Review of the occupational health and safety of Britain’s ethnic minorities

This report sets out an evidence-based review on work-related health and safety issues relating to black and minority ethnic groups. Data included available statistical materials and a systematic review of published research and practice-based reports. UK South Asians are generally under-represented within the most hazardous occupational groups. They have lower accident rates overall, while Black Caribbean workers rates are similar to the general population; Bangladeshi and Chinese workers report lowest workplace injury rates UK South Asian people exhibit higher levels of limiting long-term illness (LLI) and self reported poor health than the general population while Black Africans and Chinese report lower levels. Ethnic minority workers with LLI are more likely than whites to withdraw from the workforce, or to experience lower wage rates. Some of these findings conflict with evidence of differentials from USA, Europe and Australasia, but there is a dearth of effective primary research or reliable monitoring data from UK sources. There remains a need to improve monitoring and data collection relating to black and ethnic minority populations and migrant workers. Suggestions are made relating to workshops on occupational health promotion programmes for ethnic minorities, and ethnic minority health and safety 'Beacon' sites

Profiling Employees Participation in Employer Sponsored Fitness Programs in Maine

Comprehensive health promotion and disease management programs have evolved significantly over the last two decades in both large and small work sites. Research over this time period has yielded plenty of evidence proving health promotion programs can produce tangible outcomes. Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that comprehensive work site health promotion programs can lower employee health care and insurance costs, decrease absenteeism, and improve job performance and productivity. Despite the well-known benefits of regular exercise, previous research has also shown that participation and adherence rates in work site health promotion programs have been unsatisfactory. This study was conducted to profile employee participation in work site fitness programs across the state of Maine involving both government (n=6) and private (n=7) organizations. Out of a possible 5193 employees surveyed, 1467 (28 percent) answered a questionnaire regarding their activity level at work (70.5 percent sitting, 17.1 percent walking, 12.4 percent heavy labor), their frequency of exercise (61 percent three or more days/week) and their duration of exercise (80.8 percent more than 20 minutes/session). Only 8.9 percent reported that their employers provided no form of financial support for a personal fitness program. When the responses were divided into two groups (government and private), a Chi Square test found a significant difference (pc.05) in the job site activity level and the amount of fincial support provided to employees for pursuing an exercise regime. A Chi Square test was also performed to compare the level of physical activity while on the job (sitting, walking, heavy labor), to the employees\u27 frequency, duration and history of personal exercise, as well as to the level of financial support for personal fitness provided by the employers. Significant differences p\u3c.05) were found in all of these comparisons. In summary, the results of this study show an unusually high percentage of workers that exercise a minimum of three days a week for at least 20 minutes each session. These results were significantly different from Chi Square predicted values. Possible explanations for this difference include the low number of surveys returned (28 percent), and/or the rural environment in the State of Maine provides greater opportunities for personal exercise in the form of outdoor recreation than those found in an urban setting

Factors affecting sickness absence from work

The Whitehall studjes include a series of papers by Stansfeld et al (1995, I997a, 1997b) that examine factors predicting sickness absence from work. These include psychological and physical well-being, social support and chronic stressors, including work-related stress.Psychological ill-health is particularly important in terms of sickness absence. It is thought to account for one third of sickness absence (Jenkins, 1985), often results in repeated absences (Taylor, 1968; Ferguson, 1972) and contributes to long spells of certified absence (Stansfeld et al, I 995). Somatisation of emotional distress highlights the fact that psychological ill-health may be an important contributory factor in absenteeism, even where this is c ited as due to physical symptoms.This study aimed to examine factors affecting sickness absence in one industrial workplace. There were 910 employees within the factory at the time of the study. Absence data was collected over a ten-month period for 8 I 0 of these workers. Approximately 200 workers had indices of physical fitness assessed as part of a health screening initiative and 166 employees completed questionnaires evaluating quality of life, attitudes towards work and psychological well-being. Interrelationships amongst these factors are examined. The relationship of these factors to sickness absence is also explored, as is the relationship between sickness absence and other demographic variables, such as gender and grade of employment. Results are discussed with reference to previous research findings

Public Health Rep

6767262PMCnul

Prevalence of prehypertension and its associated factors among smokers attending Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Kota Bharu

Introduction : Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of premature death in our country. Among the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are prehypertension and smoking. Up to date there was no study looking for associated factors for prehypertension among smokers. Objective : To determine the prevalence of prehypertension and its associated factors among smokers attending Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Kota Bharu. Methodology : A cross sectional study involving a total of 333 current smokers aged more than 18 years at Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Kota Bharu from January to April 2017 by using convenient sampling. Respondents answered a questionnaire consists of sociodemographic back ground, IPAQ-M, MyNCDs – dietary assessment and FTND-M and followed with physical measurements for BP,weight, height and waist circumference. Data was analysed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression. Result : The mean (SD) age of respondents was 32.6 (10.3) and 57.7% (192) of current smokers have prehypertension. Through multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression test, this study showed age ( adjusted OR=1.03,95% CI 1.00, 1.05,p=0.020), BMI ( adjusted OR=1.1195% CI 1.03,1.20,p=0.006), family history of hypertension (adjusted OR=1,78,95% CI 1.04,2.71,p=0.034), unhealthy diet (adjusted OR= 4.48,95% CI 1.88,10.63,p=0.001) and central obesity (adjusted OR=2.68,95% CI 1.22,5.89,p=0.014) were the associated factors for prehypertension.Conclusion : Prehypertension is common among current smokers and associated with many factors. Lifestyle modifications need to be given to reduce the incidence of prehypertension and prevent from progressing to hypertension and cardiovascular disease