Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: Shift work, in addition to its effects on physical, psychological and social status, may impact on oral health. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between shift work and oral health in nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 nurses working in a hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2014-2015. Oral health status and DMFT index (Decayed, Missing and Filling Teeth) was assessed by a dentist through clinical examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, chi-squared test, independent samples t-test and multiple logistic regressions test.

Results: The results showed that the means of DMFT index in shift work nurses and non-shift work nurses were 8.10 ± 4.10 and 9.41 ± 2.8, respectively. There was no significant difference between decayed, missing and filled teeth and periodontal DMFT index in both groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age was a significant predictor of DMFT indictor (P<0.001). No significant relationship was found in DMFT index with gravid, parity, family income, anxiety and work experience.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that shift work was not an independent factor affecting oral health. However, regarding the DMFT index mean differences and nurses’ job responsibilities, it seems necessary to pay more attention to this occupational group.

Background and Objectives: Macro Ergonomics is a socio-technical approach that deals with organizational, and work system design, as well as the design of human-machine, human-environment, and human-job interactions. Researches show that workplace macroeconomic’ conditions have undesirable effects on employees’ health, and hospital staff experience high levels of occupational stress and high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relation between macroeconomic’ condition and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders as well as outcomes of job stress among employees of hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and 350 employees who randomly were selected from 5 hospitals participated in this study. Macro-ergonomic, Nordic and job stress outcomes questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis.
Results: The findings of the present study indicated that out of 350 participants 217 (62%) were female and 168 were nurses (48%). Their mean age was 36.63 (±8.13) years and their average work experience was 11.53 (±7.65) years. The results of ANOVA test showed that the status of macro-ergonomics was significantly different in hospitals and hospital 1 had favorable condition. The majority of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms were reported in the neck (75.7%), hip, and waist (73.7%). The average score of job stress outcomes for the participants was lower than favorable limit. Macro-ergonomic’ conditions had significant associations with musculoskeletal disorders and job stress’ outcomes.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, macro-ergonomic conditions had significant effects on musculoskeletal disorders and job stress outcomes. Interventional efforts should focus on organization and developing macro-ergonomic training programs to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and job stress and improve job conditions in hospitals.