WORK: A Journal of Prevention,Assessment & Rehabilitation

Health professionals are at increased breast cancer(BC) risk. Occupational factors are likely contributory, especially nightwork. Return to work for women with BC has received much attention. However, systematic review of return-to-work among health professionals with BC is lacking.

To perform systematized review of the return-to-work literature on health professionals with BC.

PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines were followed, searching PUBMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web-of-Science.

From 2242 publications, 33 primarily qualitative studies addressed return-to-work among health professionals with BC. Fourteen return-to-work studies included some health professionals with BC. Ten studies addressed return-to-work among health professionals with cancer; 264 of whom had BC. Of nine case-studies/self-reports of health professionals with BC, seven worked within oncology. Occasionally-mentioned baseline working conditions included long workhours, nightshifts and busy schedules/multi-tasking. Particular concerns regarding chemotherapy for health professionals were infection risk, fatigue, cognitive function and appearance, the latter often impacting BC disclosure to patients. Emotional burdens when confronting patients’ health problems while afflicted with BC were highlighted. Occasionally-implemented modifications with return-to-work were shortened workhours, nightwork elimination, modified duties or job change. Salutogenic developments with return-to-work included emotional rewards: feeling needed and enhanced sensitivity/empathy for patients with cancer. Issues surrounding the initial BC diagnosis were very delicate for health professionals. Three oncology nurses with BC were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Much more attention should be directed to the occupational needs as well as potential contributions of health professionals with BC. Participatory action research should guide intervention studies aimed at identifying the healthiest RTW options for this special cohort.

Agriculture serves as the primary livelihood in rural Northeast India where the challenging hilly terrain necessitates manual effort and labor-intensive farming practices which results in fatigue and musculoskeletal problems among the farmers.

This study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal disorders and their associated risk factors in labor-intensive farm activities in northeast India.

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 120 adult farmers (53 females and 67 males) aged 18 and above in Meghalaya and Manipur of northeast India. Demographic data were gathered through a structured schedule interviews and direct observation during 2021–22. The study employed the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire to measure musculoskeletal disorders and the Rapid Entire Body Assessment tool to evaluate posture and exertion in a subset of farmers (18 males, 12 females).

Results indicated that 74% of workers in northeast India experienced musculoskeletal disorders, with the lower back (72.50%) being the most affected body part followed by neck (43.33%) and shoulder (40.83%). Chi-square (χ²) analysis revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between the occurrence of overall musculoskeletal disorders and factors (education, age, and work experience). Further, multivariate logistic regression indicated that higher education level decreased the likelihood of overall musculoskeletal disorders and lower back issue. Remarkably, 35% of farmers were classified as high-risk (scoring 8–10) and 70% were classified as very high-risk (score ≥11).

The findings emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions and the introduction of mechanized tools to reduce -physical strain, thereby improving health outcomes and productivity among farmers in Northeast India.

Occupational health inspections are an important component of health and safety management systems.

The aim of this study was to develop a new index for occupational health inspections.

A total of 40 ooccupational health inspectors took part in this study as a team of experts. Effective criteria and their sub-criteria in occupational health inspections were identified using the Delphi method and their weighting was determined by pairwise comparison using the AHP method to create a new inspection index. Finally, the inspections carried out by the inspectors were evaluated using the inspection index developed using the TOPSIS method.

For the first time, an occupational health inspection index with 10 criteria and 58 sub-criteria was developed in Iran. The type of work, the follow-up of inspections and their risk level were the most effective criteria for the inspection index with the weight of 0.119638, 0.115365 and 0.102246, respectively.

In this study, a new index for evaluating the occupational health inspections was developed, which can contribute to the development of an appropriate framework in the occupational health inspection process. Further research is needed to examine the applicability of this index.

Prior studies concentrated the application of regulatory focus on employees’ positive actions and behaviors. No such validating regulatory focus scales limit its future research opportunities.

The paper validates the regulatory focus scale initially created by Wallace and Chen (2006) within the context of Malaysia.

Initially, a review of the literature was carried out to identify the core components of regulatory focus and the relevant items. Subsequently, these items were evaluated by expert panel. A systematic sampling approach was applied, yielding 344 responses from the Malaysian healthcare workers. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed as regulatory focus was operationalized as second-order formative construct because it formed by the prevention- and promotion- focused which considered as first-order reflective constructs. After that, the regulatory focus scale was assessed for convergent validity and discriminant validity.

The results revealed that two dimensions namely promotion- and prevention-focused are well-suited for assessing regulatory focus. Regulatory focus is defined by these two dimensions. If any of these elements are omitted, the nature of regulatory focus could be changed.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by validating regulatory focus scale as scale validation studies are scarcely found.

Spanish companies with ≥50 employees must have ≥2% of their workforce with a recognised disability.

The aim of this study was to describe new employees with a recognised disability and compare them to official data and the rest of the workforce.

A transversal study was carried out. 149 new employees with recognised disabilities joined a Spanish bank last year, out of 33,190 employees in Spain. Statistical analysis considered variables such as gender, age, workplace location, disability percentage, type of disability, and the need for workplace ergonomic adaptations. Data comparison of the collected data used Pearson's Chi-square test and logistic regression.

79% shown mild disabilities, 71% were physical disabilities and 21% were sensory disabilities. 88% didn’t require ergonomic workplace adaptations. Significant differences were found compared to the state's working-age disability statistics: females, under 35 years, locations outside Madrid, physical disabilities, and mild disabilities (p < 0.001). Differences compared to the total workforce included females and those under 44 years (p < 0.001), and locations outside Madrid (p < 0.01).

Only 12% of new employees with recognised disabilities needed workplace adaptations. The process to integrate workers with disabilities is complex but it is doable. Jobs with few physical requirements are favourable for employees with recognized disabilities. It is easier in young employees, women, workers from outside Madrid, with mild disabilities and physical disabilities.

Work—family conflict is a significant challenge for nurses, as it affects both their personal and professional lives. A comprehensive understanding of the current situation and underlying determinants is essential to promote effective work—life balance.

The present study investigated work—family conflict and related factors among clinical nurses in Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 nurses from hospitals in Kashan, Iran, in 2023 via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using the Background Questionnaire, the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire. Work—family conflict was rated on a scale of 9 to 45, with a 95% confidence level estimated for the target population. Data analysis was performed via SPSS version 22, employing independent t tests, Mann—Whitney U tests, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal—Wallis tests, correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression.

The work-family conflict score was 31.598 ± 6.831 (CLM95%: 30.928–32.268). A significant model explained 33.2% of the variance in work—family conflict identified by nine variables: use of coping strategies, willingness to leave the job, workload on the ward, being a native, satisfaction with performance of managers, satisfaction with physical health, job title, employment status, and type of work shift (F = 11.035, p < 0.0001). The variable with the greatest influence was “satisfaction with the performance of managers” (R2 = 0.087).

Work–family conflict is high among nurses in Kashan hospitals. To alleviate this conflict, it is important to improve communication, reduce workload, and provide training on effective coping strategies.

Waist and back pain are common among healthcare professionals in labor and delivery units due to physical demands and psychological workload. Massage may alleviate symptoms; however, manual massage often lacks feasibility. Automated massage devices may offer an alternative, but evidence among healthcare professionals is limited.

This study aimed to examine within-group changes in pain, perceived stress, state anxiety, fatigue, and psychological well-being among healthcare professionals following an automated massage application.

This single-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted with 35 healthcare professionals working in the delivery room of a state hospital. Participants used an automated massage device applied to the waist and back regions during routine break periods for two weeks. Data were collected using the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, the Perceived Stress Scale, the State Anxiety subscale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Piper Fatigue Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. Pretest–posttest comparisons were performed using paired-samples t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, as appropriate.

Statistically significant within-group reductions were observed in pain, perceived stress, state anxiety, and fatigue scores following the intervention (p < .001). Psychological well-being scores showed a statistically significant increase after the intervention period (p < .001).

In this single-group study, automated massage use was associated with favorable short-term changes in pain, stress, anxiety, fatigue, and psychological well-being among healthcare professionals working in a labor and delivery setting. Further controlled studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these results.

There are knowledge gaps regarding safety measures among healthcare professionals (HPs) in Ethiopia. Safety measures are critical for safeguarding HPs and clients.

To assess the pooled knowledge and areas of gaps related to safety measures among HPs in Ethiopia.

This systematic review and meta-analysis included published Ethiopian studies as of August 2024, sourced from June 1 to August 30, 2024. Databases included PubMed, Web of Science, Epistemonikos, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using STATA 17. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled knowledge, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic (I² = 98.68%, p < 0.001). Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger's test (P = 0.3239), and Begg's test (P = 0.2465). We used subgroup analyses to see variation across different variables.

We included 64 studies involving 23,257 HPs. The pooled knowledge was 67.19% (95% CI: 63%–72.81%). In subgroup analysis, 77.39% were aware of COVID-19 prevention measures, and 76.55% were aware of hospital-acquired infections. Knowledge was lower for HIV prophylaxis (57.12%) and healthcare waste management (56.52%). Key consistent influencing factors included training, guideline availability, work experience, professional role, and education.

Ethiopian HPs had moderate knowledge of safety measures and relatively low knowledge of HIV prophylaxis and healthcare waste management. We recommended standardized assessment tools, targeted training interventions, and expanded coverage to underrepresented regions.

Psychosocial risk factors affecting the welfare of workers are present to varying degrees in all workplaces. In the context of universities, these risk factors negatively impact good teaching practices and, therefore, the learning process in classrooms, ultimately affecting student performance. Moreover, these risk factors could generate stress, anxiety, and absenteeism among teachers.

The primary objective of this article is to examine the influence of psychosocial risk factors, including communication at work, work environment conditions, and control over work, on good teaching practices in online courses. This analysis is performed using data from the higher education sector in northwest México.

The Reference Guide (GRII), created by the Official Mexican Standard (NOM-035), and a questionnaire on good teaching practices were applied to a sample of 253 teachers from the participating population. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the hypothesized relationships among constructs.

The most important results of our study are that communication at work had a direct and positive effect on the work environment conditions and control over work. Additionally, these last two factors presented a direct and positive impact on good teaching practices.

After reviewing the outcomes of the structural model, it was concluded that understanding the relationships demonstrated in this study provides educational institutions with valuable information to implement well-defined strategies for achieving healthier working conditions for teachers, which in turn positively impacts good teaching practices in online courses.

Workplaces can present ergonomic hazards, leading to musculoskeletal problems.

This study focused on ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders experienced by nurses.

This was a descriptive study. The research was conducted between January and May 2023. The sample consisted of 537 nurses. Data were collected face-to-face using a personal information form, the Questionnaire Survey of Ergonomic Risks Among Nursing Workers-TR (ErgoEnf-TR), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ).

Participants had a mean ErgoEnf-TR “biomechanical factors,” “environmental factors/workplace,” and “organizational and psychosocial factors” subscale score of 71.89 ± 22.48, 56.74 ± 28.33, and 67.10 ± 25.48, respectively. Participants working night and day/night shifts had a significantly higher mean ErgoEnf-TR score than those working day shifts. Participants who could not take breaks had a significantly higher mean ErgoEnf-TR score than those who could. Participants who did not adhere to the principles of body mechanics had a significantly higher mean ErgoEnf-TR score than those who did. Participants who did not exercise regularly had a significantly higher mean ErgoEnf-TR score than those who did. The ergonomic risks included musculoskeletal disorders in the lower back, back, neck, and shoulders. Furthermore, ergonomic risk increased by one unit in the presence of biomechanical, environmental, organizational, and psychosocial factors.

Individual characteristics and workplace factors put nurses at an increased risk for musculoskeletal problems. Working style, rest status, work stress, compliance with the principles of body mechanics, regular exercise, and pain status affect nurses’ ergonomic risk scores.

Coworking spaces in shopping malls represent an emerging trend in the reimagining of commercial real estate for modern work needs. While coworking environments have been widely studied in traditional office settings, limited research explores their integration into retail infrastructure and its implications for tenant retention and member performance.

This study aims to examine the interrelationships among coworking space preference, work culture, productivity, professional networking, community engagement, and tenant retention, focusing on whether shopping malls can effectively function as future-ready coworking ecosystems.

A structured questionnaire was administered to 352 professionals working from coworking spaces located within malls. Respondents were selected using purposive sampling and represented sectors such as technology, creative services, finance, and consulting. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for analysis. All participants gave informed consent and were made aware of the study's aim and objectives before participation.

The most significant finding is that a strong preference for coworking spaces in malls leads to increased tenant retention by fostering a productive work culture and facilitating professional networking and community engagement. The results further confirm that coworking space preference positively affects productivity and enhances member experiences, making malls viable long-term workspaces.

The study demonstrates that integrating coworking spaces into shopping malls offers a strategic opportunity to revitalize retail infrastructure while meeting evolving workplace needs. These insights can guide mall developers, coworking operators, and policymakers in rethinking commercial spaces to support dynamic, tenant-retaining work ecosystems.

The number of shipyard accidents should be reduced by examining the effects of the various demographic and workplace factors on the severity of the accident.

The study examines shipyard accidents and various occupational-behavioral-environmental factors affecting these accidents to find minor accidents (or near-misses) that turned out to be major and to examine the effects of factors on the possible consequences of the accidents, to compare the predicted results with the actual results, and to investigate possible hidden reasons for the occurrence of accidents.

The study uses an accident causality model and conducts experiments with a multi-factor approach on accident causality in the shipbuilding industry through logistic regression and machine learning. It performs an association rules analysis to further enhance the causality model.

Machine learning algorithm outputs yielded results that differed significantly from the apparent descriptive distribution of causes of major accidents. Lack of control and audit stands out as the most important accident factor in the occurrence of major accidents. Design errors and lack of training are also two important administrative factors in the occurrence of major accidents. 38.2% of major occupational accidents in shipyards are preventable or can be overcome with minor injury. In 87% of preventable major accidents, the employee had been involved in one or two previous minor incidents.

Administrative deficiencies are prominent in major accidents. The main employer's workers and managers are at higher risk in terms of major accident exposure. The effectiveness of safety training should be increased in accordance with the changing working environment and technological conditions.

Industrial tasks often require workers to maintain awkward static postures at non-optimal workstations, leading to physical strain and musculoskeletal issues. Exoskeletons offer potential ergonomic benefits by reducing physical workload. However, the efficacy of passive lower-limb exoskeletons in non-optimal workstation conditions remains unclear.

This study examines the ergonomic efficacy of a passive lower-limb exoskeleton during simulated industrial tasks performed at workstations with varying heights and tilt angles.

Sixteen participants performed bolting tasks at workstations configured at two heights (60 cm and 90 cm) and three tilt angles (0°, 45°, and 90°), under exoskeleton and non-exoskeleton conditions. Assessments included muscle activity (erector spinae and rectus femoris), joint angles (lumbar, hips, and knees), segmental REBA scores, perceived exertion, and perceived discomfort. Mixed-effects and generalized linear mixed models evaluated the impact of workstation conditions and exoskeleton use.

The exoskeleton reduced erector spinae muscle activity by an average of 39% and supported more neutral hip and knee postures (p < 0.001), though it increased rectus femoris activity at the higher workstation (p < 0.001) and segmental REBA scores for the trunk and leg under specific conditions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, although exoskeleton use did not have a significant effect on perceived exertion or discomfort, workstation height significantly influenced both variables (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).

The passive lower-limb exoskeleton may reduce specific muscle loads and improve posture in non-ideal settings, though its efficacy varies by workstation configuration.

This study comprehensively evaluated occupational health, safety, and welfare conditions in small and medium enterprises.

The research used an integrated framework combining physical, mechanical, and psychological risk evaluation. Given the limited research infrastructure in informal industrial sectors, the investigation aimed to establish baseline occupational health data for policy intervention development.

This cross-sectional exploratory study employed a mixed methods approach designed specifically for resource-constrained informal sector research. Data were collected from 10 randomly selected SMEs and 1 large-scale industry for comparative analysis. A culturally adapted questionnaire was developed and validated after reviewing existing international tools that proved inadequate for the Indian SME context, including 50 workers selected through stratified sampling.

Workers faced severe multi-dimensional occupational hazards with alarming injury rates: cut injuries (26%, n = 13), hearing impairment from noise exposure (26%, n = 13), respiratory disorders from metal dust (20%, n = 10), skin allergies from metal handling (14%, n = 7), and thermal burns (12%, n = 6). 86% of workers (n = 43) showed complete unawareness of psychological health impacts, while 57% (n = 29) worked excessive 12-h shifts, violating regulatory standards. Critical safety gaps included 52% of workers operating without any personal protective equipment and zero pre-employment health screenings across all surveyed industries.

This study reveals critical systemic failures in occupational safety within SME steel industries, with workers experiencing simultaneous physical, mechanical, and psychological hazards. The integrated assessment approach uncovered previously underreported psychological health neglect alongside documented physical risks. The findings establish baseline data for this understudied sector and demonstrate significant associations between safety practices and health outcomes.

This paper presents the validation of the supermom myth in a new normal situation, where the challenges of the post-pandemic era are so intense that they disrupt women's work-life balance (WOLB).

The paper investigates the school teachers’ work-life balance in the new normal situations when challenges are enormous due to situational factors such as frequently changing teaching modes (hybrid & online); excessive household chores, the necessity of taking preventive measures, increased children care, and many more endless challenges.

The study used the in-depth interview-based method for nineteen female teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools. The researchers interviewed the teachers using phone calls and online meetings held from 1–28 February 2022. The data were analyzed using a qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology approach.

The study identified the mother teachers’ challenges, struggles, acceptances, and adjustments that they have to make at home and the workplace to comply with the new normal situations and fulfill society's expectation of being a superwoman. The study found that teachers found it difficult to prove themselves as supermom during challenging times when the high society and workplace expectations make the work-life balance more complicated.

The paper suggested that organizations should adopt a flexible and comfortable working approach for their employes. The study suggests that female teachers can maintain their mental well-being with family members and coworkers. Further, society should not always perceive women as superwomen; they should be accommodated so they can manage work-life balance. The paper contributes to societal reforms in flexible, professional policy that supports working women; increases the morale and efficiency of women employes. This study offered insights related to the female teachers’ work-life balance when the cultural and social stereotypes expect them to be supermoms in intensified situations, such as the new normal. The study presents the impact of these changes on women's personal, professional, and mental well-being.

In the healthcare sector, the most common injuries include needle sticks and injuries from sharp objects. Consistent with nurses and other healthcare personnel, nursing students are similarly vulnerable to these occupational hazards during their clinical training.

This study aimed to assess nursing students’ attitudes toward the safe use of sharp medical instruments and to identify the factors influencing these attitudes.

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a population of 680 student nurses, of whom 415 participated as the study sample at a university in western Türkiye. Descriptive characteristics were summarized using frequencies, percentages, and descriptive statistics.

Most student nurses expressed concerns regarding sharps injuries. 23.6% reported experiencing sharps-related injuries, and only 50% reported the incident. The mean attitude score towards the safe use of sharps was 114.57 ± 10.96. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between gender, Grade Point Average (GPA), and attitudes toward sharps safety. Female students and students with a “good/excellent” GPA had higher sharps-safety attitude scores compared to male students and those with an “average” GPA.

The findings revealed that student nurses generally demonstrated safe sharps-handling practices. Female students and those with higher GPAs exhibited significantly safer sharps usage. These results highlight the need for structured training programs to enhance student nurses’ knowledge and awareness of sharps injuries before clinical placements and throughout practice. Additionally, institutional guidelines on sharps-injury prevention should be updated in line with current evidence, and adherence to these protocols should be monitored by mentor nurses or clinical instructors.

Precise anthropometric data are vital for ergonomic assessment and farm machinery design. Manual methods, although dependable, are labor-intensive and susceptible to error.

This study aimed to develop and validate a computer vision (CV) based non-contact system for anthropometric measurements, focusing on stature, vertical reach, trochanteric height, and chest circumference.

An Intel RealSense D435i stereo camera with OpenCV, mediapipe captured images from three angles (front, diagonal, side) at 2.5–3.5 m. Thirty-two participants (16 male, 16 female) were measured, with manual anthropometry as reference. Accuracy was assessed using mean absolute difference (MAD) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), while reliability was examined via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, p < 0.05).

The 3.0 m front-facing view yielded the most accurate measurements. CV-based anthropometry slightly underestimated stature for males (1596 vs. 1646 mm) and females (1456 vs. 1521 mm; MAD 53–65 mm; MAPE 3–4%), with excellent reliability (ICC > 0.90, α > 0.85). Vertical reach showed the largest bias (83–90 mm; MAPE 4–5%), yet reliability remained high (ICC 0.88–0.91). Trochanteric height had minimal discrepancies (29–36 mm; MAPE ≤ 4%) with good consistency (ICC 0.85–0.90). Chest circumference showed small bias (±10 mm; MAPE 3–4%) but lower reliability (ICC 0.75–0.80), likely due to respiration. Overall, CV measurements were reliable, non-invasive, and scalable.

The CV-based system offers a precise, scalable, and non-contact alternative to manual anthropometry, enabling reliable data collection for ergonomic evaluation and improved man–machine compatibility in agriculture.

Agricultural laborers, particularly women in rural India, are exposed to prolonged postural strain due to repetitive and ergonomically hazardous tasks. These conditions contribute significantly to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

The present study assessed the efficacy of Postural Management Guidelines (PMG) designed to enhance ergonomic awareness among female farm workers.

A field-based intervention study involving 30 purposively selected farm women was conducted in Girwa Panchayat Samiti, Udaipur, Rajasthan. The participants received training based on a researcher-developed PMG that covered body mechanics, lifting techniques and optimal postures. A 25-item structured knowledge checklist was administered before and after. Statistical analysis included Descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests and effect size (Cohen's d) were computed to determine the significance of the knowledge gain.

Postural knowledge scores improved significantly from a pre-test mean of 7.8 (SD = 1.81) to a post-test mean of 22.83 (SD = 1.63), with a t-value of 4.77 (p < 0.001), Cohen's d = 9.05. The coefficient of variation decreased from 21.67% to 8.13%, which indicates an improved consistency. Thus, the findings affirm the impact of ergonomic education on awareness enhancement.

The PMG proved effective in increasing ergonomic knowledge among rural female agricultural workers. These guidelines offer a practical and scalable intervention for reducing occupational health risks related to posture. The integration of this kind of training into agricultural extension programs may yield long-term health benefits in rural areas.

Workplace harassment and negative behaviors exert a substantial impact on employees’ psycho-emotional health and job satisfaction. Although extensive research has been conducted on clinical healthcare staff, administrative personnel, who are integral to healthcare operations, remain insufficiently studied.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence and effects of negative workplace behaviors, including bullying and harassment, on the psycho-emotional health and quality of life of administrative staff at the General Hospital of Corinthos, Greece.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2023, involving 97 administrative employees. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, including the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) to assess workplace bullying and the WHOQOL-BREF to evaluate quality of life. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.

The findings indicated that 24.1% of participants experienced severe workplace bullying, while 40% reported moral harassment. Negative workplace behaviors were significantly correlated with diminished quality of life, particularly in physical health (r = −0.299, p = 0.003) and psychological well-being. Female employees and those with lower education levels were more susceptible to bullying. Strong social support emerged as a protective factor.

Workplace bullying is prevalent among healthcare administrative staff and adversely affects their psycho-emotional health. The study highlights the necessity for targeted interventions, such as anti-bullying policies and psychosocial support programs, to promote a healthier work environment.

High hospital staff turnover not only undermines patient trust in healthcare institutions but also increases administrative costs, thereby threatening the stability of the healthcare system. However, systematic research on the factors influencing hospital employee turnover in China remains limited.

This study aimed to identify key determinants of staff attrition by analyzing individual and work-related characteristics, providing evidence for targeted human resource interventions.

This cross-sectional study collected anonymized data from 1186 current and resigned employees at a tertiary hospital in Nantong between 2019 and 2024. Variables included demographic and job-related characteristics. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation, and binary logistic regression were employed to examine associations between these factors and turnover risk.

A total of 1186 employee records were included in the analysis, showing a higher turnover rate among males compared to females. Factors related to employee turnover were identified as: Individual characteristics: Age (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.62–0.78), being married (OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11–0.82); Work characteristics: Nursing positions (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05–0.29), monthly salary between 8000–10,000 (OR = 8.66, 95% CI: 3.19–23.50), monthly salary >10,000 (OR = 10.75, 95% CI: 4.75–20.17), and being in an authorized strength (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02–0.31).

High-risk groups included high-earners, young unmarried staff, and those in non- authorized strength. Interventions such as salary structure optimization, targeted welfare policies for unmarried youth is recommended to improve retention. This study provides empirical evidence for regional hospital workforce management.

The Vermont Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury and Illness Network (VT RETAIN) demonstration project was designed to evaluate an early stay-at-work/return-to-work (SAW/RTW) program model centered in primary care addressing the unmet needs of individuals facing work disability in Vermont with a focus on mental health barriers to work.

To describe the design of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the VT RETAIN project and summarizes the baseline characteristics of enrolled participants.

The target population was individuals with work-limiting, work-related or non-work-related, health conditions receiving care at participating primary care clinics. Participating clinics and patients received evidence-based SAW/RTW resources. Additionally, half the clinics were randomized to receive professional Work-Health Coaching, which included SAW/RTW coordination for patients enrolled from the participating clinics.

VT RETAIN enrolled 120 primary care practices and 881 participants across the state. Participants (mean age 43 years ±13) were 62% female and 88% white, with 41% reporting a mental health disorder or substance use related disorder as the main condition limiting work, and 73% reporting depression as a comorbidity; 19% were from professional occupations and 18% from health care.

The VT RETAIN project successfully scaled evidence-based SAW/RTW strategies statewide; reached the target population with work-limiting mental health conditions; and integrated mental health and social determinants of health screenings for all participants. These results show that employment, healthcare, mental health, and social services can be coordinated to support work ability across a population. This information can inform other SAW/RTW programs or services.

Safety shoes are crucial for worker protection; however, their design and ergonomics aspects have been largely overlooked.

This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate safety shoe design issues systematically.

A 35-item questionnaire was developed in this cross-sectional study. Twenty-four experts in ergonomics, HSE, and shoe production fields evaluated the questionnaire for face and content validity. The reliability of data collected from 225 participants was examined using Cronbach's alpha, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), and test–retest methods. Varimax-rotated principal component analysis was employed to assess construct validity through exploratory factor analysis.

The experts provided feedback during face validity, which led to changes in specific questions, yielding an average Impact Score of 4.72. The CVR was 0.91. The mean CVI for relevance, clarity, simplicity, and overall content was 0.98, 0.96, and 0.98, respectively, resulting in an overall CVI of 0.97. Factor analysis revealed Cronbach's alpha values of 0.828 for satisfaction, 0.565 for quality, 0.898 for comfort, and 0.70 for fit. The ICCs were 0.85 for fit, 0.85 for satisfaction, 0.86 for comfort and 0.759 for quality. After revisions, researchers finalized the questionnaire with 35 items.

The developed questionnaire demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. This tool can identify and address design deficiencies in safety shoes (e.g., fit, comfort, quality, and satisfaction), thereby contributing to improved worker comfort and foot health. Furthermore, the instrument provides a standardized framework for future research on various types of footwear.

Recent prevalence estimates on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as the U.S. 2022 surveillance and the MENA 2025 synthesis, appear to suggest a rising demand for rehabilitation services for children with ASD. This increase may be associated with heavier caseloads and greater role complexity for ASD specialists. While the exact impacts remain under exploration, there is a growing need to understand the lived experiences of these specialists to help inform more effective support strategies in the future.

This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of ASD specialists to identify factors contributing to their job satisfaction and challenges.

Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews with nine purposively selected ASD specialists (representing speech therapy, behavioral intervention, and physical education) were conducted, audio-recorded (seven in-person, two via Skype), and transcribed verbatim, with thematic analysis via MAXQDA yielding 824 codes across four themes, achieving data saturation.

Thematic analysis revealed four themes—Job Retention (26%), Mental Health and Self-Care Strategies (24%), Professional Competencies (29%), and Professional Challenges (21%)—with word frequency analysis of 4662 words (e.g., “Child” [1468 occurrences], “Interest” [240]) highlighting motivations, skills, and stressors.

This study highlights that robust self-care strategies and strong professional competencies notably enhance job retention and mitigate professional challenges for ASD specialists. Targeted interventions, including tailored self-care programs and competency-based training, are essential to bolster job satisfaction and care quality. Future research should develop validated tools to measure these factors and design support programs to address specialists’ needs effectively.