High life satisfaction reported among small-scale societies with low incomes.

Global polls have shown that people in high-income countries generally report being more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income countries. The persistence of this correlation, and its similarity to correlations between income and life satisfaction within countries, could lead to the impression that high levels of life satisfaction can only be achieved in wealthy societies. However, global polls have typically overlooked small-scale, nonindustrialized societies, which can provide an alternative test of the consistency of this relationship.

Self-administered questionnaire and direct observation by checklist: comparing two methods for physical exposure surveillance in a highly repetitive tasks plant.

Background: We evaluated the agreement between a questionnaire and an observational checklist for exposure assessment in the setting of an upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UWMSD) surveillance program in a population with a high level of physical exposures.

Methods: A surveillance program was implemented in a large shoe factory. Physical exposures were assessed in 1996 by a self-administered questionnaire and by the direct observation of work tasks assessed using a checklist filled out by trained assessors.

Predictive factors for incident musculoskeletal disorders in an in-plant surveillance program.

Objectives: A surveillance program for upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UWMSD) based on assessment of health and risk factors was implemented between 1996 and 2000 in a large shoe factory with overall high levels for biomechanical exposure. The study aimed to identify workers with an increased risk of UWMSD incidence.

Methods: In 1996, 1997 and 2000, 166 workers filled out a questionnaire and underwent a standardized physical examination.

Surveillance program of neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders: assessment over a 4 year period in a large company.

Objective: A company-wide surveillance program for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) based on the assessment of health and risk factors was implemented between 1996 and 2000 in a large shoe factory. The study aimed to compare the results of the surveillance program in 1996 and 1997 with the occurrence of MSDs in 2000.

Methods: A health and ergonomic assessment of workstations was performed for 253 workers in 1996.

Active epidemiological surveillance of musculoskeletal disorders in a shoe factory.

Aims: (1) To evaluate an active method of surveillance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). (2) To compare different criteria for deciding whether or not a work situation could be considered at high risk of MSDs in a large, modern shoe factory.

Methods: A total of 253 blue collar workers were interviewed and examined by the same physician in 1996; 191 of them were re-examined in 1997.