Use of alcohol and drugs among health professionals in Norway: a study using data from questionnaires and samples of oral fluid

Edvardsen, Hilde Marie Erøy; Karinen, Ritva; Moan, Inger Synnøve; Øiestad, Elisabeth Leere; Christophersen, Asbjørg S.; Gjerde, Hallvard

doi:10.1186/1745-6673-9-8

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…The prevalence of ever consuming alcohol among these study participants is lower than the reported prevalence among Kenyan nurses (35.8%) (Mokaya et al, 2016). It is however higher than the prevalence reported among nurses in Norway, 0.3% (Edvardsen et al, 2014). The prevalence in this study is comparable to the reported prevalence (22%) among healthcare professionals, including nurses in another province of South Africa (Okeke, Ross, Esterhuizen, & Van Wyk, 2012).…”

Section: Lack Of Initiativecontrasting

confidence: 49%

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Monakali¹,

Goon²,

Seekoe³

et al. 2018

GJHS

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Nurses play significant roles in health promotion and health education about healthy lifestyle practices and are considered role models of healthy lifestyle behaviours. It is unclear if their knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices translate to practice. This study assessed the lifestyle behaviours of primary healthcare professional nurses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. This descriptive, cross-sectional study involved 203 purposively selected primary healthcare nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. We utilised the WHO STEPwise questionnaire to assess the lifestyle behaviour (smoking, alcohol use and physical activity) of the nurses. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out at a significance level of p<0.05. The participants’ mean age was 45.17 (Standard Deviation±11.26) years. Of all the participants, 27% had ever taken alcohol, and 18% currently use alcohol. Only 8% had ever smoked and of these, 3% currently smoke. Of all the participants, 33% do not engage in physical activities, and only 29% of them met the WHO recommendation for being active. Most of them were aware of the benefits of physical activities. Majority of the participants cited lack of time (74%) and lack of commitment (63%) as barriers to physical activity and few of them cited health challenges (3.9%). Among the primary health care professional nurses in this setting, we found a high prevalence of alcohol use and low prevalence of smoking and physical activity among primary health care nurses in this setting. There is a need to implement effective workplace strategies and wellness programmes that will foster healthy lifestyle practices among the nurses.

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Section: Lack Of Initiativecontrasting

confidence: 49%

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Monakali¹,

Goon²,

Seekoe³

et al. 2018

GJHS

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“…More detailed results from one business area (healthcare) have been published in an separate article [ 28 ]. In this article we present the total findings from the pilot and main studies, which included 2437 employees from eight business areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of alcohol and drugs by employees in selected business areas in Norway: a study using oral fluid testing and questionnaires

Edvardsen

Moan²,

Christophersen

et al. 2015

J Occup Med Toxicol

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BackgroundAlcohol or drug use and associated hangover may reduce workplace safety and productivity and also cause sickness absence. The aims of this study were to examine (i) the use of alcohol and drugs, and (ii) reduced efficiency at work and absence due to such use among employees.MethodsForty-four companies were invited; half of them agreed to participate. Employees filled in a questionnaire and provided a sample of oral fluid, which was analysed for alcohol, 12 psychoactive medicinal drugs and 6 illicit drugs. Participation was voluntary and anonymous.ResultsTwo thousand four hundred thirty-seven employees in eight business areas agreed to participate (92 % of those invited). By combining questionnaires and oral fluid testing, we found that 5.2 % had used psychoactive medication during the last couple of days, 1.4 % had used illicit drugs, 17.0 % had used alcohol during the last 24 h but only one person (0.04 %) was positive for alcohol in oral fluid. About 25 % reported reduced efficiency at work, and 5 % reported absence from work due to alcohol use during the past 12 months. The use of illicit drugs and binge drinking resulting in reduced efficiency and absence was most common among restaurant and bar workers and more common among men than women, whereas use of psychoactive medication was most common among healthcare, transportation and storage workers.ConclusionImpairment at work due to alcohol or drugs was rare, whereas reduced efficiency due to drinking was reported by a fairly large proportion. There were marked differences between some business areas, and across gender.

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“…Alcohol and drug problems should be considered as health problems and they should be dealt with the same way as any other health problem at work [43]. In Norway, WDT is mainly done within the transport, petrochemical, shipping, automobile, pharmaceutical and computer industries, by mutual agreement between the employee and the company [44].…”

Section: Workplace Drug Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Drug Testing: An Overview of the Current Situation

2016

J Toxins

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Background: Almost a quarter of the adult population in the European Union are estimated to have used illicit drugs at some point in their lives. Since these substances can be found at home, on the road, in leisure, it can be assumed that also exist in the workplace, even if they are more difficult to detect. In the workplace, psychoactive substances use may have important implications for workers, thus affecting the tasks to be carried out in their work environment.Objective: This article reviews how the different countries implement the workplace drug testing (WDT) as necessary tool in order to play a deterrent role on the abuse behavior.Discussion: At a European level there is no specific legislation on drug testing at the workplace. WDT is performed on a much smaller scale than in the United States, though it is on the increase. It is also important to discriminate between workers under the influence of these substances at work than those who consume regularly but are not under the influence of drugs at work. In conclusion we can say that there is a growing interest in WDT, but the costs and benefits that these controls may represent remain unknown.

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Use of alcohol and drugs among health professionals in Norway: a study using data from questionnaires and samples of oral fluid

Cited by 10 publications

References 23 publications

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Health-Promoting Lifestyle Behaviours Among Primary Healthcare Professional Nurses in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Use of alcohol and drugs by employees in selected business areas in Norway: a study using oral fluid testing and questionnaires

Workplace Drug Testing: An Overview of the Current Situation

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