Associations between daily-on-the job hassles with perceived mental exertion and depression symptoms in taxi drivers.

Introduction: Taxi drivers experience frequent hassles that may contribute to mental exertion and depression symptoms.

Aim: Mental exertion and depression symptoms in taxi drivers are explored in association with hassles, effort-reward imbalance, job strain, and iso-strain.

Methods: Personal interviews were conducted with 130 drivers in San Francisco.

Nursing Case Management Strategies for Adults with Serious Mental Illness Seeking Dental Services.

A university-community partnership initiated a dental screening and nursing case management program for Medicaid-insured adults with serious mental illness (SMI). Forty-three adults with SMI participated in dental screening; 72% participated in case management. Per client, an average of six case management contacts was made.

Psychosocial work factors and low back pain in taxi drivers.

Introduction: Taxi drivers are at high risk for low back pain (LBP).

Aim: Identify the association between psychosocial-work factors (Job strain, Iso-strain, effort-reward imbalance [ERI], unfairness, and mental exertion) and LBP in taxi drivers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with 129 taxi drivers.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Taxi Drivers.

In the United States (U.S.), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major leading cause of death.

Work-Related Health Complaints and Injuries, and Health and Safety Perceptions of Latino Day Laborers.

This study describes socio-demographic, health, and work factors as well as health and safety perceptions of day laborers who reported work-related health complaints and injuries. The researchers completed a secondary data analysis of 217 interviews conducted in 2009 with day laborers in a large city. The participants reported 83 health complaints or injuries (38%) that had occurred during the prior 12 months, with 57 of these complaints or injuries resulting in lost work time.

Work-related violence experienced by urban taxi drivers.

Objectives: This study measured violence (physical assault, robbery, or weapon confrontation) in taxi drivers, and determined socio-demographic/work factors associated with violence.

Methods: In 2010, 130 taxi drivers, working in a large city in the Western US, were administered a survey evaluating workplace violence events.

Results: The study population was male (94%), mean age 45, married (54%), foreign-born (55%), with 24% speaking Arabic at home.

Occupational health nurses’ achievement of competence and comfort in respiratory protection and preferred learning methods results of a nationwide survey.

Additional findings are presented from a 2012 nationwide survey of 2,072 occupational health nurses regarding how they achieved competence in respiratory protection, their preferred methods of learning, and how they motivated employees to use respiratory protection. On-the-job training, taking a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health spirometry course, or attending professional conferences were the primary ways occupational health nurses gained respiratory protection knowledge. Attending professional conferences was the preferred method of learning, varying by type of industry and years of occupational health nurse experience.

Snapshot of the AAOHN Membership-Health Risk Appraisal Priority Areas.

A 2012 American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) web-based membership survey of 5,138 members was designed to identify occupational health and safety issues facing members. A total of 2,123 members responded to the survey (41% response rate).

Perceived competence and comfort in respiratory protection: results of a nationwide survey of occupational health nurses.

In response to the Institute of Medicine (2011) report Occupational Health Nurses and Respiratory Protection: Improving Education and Training, a nationwide survey was conducted in May 2012 to assess occupational health nurses' educational preparation, roles, responsibilities, and training needs in respiratory protection. More than 2,000 occupational health nurses responded; 83% perceived themselves as competent, proficient, or expert in respiratory protection, reporting moderate comfort with 12 respiratory program elements. If occupational health nurses had primary responsibility for the respiratory protection program, they were more likely to perceive higher competence and more comfort in respiratory protection, after controlling for occupational health nursing experience, highest education, occupational health nursing certification, industry sector, Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare membership, taking a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health spirometry course in the prior 5 years, and perceiving a positive safety culture at work.

Snapshot of the AAOHN membership.

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) conducted a web-based membership survey of 2123 members (41% response rate) in May and June 2012. This column presents educational, certification, and selected industry data for registered nurse and advanced practice nurse AAOHN members.

Development of a respiratory protection survey instrument for occupational health nurses: an educational project.

The Institute of Medicine (2011) report Occupational Health Nurses and Respiratory Protection: Improving Education and Training outlined seven recommendations to improve the competency of occupational health nurses in respiratory protection. An advisory group was convened in December 2011, with stakeholder representation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., American Board for Occupational Health Nurses, Inc.

Health and safety strategies of urban taxi drivers.

This study describes health and safety concerns and self-care strategies of San Francisco taxi drivers. Focus groups and a written cross-sectional survey were done in a convenience sample of taxi drivers working in San Francisco. Sessions were audiotaped, transcribed in English, and independently coded to identify major health and safety themes, using thematic content analysis.

Sociodemographic characteristics, health, and success at obtaining work among Latino urban day laborers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the health and social circumstances, knowledge of and access to health and social services, and success at getting work among urban day laborers.

Methods: We conducted an interview survey of 217 men waiting for work at several sites in San Francisco.

Results: Day laborers were generally unsuccessful at obtaining work and had less than optimal housing, but supported a number of family members.

The occupational health nurse as the trusted clinician in the 21st century.

Occupational health nurses as trusted clinicians use their direct care skills in both on-site and off-site roles to protect human resources and contain health care costs. On-site clinics leverage the knowledge, skills, and abilities of occupational health nurses. To maximize the health of the work force, occupational health nurses use strategies aimed at improving health, engaging employees, enhancing accountability of employees, linking provider strategies, using technology creatively, and promoting healthy work environments.

The future of nursing--opportunities for occupational health nursing.

In this article, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report is summarized, and opportunities for occupational health nursing are proposed.

Psychosocial work factors and shoulder pain in hotel room cleaners.

Background: Hotel room cleaners have physically demanding jobs that place them at high risk for shoulder pain. Psychosocial work factors may also play a role in shoulder pain, but their independent role has not been studied in this group.

Methods: Seventy-four percent (941 of 1,276) of hotel room cleaners from five Las Vegas hotels completed a 29-page survey assessing health status, working conditions, and psychosocial work factors.

Musician health and safety: Preventing playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Musicians are exposed to high-risk musculoskeletal activities such as repetition, hours of exposure, and awkward postures when playing instruments. These activities may result in playing-related musculoskeletal disorders. Musicians often work part-time or seasonally or are self-employed.

Garment workers in California: health outcomes of the Asian Immigrant Women Workers Clinic.

In this cross sectional descriptive study, the demographics, risk factors, and health outcomes of a volunteer, symptomatic sample of monolingual Cantonese garment workers in the Oakland, California Chinatown area are documented. Methods included a questionnaire and clinical examination and treatment at the Asian Immigrant Women Workers Clinic, a free clinic providing culturally focused occupational health consultation and treatment for painful musculoskeletal disorders. Because garment work involves highly repetitious, sustained awkward postures, focused education on stretching and ergonomics also was provided.

Education of garment workers: prevention of work related musculoskeletal disorders.

This educational intervention was designed as part of a garment worker occupational health and safety initiative, with the goal to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in this monolingual Cantonese speaking population. Using risk communication and the Chinese concepts of yin and yang, the class curriculum was designed to be participatory. It focused on linking symptoms to high risk work activities; explaining the nature of musculoskeletal injury; and encouraging compliance with self care measures of ice, stretching, and early symptom reporting.