Professional firefighters face various health hazards and are required to maintain both physical and mental fitness to effectively mitigate crises and respond to emergencies. Moreover, the long ...working hours and shift work of this profession impact sleep quality. This study investigated the quality of sleep and its associated factors among firefighters in Bangkok, Thailand.
This was a cross-sectional study of firefighters affiliated with the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand between January 2023 and March 2023. A cluster random sampling technique was utilized to distribute 600 questionnaires to firefighters in 15 fire stations. The questionnaire addressed demographic, work-related, and environmental factors. Sleep quality was assessed using the Thai version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed.
The response rate was 78.7% (n=472), and 44.1% of the firefighters reported poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). Sleep quality was statistically associated with conflicting family relationships (odds ratio OR, 1.8; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.1 to 2.9), additional part-time jobs (daytime, OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4; or nighttime, OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 16.7), noisy sleeping areas (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8), and the availability of adequate bedding (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 4.9).
Poor sleep quality among firefighters was associated with various personal, work-related, and environmental factors. Organizations should promote policies that improve sleep quality through good sleep hygiene practices and facilities.
For two decades, the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University has firstly served the Occupational Medicine Residency training program in Thailand. ...Occupational physicians have dedicated their potentials to occupational medicine works in terms of health promotion in the workplaces, prevention, and occupational medical services towards Thai working population.At present, there are 159 Thai board-certified occupational physicians. Thai occupational physicians are presently working nationwide in both public and private healthcare practice. A number of certified occupational physicians have currently occupied various top national health leading positions. Furthermore, the occupational medicine knowledge is currently essential for Thai undergraduate medical students mentioned in the Thai Medical Council’s Medical Competency Assessment Criteria.Being awarded the postgraduate diploma of occupational medicine in Thailand can be divided into 2 categories: by attending three-year residency training or by five-year working experience in the field of occupational medicine including an elective two-month short course. Occupational medicine is a prevailingly attractive specialty-training program among Thai physicians.As a country which occupational medicine training program is in its childhood period, lessons learned from prior occupational medicine developed countries, updating contents and employers’ demand is the key to success. In Thailand, occupational physician supply is still less than the increasing demand. Additionally, the study among the majority of Thai working populations in the informal sector, particularly in agriculture, and the advancement of current health research schemes would strengthen the training. These are future challenges influencing the progression of occupational medicine training in Thailand.
ObjectiveThe work ability index (WAI) is a common occupational health tool, which has been widely used for indicating individuals' work ability. However, few studies have been conducted concerning ...millennial workers. The aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting work ability index in millennial workers who were born in between 1980 and 1995.MethodsThe validated Thai version WAI questionnaires were sent to workers at the petrochemical company consists of sections in 21 provinces across all regions in Thailand in February 2016. There are various types of occupations in the company.ResultsThis cross-sectional study included 1,167 of millennial workers which 684 (58.6%) were men. The mean WAI score was 39.7 (SD = 4.0) in a range of aged 20 to 35. More than half of the subjects were good work ability. The regression technique showed significant association between work ability index and work-life balance. Additionally, demographical characteristics and various factors, which include sex, job tenure, sleep status, work types, and job satisfactions are related to work ability.ConclusionAs various factors, particularly work-life balance, play an important role in work ability. This study suggests related factors, which should be considered for promoting work ability among millennial workers.
ObjectiveIn the recent decade, millennial generations have been apparently increasing in many workplaces. In addition, Work-life balance is globally considered by the millennial. Work-life balance ...definitely involves in both working conditions and individual's health and wellbeing. This study aimed to illustrate the work-life balance of millennial employees by a work-life balance tool and showed its related characteristics.MethodsValidated self-administered 10-question work-life checklists were distributed to the employees who were born during 1980 to 1995 (aged 20 to 35) and worked at the petrochemical company, which workplaces were located in across all regions in Thailand in February 2016. This organisational survey included 1,951 millennial employees. Collected data was explored the link between the result of work-life balance measure and associated demographic factors, psychosocial and health issues, and working conditions.ResultsRespondents were approximately 60 percent (n = 1,167). The mean of work-life balance checklist percentage was 61 (SD = 0.4). The result indicated the 15th and 85th percentile were 43.3 and 80, respectively. Furthermore, the ordinal logistic regression shows the association between work-life balance and sex, frequency of exercise activity, sleep status, work conditions and satisfactions; leisure and cooperation.ConclusionAccording to the result, the classification of work-life balance by a work-life balance checklist for millennial workers are indicated categories poor at above 80 percent, moderate at between 44.3 and 80 percent, and good at below 44.3 percent. This study also suggests that associated characteristics, health and psychosocial factors, work conditions should be recognised for enhancing work-life balance among the millennial workers.
Abstract Background: Chronic respiratory diseases are becoming a more prominent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Street sweepers are commonly found in low- and middle-income countries. ...This job involves outdoor work that exposes workers to various health hazards and air pollution, particularly affecting respiratory health. There is still limited research focusing specifically on street sweepers. The study aims to examine the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and the associated factors in street sweepers in Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional survey between February and April 2023. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, stratifying the sample according to district locations within Bangkok, Thailand. Data were collected through a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, occupational and environmental factors, and respiratory symptoms using a modified version of the Medical Research Council questionnaire. Data analysis included bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 98.0% (n = 341). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among street sweepers in Bangkok, Thailand, with at least one respiratory symptom was reported by 33.7% of the participants, specifically cough (22%), phlegm (20.2%), dyspnea (17.6%), and wheeze (7.0%). The average age of the sample group was 43.2 years, with a majority being female (85.9%). Among the participants, 88.3% were non-smokers, while 37.2% reported exposure to secondhand smoke. All participants reported the use of respiratory protective equipment, with face masks used at 78.9%. 7.3% of the participants lived near sources of pollution, and 12.0% were involved in household pollution activities. An average annual air quality index in the workplace area was categorized as ‘good’ at 57.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations of chronic respiratory symptoms with the following factors: exposure to secondhand smoke odds ratio (OR) =2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–4.2 and household activities (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–6.6). Conclusion: Exposure to secondhand smoke and indoor air pollutants in household environments are significant factors associated with the symptoms. Raising awareness about secondhand smoke hazards in household and environmental settings and promoting self-care practices related to various activities with potential exposure to indoor air pollution is crucial.
Objectives: Professional firefighters face various health hazards and are required to maintain both physical and mental fitness to effectively mitigate crises and respond to emergencies. Moreover, ...the long working hours and shift work of this profession impact sleep quality. This study investigated the quality of sleep and its associated factors among firefighters in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of firefighters affiliated with the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand between January 2023 and March 2023. A cluster random sampling technique was utilized to distribute 600 questionnaires to firefighters in 15 fire stations. The questionnaire addressed demographic, work-related, and environmental factors. Sleep quality was assessed using the Thai version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed. Results: The response rate was 78.7% (n=472), and 44.1% of the firefighters reported poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). Sleep quality was statistically associated with conflicting family relationships (odds ratio OR, 1.8; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.1 to 2.9), additional part-time jobs (daytime, OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4; or nighttime, OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 16.7), noisy sleeping areas (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8), and the availability of adequate bedding (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 4.9). Conclusions: Poor sleep quality among firefighters was associated with various personal, work-related, and environmental factors. Organizations should promote policies that improve sleep quality through good sleep hygiene practices and facilities.
In this article, early career members and experienced members of the Epidemiology and Environment Assembly of the European Respiratory Society highlight and summarise a selection of six sessions from ...the Society's annual congress, which in 2018 was held in Paris, France. The topics covered in these sessions span from cutting-edge molecular epidemiology of lung function to clinical, occupational and environmental epidemiology of respiratory disease, and from emergent tobacco products to tobacco control.
To assess the association of lung function and respiratory symptoms with farming, particularly pesticide use, in an agricultural province in Thailand.
We undertook a cross-sectional survey of adults ...aged 40-65 in Nan province, Thailand, between May and August 2019. We randomly recruited 345 villagers and enriched the sample with 82 government employees. All participants performed post-bronchodilator spirometry and completed a questionnaire covering information on respiratory symptoms, farming activities, pesticide use and known risk factors for respiratory disease. Associations of respiratory outcomes with farming and pesticide exposures were examined by multivariable regression analysis.
The response rate was 94%. The prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction among villagers was 5.5%. Villagers had, on average, a lower percent predicted post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV
/FVC) than government employees (98.3% vs 100.3%; p=0.04). There was no evidence of association of lung function with farming activities, the use of specific herbicides (glyphosate and paraquat), insecticides (organophosphates and pyrethroids) or fungicides. The exceptions were poultry farming, associated with chronic cough and an increase of FEV
/FVC, and atrazine, for which duration (p-trend <0.01), intensity (p-trend <0.01) and cumulative hours (p-trend=0.01) of use were all associated with higher FEV
/FVC in an exposure-response manner. Cumulative hours (-280 mL/hour), low duration (-270 mL/year) and intensity (-270 mL/hour/year) of atrazine use were associated with lower FVC.
Chronic airflow obstruction is uncommon among villagers of an agricultural province in Nan, Thailand. Farming and pesticide use are unlikely to be major causes of respiratory problems there.
A decrease in physical fitness with age can impact work ability. Exploring the role of physical fitness is important for identifying interventions to enhance work ability among aging workers. We ...sought to determine the association between physical fitness and physically demanding work ability in aging workers.
We recruited workers aged 45–65 years from eight departments of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Work ability was assessed using the work ability index (WAI), and physical fitness components were evaluated through various tests. Associations between work ability and physical fitness were examined using a multivariable regression analysis.
The response rate was 46.4% (n = 216). The mean WAI score was 41.6. Participants with an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) had 1.8 (95% CI –3.1, –0.4) points lower WAI scores than did those within a healthy BMI range. A handgrip strength test revealed that participants in the good/very good group had 2.5 (95% CI: 0.6, 4.3) higher WAI scores than did those in the very poor/poor group. For a single-leg stance test, participants in the above-average group had 2.1 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.5) points greater WAI scores than did those in the below-average group. No significant associations were found between work ability and 3-min step, chair stand, or sit-and-reach test scores.
The overall work ability of the participants was good. Body composition, muscle strength, and balance were associated with work ability. Promoting physical fitness is a viable strategy for enhancing work ability among aging workers.
For 2 decades, the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, has served the Occupational Medicine Residency training program in Thailand. Graduates ...of this program undertake to work in occupational medicine to promote health and prevent morbidity and mortality in the workplace and provide occupational medical services for the working population in Thailand. Qualifying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine in Thailand can be achieved in 2 ways: through a 3-year residency training or 5 years of working experience in the field of occupational medicine combined with an elective 2-month short course. There are currently 159 Thai board-certified occupational medicine physicians. Occupational medicine physicians in Thailand work in both public and private healthcare facilities. A number of certified occupational physicians occupy leading national health positions in various government and academic organizations. Knowledge of occupational medicine is currently essential for undergraduate medical students as specified in the medical competency assessment criteria of the Thai Medical Council. Updating content and incorporating needs of employers are keys to success for Thailand, as a country with an occupational medicine training program in its initial stages. In Thailand, the supply of occupational medicine physicians is still less than the increasing demand. Advancement of health research schemes would contribute to the curriculum. Occupational medicine development in Thailand needs to address challenges in local issues including work in the informal sector, particularly in agriculture, and incorporate standardization and international consistency into the training curriculum and qualifying management.
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