Responses were analysed using logistic regression models. Higher overnight call frequency was associated with greater self-reported levels of inadequate sleep (<7 h per night; p = 0.024). Support for continuance of a firefighter’s role was less likely if the partner reported they regularly had trouble falling asleep within 30 min (p < 0.001). There were no other significant relationships between the frequency of calls or other sleep quantity or quality variables and relationship happiness. This study provides important first insights into how firefighters’ on-call work arrangements impact partners’ sleep. Future research is needed across periods of high and low call demand, using objective measures of sleep to further define the impacts of on-call work on partners’ sleep.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of people

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1305
Author(s):  
Mehak Agarwal ◽  
Prithvi Ravi ◽  
Chitra A. Ramesh ◽  
Judson J. Neslin
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Relaxation Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
As Stress ◽  
The Impact

Background: We conducted this survey to determine the impact of covid-19 on the mental health of people during the pandemic and period of lockdown. We evaluated certain factors such as sleep changes, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, inability to concentrate, smoking and alcohol consumption changes.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. We conducted an online questionnaire and circulated it via various social media platforms to record and evaluate responses of people. SPSS 16 version software and Microsoft excel sheet were used.Results: According to the results, people suffered from negative symptoms such as stress, fear, changes in smoking habits, changes in alcohol consumption, mood swings, inability to concentrate, sleep disturbances. Most people also started new coping mechanisms to help their psychological symptoms.Conclusions: An association between mental health and the outbreak of a pandemic was noticed. People experiencing these should get help and practice relaxation methods to prevent progression of their symptoms.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Psychological Impact on Health Care Workers in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6076
Author(s):  
Hasan S. Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Little is known about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May till mid-July among 389 health care workers from government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire that measured adverse psychological outcomes, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of depression and anxiety among health care workers. Results: A high level of anxiety was recorded among the health care workers, and 69.3% of health care workers below the age of 40 were found to have depression. There was a significant increase in depression among staff with chronic health problems (72.1% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.048). High anxiety levels were detected among young staff compared to others (68.7% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001). Moreover, 82.1% of the female staff were anxious, as compared to 55.6% of the males (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found increased prevalence of adverse psychological outcomes among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for proper screening and development of corresponding preventive measures to decrease the adverse psychological outcomes.

scholarly journals Stress Perceived by University Health Sciences Students, 1 Year after COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5233
Author(s):  
Yolanda Marcén-Román ◽  
Angel Gasch-Gallen ◽  
Irene Isabel Vela Martín de la Mota ◽  
Estela Calatayud ◽  
Isabel Gómez-Soria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Health Sciences Students ◽  
The Impact

Today’s COVID-19 situation can affect university Health Sciences students’ psychological health. This study aimed to analyze the stress caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Health Sciences students from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) almost 1 year after the pandemic began. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 252 university students who completed a self-administered online questionnaire. It evaluated the impact of perceived stress with a modified scale (PSS-10-C), and assessed anxiety and depression on the Goldberg scale. Students presented stress (13.1%), anxiety (71.4%) and depression (81%). Females (81.7%) and the third-year Occupational Therapy students (p = 0.010) reported perceived stress. Nursing students perceived less stress (OR: 0.148; 95% CI: 0.026 to 0.842). University students developed stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 almost 1 year after the pandemic began. Psychological support measures for these groups should be prioritized.

scholarly journals Engagement with daily testing instead of self-isolating in contacts of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex F. Martin ◽  
Sarah Denford ◽  
Nicola Love ◽  
Derren Ready ◽  
Isabel Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Negative Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Close Contacts

Abstract Background In December 2020, Public Health England with NHS Test and Trace initiated a pilot study in which close contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 were given the option to carryout lateral flow device antigen tests at home, as an alternative to self-isolation for 10–14 days. In this study, we evaluated engagement with daily testing, and assessed levels of adherence to the rules relating to behaviour following positive or negative test results. Methods We conducted a service evaluation of the pilot study, examining survey responses from a subset of those who responded to an evaluation questionnaire. We used an online cross-sectional survey offered to adult contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases who consented to daily testing. We used a comparison group of contacts who were not offered testing and instead self-isolated. Results Acceptability of daily testing was lower among survey respondents who were not offered the option of testing and among people from ethnic minority groups. Overall, 52% of respondents reported being more likely to share details of people that they had been in contact with following a positive test result, if they knew that their contacts would be offered the option of daily testing. Only 2% reported that they would be less likely to provide details of their contacts. On the days that they were trying to self-isolate, 19% of participants reported that they left the house, with no significant group differences. Following a negative test, 13% of respondents reported that they increased their contacts, but most (58%) reported having fewer risky contacts. Conclusions Our data suggest that daily testing is potentially acceptable, may facilitate sharing contact details of close contacts among those who test positive for COVID-19, and promote adherence to self-isolation. A better understanding is needed of how to make this option more acceptable for all households. The impact of receiving a negative test on behaviour remains a risk that needs to be monitored and mitigated by appropriate messaging. Future research should examine attitudes and behaviour in a context where infection levels are lower, testing is more familiar, and restrictions on activity have been reduced.

Workplace hazards in forensic mortuaries in Saudi Arabia: A survey of forensic mortuary personnel

2021 ◽  
pp. 002580242110196
Author(s):  
Mohammed Madadin ◽  
Ibtisam M Alkhattaf ◽  
Fatima H Abutaki ◽  
Mohammed A Almarzooq ◽  
Fahad A Alzahrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Forensic Medicine ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Workplace Hazards ◽  
Hazard Exposure ◽  
Work Related

Forensic mortuaries have always presented a potential threat to workers who come into contact with dead bodies. This research aims to identify hazards faced by forensic mortuary personnel, including forensic pathologists and technicians working in forensic mortuaries in forensic medicine centres throughout Saudi Arabia, to recognise the prevalence of exposure to workplace hazards and to discover the degree of awareness and use of safety practices. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 20 forensic medicine centres, using an online questionnaire distributed among forensic mortuary personnel. A total of 113 participants responded to the questionnaire. Just over half (53%) of workplaces always provided personal protective equipment, and 75% of participants always used them. The most common hazards were needle-prick wounds and accidental slips or falls. Almost two thirds (64%) of participants witnessed or experienced a work-related accident in the forensic mortuary. The lack of previous studies concerning hazard exposure among forensic mortuary personnel in Saudi Arabia means that this study provides foundational evidence for future research concerning forensic autopsy-related work accidents in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Exploring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: an international cross-sectional study of medical learners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Brown ◽  
Aliya Kassam ◽  
Mike Paget ◽  
Kenneth Blades ◽  
Megan Mercia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Geographic Regions ◽  
The Impact

Background: The evidence surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on medical learners remains anecdotal and highly speculative despite the anticipated impact and potential consequences of the current pandemic on medical training. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that COVID-19 initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25–June 14, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Results: 6492 learners completed the survey from 140 countries. Most medical schools removed learners from the clinical environment and adopted online learning, but students reported concerns about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Residents reported they could be better utilized and expressed concerns about their career timeline. Trainees generally felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a learner. Significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses as well as the impact of COVID-19 learner wellness and state-trait anxiety. Conclusions: The disruption to the status quo of medical education is perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial empirical insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning.

Career Transitions and Trajectories for a Diverse Workforce

2017 ◽  
pp. 465-511
Author(s):  
Jenell L. S. Wittmer ◽  
Paul M. Werth ◽  
Cort W. Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Career Transitions ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Career Trajectories ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Early Developmental

Several aspects of diversity impact career transitions and trajectories. Whereas traditional conceptualizations of careers emphasize a clear path for the majority of people, modern careers are better characterized by a multitude and variety of potential mobility paths. Modern career trajectories have been linked to early developmental activities, which are similarly related to increased diversity and societal changes. This chapter discusses the impact of different forms of diversity on career transitions from lifespan and life course perspectives, as well from a dynamic perspective where one's career transitions are dictated by lesser-planned socio-contextual and personal circumstances. Special attention is given to contemporary research and unique issues related to women and older workers. Within this discussion is a review of work arrangements for adapting and capitalizing on the needs of this changing workforce. We conclude by outlining trends likely to influence career development in the future, including suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Newly qualified doctors’ perceived effects of assistantship alignment with first post: a longitudinal questionnaire study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e023992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie E Wells ◽  
Alison Bullock ◽  
Lynn V Monrouxe
Keyword(s):  
Questionnaire Study ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Preparedness For Practice ◽  
Experience Effects ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
The Impact

PurposeGrowing evidence supports the role of student assistantships in enhancing graduates’ preparedness for practice. However, there is limited evidence concerning the impact of aligning assistantships with graduates’ first doctor post. The aims of our study were to determine newly-qualified doctors’ views on the value their assistantship experience, effects on anxiety levels, confidence and preparedness for increased responsibilities, exploring change over time and whether effects differ according to assistantship alignment.DesignWe conducted a longitudinal cross-sectional online questionnaire study examining experiences of aligned and non-aligned assistantships across the transition from medical student to newly-qualified doctor. The questionnaire was distributed to final year medical students within Wales, UK (n=351) and those commencing their first post in Wales, UK (n=150) in June 2015 at Time 1 (T1), and repeated in September 2015 (1 month following transition, T2) and January 2016 (T3).ResultsResponse rates at T1 were 50% (n=251, aligned=139, non-aligned=112), T2 36% (n=179, aligned=83, non-aligned=96) and T3 28% (n=141, aligned=69, non-aligned=72): 15% (n=73, aligned=36, non-aligned=37) completed all questionnaires. Paired longitudinal analysis was undertaken where possible. Significant differences were observed between participants on aligned and non-aligned assistantships in terms of the value they place on their assistantship experiences, their anxiety, confidence levels and preparedness for responsibility.ConclusionAlthough not sustained, aligned assistantships seem to provide graduates with additional benefits during the August transition. Further work is required to establish what it is about the aligned assistantship programme that works and why.

Diversity and Equality Management System and Perceived Organisational Performance: A Mediating Role of Organisational Citizenship Behaviour

2020 ◽  
pp. 227853372096351
Author(s):  
Bignya Patnaik ◽  
Mahendra Kumar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Human Resource Managers ◽  
Organisational Performance ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
It Industry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
The Impact

A structured diversity and equality management system (DEMS) contributes to the smooth and peaceful functioning of organisations. The review of literature shows that the impact of DEMS on organisational performance and growth is found to be positive in Western countries. However, there appears to be a lack of research on the role of DEMS in Indian organisations, especially in the IT industry. This study makes an attempt to assess the impact of DEMS on perceived organisational performance and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and empirically validate the mediating role of OCB in Indian IT firms. This study used descriptive research design, and the nature of research questions mandated the primary cross-sectional data collection method. The online questionnaire was e-mailed to human resource managers as well as executives of IT firms in India. Responses of 220 respondents were analysed to test the hypotheses of the research using CB-SEM. The results confirm a mediating role of OCB on the linkage between DEMS and perceived organisational performance. Findings suggest that organisations should promote OCB as it contributes significantly in establishing a positive, committed and conflict-free work environment.

scholarly journals Pilot Educational Intervention to Promote Safe Pesticide Use Practices Among Farmworkers in Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 866-875
Author(s):  
Pramesh Koju ◽  
Prabin R Shakya ◽  
Archana Shrestha ◽  
Biraj M Karmacharya ◽  
Sudip Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Pesticide Exposure ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health And Environmental Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Hands And Feet ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives The misuse of pesticides among farmworkers in Nepal is commonplace. To address this, we implemented a pilot educational intervention (three modules delivered over 3 days and lasting approximately 3 h each) in Kavre District of Nepal. Modules included: (i) health and environmental effects of pesticides, (ii) use of personal protective equipment, and (iii) label literacy and behavioral factors that influence pesticide exposure. In addition, 10 posters with key messages from each of the modules were hung throughout communities. Methods Surveys were administered to cross-sectional convenience samples of farmworkers at baseline (n = 106) and 1 year later (n = 98). Practices relating to pesticides at baseline and endline were compared using multivariable logistic regression to adjust for differences in demographic and socioeconomic characteristics between the samples. Results Compared with the baseline sample, farmworkers in the endline sample were significantly more likely to report: getting information regarding the amount of pesticides to use from experts or pesticide labels (versus personal judgment); wearing gloves while mixing pesticides; wearing boots while working in the field; using personal hygiene practices after handling pesticides such as bathing or washing hands and feet; changing clothes after handling pesticides; checking the wind direction before spraying; and delaying entry for a longer period of time after spraying. Conclusions These results suggest that a simple educational intervention can improve pesticide handling practices among farmworkers in Nepal. Future research should explore the impact of such interventions on pesticide exposure levels and health outcomes, and the potential to scale up these programs nationally.

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