Occupational health check-ups and health-promoting programs and asthma

Abstract

Background: The focus in occupational health checkups is in work and health, but they offer also a possibility to assess health behavior and give guidance e.g. on weight control. We wanted to study whether having occupational health checks-up, receiving physicians' advice to change health behavior or participation in health promotion programs had an effect on obesity in a five-year follow-up from 1998 to 2003 in asthmatic and non-asthmatic workers. Methods: Altogether 23,220 individuals aged 20-54 years were picked up from a randomized Finnish population sample. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk for obesity in 2003. The variables used in the modelling were gender, age, smoking, asthma, depression, and physical workload. Results: Both asthmatic and non-asthmatic workers gained weight during the follow-up. Of the asthmatics 48 and 47% of the non-asthmatics had occupational health-checkup in the last 5 years. Of the asthmatics 18 and 14% of the non-asthmatics had received physician's advice to change their health behavior (p < 0.001). Associated factors for obesity (BMI > 30) in 2003 were gender (men OR 1.19), older age (OR 1.25), smoking (OR 1.07) or depression (OR 1.44). Conclusions: Results show that having occupational health checks-up or receiving physicians' advice to change health behavior or participation in health promotion programs did not stop gain of weight during a five-year follow-up. Asthmatic workers did not differ from non-asthmatics. Male gender, older age, smoking, and depression were associated with obesity but not the physical workload.

Exploring the determinants of risk behavior for transfusion transmissible infections among first-time blood donors in Mandalay General Hospital, Myanmar

“…This might be a result of the intense competition in the workplace, which encourages private employees to prioritize their health and responsibilities. Furthermore, regular screenings for health in the private sector may raise awareness of health concerns, impact on health behavior and encourage safer practices [ 26 ]. An important risk for infection and subsequent transmission to recipients is highlighted by the substantial proportion of first-time blood donors (76.8%) who lack the HBV vaccine.…”