This study aims to determine the medico-social factors that predicted workers’ low work ability (LWA) leading to long-term absenteeism and permanent medical unfitness for work.
This was a cross-sectional analysis based on a cohort of workers followed up by an occupational health service in the south of France.
Employees visited by the service completed the Work Ability Index (WAI), a self-administered questionnaire. A score of 26 points or more defines high work ability while a score of 25 points or less defines LWA (scoring from 6 to 50 points). Occupational and medico-social data were obtained from computerised medical records. Logistic regression models were applied.
Of the 2104 WAIs completed the baseline questionnaire, the factors most associated with LWA were mental disorders (OR: 3.46), adaptation of the workstation (OR: 2.88) and long/iterative stoppages (OR: 2.87). Blue collar (OR: 2.50), white collar (OR: 2.34), permanent contracts (OR: 1.79), disability (OR: 2.63), recognition as a disabled worker (OR: 2.37), musculoskeletal disorders of the neck (OR: 2.52) and back (OR: 1.69) also appear to be associated with a risk of LWA.
White-collar and blue collar workers affected by mental disorders and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and back appear to be significantly associated with a risk of LWA. To adjust LWA preventive measures, future studies are needed to discuss further these risk factors.
To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) regarding cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and diabetes-related complications in two hospitals in the West Region of Cameroon during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over 5 months from April to September 2022.
This study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals in the West Region of Cameroon, in Central Africa.
It included all patients with T2DM receiving care at these two hospitals, having agreed to participate and followed up in both hospitals for at least 3 months.
Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment data were collected using a data sheet, and KAP scores were based on the Essi and Njoya framework. Data collection and analysis were performed using SPSS V.23.0 software. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with unacceptable KAP (p
A total of 140 participants (71 women) with an average age of 63 years and an average diabetes duration of 6.14±5.7 years were included. Most (55%) were managed by general practitioners. The main CVRFs identified were hypertension (11%) and overweight (6%), while the leading complications included visual disorders (10.7%), hypoglycaemia (6.4%) and erectile dysfunction (2.1%). Knowledge was good in 34.3% of participants, only 25.7% demonstrated correct attitudes, and merely 15.7% engaged in adequate practices. Unacceptable knowledge was associated with diabetes duration between 3 months and 5 years (OR: 0.34 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.85), p=0.021), follow-up by a specialist (OR: 0.31 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.74), p=0.009), the presence of at least one CVRF (OR: 0.03 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.23), p
Few people with T2DM presented good knowledge, right attitudes and adequate practices. Enhanced patient education and increasing specialist numbers are essential to promote self-management of the condition and to decrease the incidence of complications and mortality.