| 1. |
- Areskoug Josefsson, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Detecting decreased sexual health with MDHAQ-S
- 2013
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In: Health (Irvine). - 1949-4998 .- 1949-5005. ; :5, s. 38-47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There are instruments that measure sexual function or sexual health for persons with RA, but since sexual health is a sensitive issue, the hypothesis is that it would be easier to have a standard questionnaire that could indicate the need for communication about sexual health issues instead of an extra questionnaire with more detailed questions on sexual health. The aim of the study is to find out whether sexual health difficulties can be screened by factors included in the MDHAQ-S for persons with RA. This study explores the relation between factors included in the MDHAQ-S and the Sexual Health Questionnaire (QSH) using a mixed methods design combining quantitative and qualitative data. The MDHAQ-S covers sexual health issues, not only by using the question on sexual health, but also on other factors included in the questionnaire such as increased pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, physical capacity, level of physical activity and body weight. To explore decreased sexual arousal, decreased sexual satisfaction and decreased sexual well-being, in-depth interviews must be held with persons with RA, either using a sexual health questionnaire or in a clinical interview.
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| 2. |
- Areskoug Josefsson, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Sexual health in patients with rheumatoid arthritis : experiences, needs and communication with health care professionals
- 2012
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In: Musculoskeletal Care. - : Wiley. - 1478-2189 .- 1557-0681. ; 10:2, s. 76-89
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pain, fatigue and decreased joint mobility caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often decrease sexual health in RA patients. Regular physiotherapy interventions in patients with RA are often aimed at improving those factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the experiences and views of patients concerning the impact of RA on their sexual health, the possible impact of physiotherapy interventions, and communication in clinical situations. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to patients with RA at two rehabilitation clinics in Sweden. The questionnaire included questions concerning the impact of RA on intimate relationships and sexual function, as well as experiences of physiotherapy and sexual health communication with health professionals. The questionnaire was answered by 63 patients. The majority of the patients thought that pain, stiffness, fatigue and physical capacity were related to sexual health. Communication between health professionals and patients about sexual health was less common, even if the desire for communication about sexual health was higher in this study than in other studies. The authors concluded that physiotherapists need to be aware that pain, fatigue, decreased joint mobility and physical capacity can affect sexual health and that physiotherapy can make a difference in sexual health in patients with RA. The impact of RA on sexual health is rarely discussed by health professionals and RA patients, and needs greater attention
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| 3. |
- Areskoug Josefsson, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Swedish version of the multi dimensional health assessment questionnaire – translation and psychometric evaluation
- 2013
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In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundHealth assessment measurements for patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have to be meaningful, valid and relevant. A commonly used questionnaire for patients with RA is the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ), which has been available in Swedish since 1988. The HAQ has been revised and improved several times and the latest version is the Multi Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ). The aim of this study was to translate the MDHAQ to Swedish conditions and to test the validity and reliability of this version for persons with RA. MethodsTranslation and adaption of the MDHAQ were performed according to guidelines by Guillemin et al. The translated version was tested for face validity and test-retest in a group of 30 patients with RA. Content validity, criterion validity and internal consistency were tested in a larger study group of 83 patients with RA. Reliability was tested with test-retest and Cronbach´s alpha for internal consistency. Two aspects of validity were explored: content and criterion validity. Content validity was tested with a content validity index. Criterion validity was tested with concurrent validity by exploring the correlation between the MDHAQ-S and the AIMS2-SF. Floor and ceiling effects were explored. ResultsTest-retest with intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) gave a coefficient of 0.85 for physical function and 0.79 for psychological properties. Reliability test with Cronbach´s alpha gave an alpha of 0.65 for the psychological dimension and an alpha of 0.88 for the physical dimension of the MDHAQ-S. The average sum of the content validity index for each item was of the MDHAQ-S was 0.94. The MDHAQ-S had mainly a moderate correlation with the AIMS2-SF, except for the social dimension of the AIMS2-SF, which had a very low correlation with the MDHAQ-S. ConclusionsThe MDHAQ-S was considered to be reliable and valid, but further research is needed concerning sensitivity to change.
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| 4. |
- Areskoug Josefsson, Kristina, et al.
(author)
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Women's experiences of sexual health when living with Rheumatoid Arthritis : an explorative qualitative study
- 2010
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In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 11, s. 240-247
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The ICF core sets for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) acknowledge sexual function and intimate relationships as important since the patients' sexual health can be affected by the disease. About 36-70% of all RA-patients experience a reduced sexual health, and their perceived problems are directly or indirectly caused by their disease. Physiotherapy is often used as non-pharmacological treatment for RA. Mobility treatment, pain reduction, and physical activities are often included in physiotherapy for patients with RA. The aim of the study was to explore sexual health in relation to physiotherapy in women living with RA. Method: An explorative qualitative interview study with a phenomenological approach was performed. The study consisted of ten interviews with women with RA. The analysis was performed according to Giorgi. Results: The main theme that emerged in the material was that the body and the total life situation affected sexual health. Three categories were included in the theme: 1) sexual health - physical and psychological dimensions, 2) Impacts of RA, and 3) Possibilities to increase sexual health - does physiotherapy make a difference?. Conclusions: Sexual health was affected by RA in different ways for the informants. Possibilities to improve sexual health were improved partner communication and physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can play an active role in improving sexual health for patients with RA
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| 5. |
- Backteman-Erlanson, Susann, 1958-
(author)
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Burnout, work, stress of conscience and coping among female and male patrolling police officers
- 2013
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background. Police work is a stressful occupation with frequent exposure to traumatic events and psychological strain from work might increase the risk of burnout. This thesis focuses on patrolling police officers (PPO), who work most of their time in the community and have daily contact with the public. Since police work traditionally is a male coded occupation we assume that there are differences between women and men in burnout as well as experiences from psychosocial work environment.Aim. The overall aim of this thesis is to explore burnout, psychosocial and physical work environment, coping strategies, and stress of conscience when taking gender into consideration among patrolling police officers.Methods. This thesis employs both qualitative and quantitative methods. In Paper I a qualitative approach with narrative interviews was used where male PPO described experiences of traumatic situations when caring for victims of traffic accidents. A convenience sample of nine male PPO from a mid-sized police authority was recruited. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Papers II, III, and IV were based on a cross-sectional survey from a randomly selected sample stratified for gender from all 21 local police authorities in Sweden. In the final sample, 1554 PPOs were invited (778 women, 776 men), response rate was 55% (n=856) in total, 56% for women (n=437) and 53% for men (n=419). The survey included a self-administered questionnaire based on instruments measuring burnout, stress of conscience, psychosocial and physical work environment, and coping.Results. Findings from Paper I were presented in three themes; “being secure with the support system,” “being confident about prior successful actions,” and “being burdened with uncertainty.” Results from Paper II showed high levels of emotional exhaustion (EE), 30% for female PPOs and 26% for male PPOs. High levels of depersonalization (DP) were reported for 52 % of female PPO, corresponding proportions for male were 60%. Multiple logistic regression showed that stress of conscience (SCQ-A), high demand, and organizational climate increased the risk of EE for female PPO. For male PPO stress of conscience (SCQ-A), low control and high demand increased the risk of EE. Independent of gender, stress of conscience (SCQ-A) increased the risk of DP. Psychometric properties of the WOCQ were investigated with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, a six-factor solution was confirmed. DIF analysis was detected for a third of the items in relation to gender. In Paper IV a block wise hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed investigating the predictive impact of psychological demand, decision latitude, social support, coping strategies, and stress of conscience on EE as well as DP. Findings revealed that, regardless of gender, risk of EE and DP increased with a troubled conscience amongst the PPO.Conclusion. “Being burdened with uncertainty” in this male-dominated context indicate that the PPO did not feel confident talking about traumatic situations, which might influence their coping strategies when arriving to a similar situation. This finding can be related to Paper II and IV showing that stress of conscience increased the risk of both EE and DP. The associations between troubled conscience and the risk of experiencing both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization indicate that stress of conscience should be considered when studying the influence of the psychosocial work environment on burnout. Results from this study show that the psychosocial work environment is not satisfying and needs improvement for patrolling police officers in Sweden. Further studies including both qualitative and quantitative (longitudinal) methods should be used to improve knowledge in this area to increase conditions for preventive and rehabilitative actions.
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| 6. |
- Björklund, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Temporal Patterns of Daily Occupations among Older Adults in Northern Sweden
- 2014
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In: Journal of Occupational Science. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1442-7591 .- 2158-1576. ; 21:2, s. 143-160
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study sought to expand knowledge regarding patterns of daily occupations and, specifically, to explore and describe the daily occupations of Swedish people aged over 70 years by investigating sequences, contexts and time-use. A cross-sectional design with a time-geographic approach was used. Open time diaries from 151 participants were collected and analysed using the software VISUAL-TimePAcTS. The results were illustrated as a routine of six pooled intervals during 24-hour sequences. The intervals comprised different lengths of time and each interval was dominated by different occupations. Night was dominated by ‘care for oneself’; morning by ‘house-keeping’ and ‘reflection and recreation’; lunch-time by care for oneself; afternoon by ‘reflection and recreation’; dinner/tea-time by ‘care for oneself’, and evening by ‘reflection and recreation’. The results were also illustrated as characteristic profiles of occupations visualised by the number of participants in each occupation during 24-hour sequences. Occupations were mainly supported by the home environment. Summed time-use showed the highest proportions in ‘care for oneself’ and ‘reflection and recreation’ occupations. To what extent health and well-being experiences of patterns of daily occupations might be related to challenges and fulfilment of basic occupational needs requires further investigation
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Erlandsson, Lena-Karin, 1963-, et al.
(author)
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Health factors in the everyday life and work of public sector employees in Sweden
- 2012
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In: Work. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 42:3, s. 321-330
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim was to explore aspects of everyday life in addition to established risk factors and their relationship to subjective health and well-being among public sector employees in Sweden. Gainful employment impact on employees' health and well-being, but work is only one part of everyday life and a broader perspective is essential in order to identify health-related factors.Participants: Data were obtained from employees at six Social Insurance Offices in Sweden, 250 women and 50 men.Method: A questionnaire based on established instruments and questions specifically designed for this study was used. Relationships between five factors of everyday life, subjective health and well-being were investigated by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results: The final model revealed a limited importance of certain work-related factors. A general satisfaction with everyday activities, a stress-free environment and general control in addition to not having monotonous movements at work were found to be factors explaining 46.3% of subjective good health and well-being.Conclusions: A person's entire activity pattern, including work, is important, and strategies for promoting health should take into account the person's situation as a whole. The interplay between risk and health factors is not clear and further research is warranted. © 2012 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.
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| 9. |
- Gao, Chuansi, et al.
(author)
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Halk- och fallolyckor, friktionskrav och balansförmåga
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Syftet med detta projekt var att studera samspelet mellan friktion, balansförmåga och halkrisker, samt att ta fram designrekommendationer för friktionskrav och halksäkrare skor och underlag. Sex studier har utförts innefattande friktionsmätningar av skor på olika underlag och temperaturer, studier av stående balans och gång på ramp med justerbar lutning samt fokusgruppintervjuer. Resultaten visar att vid arbete i rumstemperatur på våta klinkergolv bör skosulor av polyuretan användas då de ger högre friktion, utomhus på isigt underlag bör skor med gummi eller latexsulor användas. Oavsett skosulans material och mönster hade alla testade skor utom de dubbade mycket låg friktion på is med vatten. Mjukare material på skosulor bör användas i kyla. Stående tester på plan eller lutande balansplatta med två ytmaterial, takpapp och halt underlag, visade att mer friktion utnyttjades då underlaget lutades. Både underlagets lutning och friktion påverkade balansförmågan. Alla förändringar var tydligare för det hala underlaget, låg friktion är en riskfaktor för att tappa balansen, inte bara vid gång utan också vid stående arbete. Intervjuerstudien visade att upplevda halkrisker var relaterade till hala och lutande underlag och/eller våta eller snöiga skor. Kriterier för en halkfri vintersko var flexibilitet, komfort, multifunktionalitet, ergonomiskt design, individuell anpassning, stabilitet och gångsäkerhet samt anpassning till arbetssituation. Samband mellan friktionskrav och halkrisk på en ramp med olika lutningsvinklar och ytmaterial visade att ju högre lutningsvinkel, dess högre halkrisk och högre friktionskrav vid gång nedåt på både torr och våt stålplåt. Vått underlag och högre grad av lutning bör undvikas. Ett linjärt förhållande har identifierats mellan friktionskrav och lutningsvinkel, där friktionskrav för olika lutningsvinklar kan förutsägas. Ny kunskap om prevention av halk- och fallolyckor, utformning av halksäkrare skor och arbetsplatser har erhållits i projektet.
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| 10. |
- Gao, Chuansi, et al.
(author)
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Using a walkway with adjustable inclination to measure and assess slip and fall risks
- 2014
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In: Proceedings of CIB W099 International Conference Achieving Sustainable Construction Health and Safety. - 9789176230053 ; , s. 118-124
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fall is the most common cause of serious work related accidents. Falls and related injuries not only cause suffering for individuals, but also means a high economic burden to industries and society. The objective of the study was to use a walkway with in-built force plate, adjustable inclination and surface to assess how risks of slips and falls vary due to inclination and friction of the walkway surface. A walkway was designed with adjustable slopes between 0 to 30 degrees. Subject walking tests were performed on dry and wet steel sheet surfaces in two walking directions (uphill and downhill) at three inclination angles (0, 5 and 10 degrees). 3D ground reaction forces while walking were recorded using the force plate. Required coefficient of friction (RCOF) was derived to determine slip and fall risks. The main finding of this study is that the RCOF during heel strike when walking downwards on the steel plate surface increases linearly as the inclination increases. The results contribute to the understanding of slipping and falling mechanisms and the prevention of slipping and falling accidents. When ramps or sloped surfaces are used in workplaces, slip resistance between footwear and the sloped surfaces should be improved.
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