Variation of Driving Skill Among Elderly Drivers Compared to Young Drivers in Japan

This study analyzed driving skill among Japanese elderly drivers compared to young drivers and see which less skilled that might impact road accident risk in highway. Subjects included young and elderly drivers, consisting of 10 college students (20 – 24 years old) and 25 elderly drivers (14 men and 11 women) coming from The Silver Manpower Centre, an organization for elderly > 60 years. Elderly drivers were divided into two age groups, namely elderly 1 aged 60 – 65 years (10 persons) and elderly 2 aged > 65 years (15 persons). Driving performance was evaluated by using driving game simulator in laboratory. Analysis was conducted on consistency in the lane, lane-changing skill, traffic sign compliance, right-turning skill, braking and driving speed. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test. Generally, performance of elderly 2 was lower than the young almost in all parameters including consistency in the lane (p value 65 years old were likely to be wrong on seeing traffic signs due to visual limitation and long response of compliance

Effectiveness of Ergonomic Chair Against Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Batik Workers of Sragen District

The majority of female batik workers uses non-ergonomic chairs (dingklik) that pose risks of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to design an ergonomic chair and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing musculoskeletal disorders among the workers. This is a quasi-experimental study (using one group pre and post-test design) on 50 female batik workers selected by quota sampling. Musculoskeletal disorders were measured among the samples before and after the use of the designed ergonomic chair which they were asked to use for two months. T-test, ANCOVA, Wilcoxon test, McNemar test and Chi Square test were used for the analysis. The study found statistical significant differences of risk factor against musculoskeletal disorders among the workers before and after their use of the designed ergonomic chair (p=0.000); and of musculoskeletal disorders before and after using the ergonomic chair (p= 0,035). Body Mass Index (BMI) was identified as a confounding factor, and statistical significant difference of musculoskeletal disorders were also found among the workers with <25 and >25 BMI even before and after using the ergonomic chair (p=0.033 and p=0.015 respectively). By ANCOVA statistical test, after controlling BMI, another statistical difference of musculoskeletal disorders was also identified before and after using the ergonomic chair (p=0.033). It is concluded that the designed ergonomic chair is effective to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders

Pekerjaan, Nonpekerjaan, dan Psikologi Sosial sebagai Penyebab Kelelahan Operator Alat Berat di Industi Pertambangan Batu Bara

Kelelahan merupakan salah satu faktor penyebab kecelakaan transportasi, ditandai dengan menurunnya kinerja fisik dan mental yang mengakibatkan kurangnya kewaspadaan karena rasa kantuk. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor risiko dan faktor pendukung kelelahan pada operator alat berat. Penelitian dilakukan pada operator alat berat di 3 tambang batubara di Kalimantan (2 area di Kalimantan Timur dan 1 area di Kalimantan Selatan), melibatkan 353 operator alat berat yang bekerja dengan 3 sif. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa keluhan kelelahan semakin tinggi dengan meningkatnya usia, lama kerja, dan kerja pada sif 3 (malam hari). Kelelahan paling banyak dirasakan oleh operator dump truck (bagian hauling) yang dipengaruhi oleh faktor-faktor pekerjaan (postur saat bekerja, faktor variasi pekerjaan, beban kerja dan vigilance) dan faktor-faktor bukan pekerjaan (kondisi medan atau area tambang yang berisiko, penerangan yang kurang pada malam hari, dan rute yang selalu berubah). Faktor lainnya berkaitan dengan masalah sosial-psikologis, baik yang berhubungan dengan pekerjaan maupun lingkungan kerja, seperti waktu istirahat, standar gaji yang belum memadai, pengaturan jadwal cuti yang sering tidak jelas, dan masalah karier. Disimpulkan, secara umum kelelahan meningkat dengan bertambahnya usia dan lama kerja, dengan kelelahan yang lebih besar pada pekerja sif 3. Umumnya, penurunan waktu reaksi pekerja sif malam lebih besar daripada waktu reaksi pekerja sif siang.Fatigue is one of the causes of transportation accidents, characterized by reduced physical and mental performance resulting in reduced alertness due to drowsiness. The present study was to determine the risk factors and contributing factors of fatigue suffered by heavy equipment operators. The study was conducted at three coal mining sites in Kalimantan (2 areas in East Kalimantan and 1 area in South Kalimantan) involving 353 heavy equipment operators who work in shifts. It was found that fatigue complaint is higher by older age, longer work, and work at shift 3 (night time). The fatigue is mostly complained by dump truck (hauling part) operators which was influenced by work-related factors (work posture, job variety, workload, vigilance) and non-work related factors (terrain or mine risk area, lack of lighting at night, and route track which is always changed). Another factors related with socio-psychological factors, either related with job or working environment, such as adequacy of rest time, remuneration system, leave system, and insecure career. It is concluded that in general the fatigues were increased as the worker ages were older and longer duration of work, with higher fatigues were suffered at shift 3. Generally, reduced reaction time among shift 3 workers is higher than that those of daytime shift

The Positive and Negative Relationship Between the Source of the Problem and Self-esteem with the Occurrence of Mental Health Disorders Among Undergraduate Students: Structural Equation Modelling of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Introduction: University students with mental health problem has risen significantly over the past few years. The increasing number of freshmen students was detected to have a tendency for mental and emotional disorders. Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to find a model of factors that influence depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students. This model could identify factors that have positive and negative effects on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students. Methods: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study using an equal probability sampling method with stratified random sampling to get a proportional sample in each school and faculty in the subject university. Variables measured in this study include problem source, self-esteem, social support, coping, depression, anxiety, and stress. Analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Results: Self-esteem had a negative relationship with the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress (t-value -5.56 > 1.96), while problem source had a positive relationship with the occurrence of depression, anxiety, and stress (t-value 5.02 > 1.96). Conclusion: This study reflects that source of the problem factor has a positive influence on depression, anxiety, and stress while the self-esteem factor has a negative influence on depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate students. &nbsp

Screen TIME and Static Posture of Laptop Usage Among University Student and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The government has been obliged to adapt educational activities through online learning in anticipation of the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile the increase in the frequency and duration of laptop usage has implications for increased individual screen time. Therefore, this study aims to determine the description of screen time and the relationship between posture and the type of laptop usage. A total of 1085 people participated in the survey, including students, lecturers, and academic staff at the University of Indonesia. Data was collected through a questionnaire containing a list of questions related to the average laptop usage per day, which was divided into 4 categories, such as <1, 1-2, 2-3, and >3 hours. Another question is the purpose of using a laptop, which was divided into 11 types of activities and body postures. The results showed significant correlation in all observed body postures, sitting with a table was significantly correlated with 7 types of activity, sitting without a table with 6 types of activity, sitting on the floor with a table with 4 types of activity, sitting on the floor without a table with 3 types of activity, standing with 4 types of activities and lying down with 3 types of activities.&nbsp

Risk Factors of Sociodemographic and Work Environment That Related to Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among SME Workers in Vietnam

According the limited resources and capacity, SMEs are more prine to occupational hazards and risk. This research aimed to determine the socio-demographic and work environment risk factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms among SME workers in Vietnam, especially in the food processing and garment industries. The respondents were 530 SME workers 281 from the garment industry; 249 from the food processing industry). The instruments used were a self-devised questionnaires including lifestyle and work environment factors. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) used to see the musculo-skeletal symptoms. The results showed  45.1% of respondents had chronic MSDs, and 40.2% had experienced acute MSDs. The socio-demographic factors, such as work status, shifts and trip duration to the workplace, significantly influenced the chronic and acute musculo-skeletal symptoms. The symptoms were also induced by work environment factors, especially noise, lighting, heat and humidity, handling loads more than 20 kg, mostly sitting on the floor or mostly standing while working and slippery floors in the workplace. It is crucial to improve the work environment and comply with the standard even SME industries, as well. Moreover, the work posture and load for manual handling need a correction to reduce musculo-skeletal symptoms