| 1. |
- Ekbladh, Elin, et al.
(författare)
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Initial evaluation of measurement properties of the Work Environment Impact Questionnaire (WEIQ) - using Rasch analysis
- 2024
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Ingår i: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1477-7525. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To provide both preventive and rehabilitative conditions in a workplace, one must understand how employees experience work demands. Such an understanding can be obtained from each individual with valid and quality-assured questionnaires. The Work Environment Impact Questionnaire (WEIQ) is a new questionnaire for measuring employees' self-perceived work ability in relation to their specific workplace environment. The purpose of this study was to assess the measurement properties in terms of construct validity of the WEIQ.Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with 288 respondents from three different workplaces involving assisted living personnel, vocational rehabilitation personnel and personnel at a research institute. The measurement properties of the WEIQ were assessed according to Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT), including assessment of item-to-sample targeting, threshold ordering, item fit statistics, unidimensionality and reliability.Results: Item fit, i.e., fit residuals, item characteristic curves (ICC) and chi square values, were all satisfactory, and no disordered thresholds were present after collapsing the lowest response categories. However, issues with local dependent (LD) item correlations was present in 7.6% cases, four items showed statistically significant differential item functioning (DIF), where 11% of the respondents had person fit residuals outside the recommended range of +/- 2.5 and the t-test for unidimensionality did not meet the criterion of 5%. Scale-to-sample targeting and reliability (0.92) were good. LD could be resolved with testlets and at the same time maintaining fit and improving dimensionality, but then the reliability decreased to 0.82.Conclusions: This study provides an initial validation of the WEIQ to be used for assessing employees' self-perceived work ability. Most measurement properties were acceptable, but further exploration of LD, DIF and unidimensionality in additional work settings and with larger sample sizes is warranted.Trial registration Not applicable.
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| 2. |
- Lo Martire, Riccardo, et al.
(författare)
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Construction of a web-based questionnaire for longitudinal investigation of work exposure, musculoskeletal pain and performance impairments in high-performance marine craft populations
- 2017
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 7:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: High-performance marine craft personnel (HPMCP) are regularly exposed to vibration and repeated shock (VRS) levels exceeding maximum limitations stated by international legislation. Whereas such exposure reportedly is detrimental to health and performance, the epidemiological data necessary to link these adverse effects causally to VRS are not available in the scientific literature, and no suitable tools for acquiring such data exist. This study therefore constructed a questionnaire for longitudinal investigations in HPMCP.METHODS: A consensus panel defined content domains, identified relevant items and outlined a questionnaire. The relevance and simplicity of the questionnaire's content were then systematically assessed by expert raters in three consecutive stages, each followed by revisions. An item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was computed as the proportion of experts rating an item as relevant and simple, and a scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) as the average I-CVI across items. The thresholds for acceptable content validity were 0.78 and 0.90, respectively. Finally, a dynamic web version of the questionnaire was constructed and pilot tested over a 1-month period during a marine exercise in a study population sample of eight subjects, while accelerometers simultaneously quantified VRS exposure.RESULTS: Content domains were defined as work exposure, musculoskeletal pain and human performance, and items were selected to reflect these constructs. Ratings from nine experts yielded S-CVI/Ave of 0.97 and 1.00 for relevance and simplicity, respectively, and the pilot test suggested that responses were sensitive to change in acceleration and that the questionnaire, following some adjustments, was feasible for its intended purpose.CONCLUSIONS: A dynamic web-based questionnaire for longitudinal survey of key variables in HPMCP was constructed. Expert ratings supported that the questionnaire content is relevant, simple and sufficiently comprehensive, and the pilot test suggested that the questionnaire is feasible for longitudinal measurements in the study population.
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| 3. |
- Dobric, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Preschool Children’s Inhalation Rates Estimated from Accelerometers—A Tool to Estimate Children’s Exposure to Air Pollution
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aerosol and Air Quality Research. - : AAGR Aerosol and Air Quality Research. - 1680-8584 .- 2071-1409. ; 22:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Children are particularly sensitive to air pollution exposure, and their personal exposures may differ significantly from those of adults. One key factor for understanding the personal inhaled dose of air pollutants is the respiratory minute ventilation (Ve). To estimate the amount of particles circulated through the lungs, 24 h averages of Ve are often used. These averages poorly capture variations in Ve during the day, and between individuals. We here develop and implement a concept to assess individual Ve of children, with minimal impact on their natural activity and movement pattern by using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Activity of 136 preschool children in the ages 3 to 5 years was logged using accelerometers while the children attended their preschools during a week. A linear regression equation is developed and used for estimating Ve from the accelerometer data retrieved for each individual child. The results show large variations in weekly average Ve between individuals, ranging from 0.33 to 0.48 L min–1 kg–1. Over the days the averages of the individuals’ 1st and 3rd quartiles were 0.28 and 0.48 L min–1 kg–1, respectively. Outdoor activities resulted in a 17% higher Ve than indoor activities, which may be important to consider when estimating the inhaled dose of air pollutants since pollution levels and particle toxicities can be different indoors and outdoors. The observations motivate the use of individual values of Ve in exposure assessments and suggest that accelerometers are a suitable tool for estimating children’s individual Ve in their natural environment. Combined with time resolved local air pollution monitoring, these measurements can provide the basis of a more precise estimate of children’s inhaled dose of air pollutants. © The Author(s).
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| 4. |
- Johansson Hanse, Jan, 1954, et al.
(författare)
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Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Psychosocial Factors at Work Among Healthcare Professionals
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Nursing and Care. - : OMICS Publishing Group. - 2167-1168. ; 3:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The study aims to examine the associations between leader–member exchange (LMX) and psychosocial factors at work. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at four units in two not-for-profit hospitals in southwestern Sweden. The study sample included 240 employees. Results: Significant correlations were found between LMX items and most of the psychosocial domains and dimensions. The strongest correlations were found between the LMX item affect and rewards/recognition, role clarity and predictability, and the LMX item loyalty and rewards/recognition. In sum, high-quality LMX was associated with good psychosocial work conditions experienced by the employees. Conclusions: The results support possible ways for managers and employees to strengthen their relationships and this may in turn lead to more sustainable systems in health care.
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| 5. |
- Linell, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of breathing variables on modelled particle lung deposition at physical activity for children and adults
- 2024
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Ingår i: Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media B.V.. - 1873-9318 .- 1873-9326. ; 17:4, s. 843-856
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The respiratory tract deposited fraction (DF) is the link between exposure and health effects of airborne particles. Here, we investigate how breathing pattern alterations at increasing physical activity affect DF in different regions of the respiratory tract and compare DF between adults and children (5 and 10 years old). We performed a literature review on the alteration of tidal volume with minute ventilation at increasing physical activity and used the results to model the size resolved (0.001–10 µm) DF, primarily using the deposition models from NCRP and Yeh and Schum (1980), but also MPPD. We found a shift in the deposited size distribution with increasing physical activity—DF of ultrafine particles increased in the alveolar region and decreased in the other regions, while DF of coarser particles decreased in the alveolar region and increased in the extra-thoracic region. Children had a 10–20% higher DF of ultrafine particles in the alveolar region compared to adults. We also present parametrizations of the daily average size resolved (0.005–5 µm) DF, accounting for varying physical activity throughout the day and oral/nasal breathing. These can be applied to any size distribution to estimate deposited doses. We found that deposited mass and number doses were more than twice as high for 5-year-olds compared to adults when normalized for body weight, primarily caused by their higher weight normalized minute ventilation. This demonstrates the importance of studying children’s exposure to air pollution and not only rely on data from adults.
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| 6. |
- Bergman, Åke, et al.
(författare)
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Science and policy on endocrine disrupters must not be mixed : a reply to a "common sense" intervention by toxicology journal editors
- 2013
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Ingår i: Environmental Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-069X. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The "common sense" intervention by toxicology journal editors regarding proposed European Union endocrine disrupter regulations ignores scientific evidence and well-established principles of chemical risk assessment. In this commentary, endocrine disrupter experts express their concerns about a recently published, and is in our considered opinion inaccurate and factually incorrect, editorial that has appeared in several journals in toxicology. Some of the shortcomings of the editorial are discussed in detail. We call for a better founded scientific debate which may help to overcome a polarisation of views detrimental to reaching a consensus about scientific foundations for endocrine disrupter regulation in the EU.
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| 7. |
- Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
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The SELMA study : a birth cohort study in Sweden following more than 2000 mother-child pairs
- 2012
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Ingår i: Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. - Hoboken, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0269-5022 .- 1365-3016. ; 26:5, s. 456-467
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This paper describes the background, aim and study design for the Swedish SELMA study that aimed to investigate the importance of early life exposure during pregnancy and infancy to environmental factors with a major focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals for multiple chronic diseases/disorders in offspring.Methods: The cohort was established by recruiting women in the 10th week of pregnancy. Blood and urine from the pregnant women and the child and air and dust from home environment from pregnancy and infancy period have been collected. Questionnaires were used to collect information on life styles, socio-economic status, living conditions, diet and medical history.Results: Of the 8394 reported pregnant women, 6658 were invited to participate in the study. Among the invited women, 2582 (39%) agreed to participate. Of the 4076 (61%) non-participants, 2091 women were invited to a non-respondent questionnaire in order to examine possible selection bias. We found a self-selection bias in the established cohort when compared with the non-participant group, e.g. participating families did smoke less (14% vs. 19%), had more frequent asthma and allergy symptoms in the family (58% vs. 38%), as well as higher education among the mothers (51% vs. 36%) and more often lived in single-family houses (67% vs. 60%).Conclusions: These findings indicate that the participating families do not fully represent the study population and thus, the exposure in this population. However, there is no obvious reason that this selection bias will have an impact on identification of environmental risk factors.
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| 8. |
- Jarebrant, Caroline, et al.
(författare)
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ErgoVSM: A Tool for Integrating Value Stream Mapping and Ergonomics in Manufacturing
- 2016
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Ingår i: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries. - : Wiley. - 1090-8471 .- 1520-6564. ; 26:2, s. 191-204
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Value stream mapping (VSM) is a Lean tool aiming at waste reduction. Previous research suggests that the use of VSM may result in work intensification and thus an increased risk for the workers of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In the current study, VSM was developed to also consider physical exposure in the analyzed production system (ErgoVSM). As the VSM, ErgoVSM is based on a participatory approach. ErgoVSM was tested in a Swedish manufacturing company. The results suggest that ErgoVSM catalyzes change processes to include intervention proposals emphasizing ergonomics in addition to waste reduction. Thus, ErgoVSM appeared useful for the investigated target group of production engineers and experienced operators. The performance improvements suggested when using the ordinary VSM seemed not to be hampered by adding the ergonomics complement. However, the use of ErgoVSM was somewhat more time-consuming than the use of VSM. In conclusion, ErgoVSM is suggested as a feasible tool to be used by production engineers and experienced operators for including ergonomics considerations in the rationalization process.
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| 9. |
- Johansson Hanse, Jan, 1954, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of servant leadership dimensions on leader–member exchange among health care professionals
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Nursing Management. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0966-0429 .- 1365-2834. ; 24:2, s. 228-234
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of servant leadership dimensions on leader–member exchange (LMX) among health-care professionals. Background: Leadership support and the quality of the dyadic relationship between the leader and the employee are essential regarding the work environment and turnover intentions in health care. Method: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was undertaken at four hospital units in Sweden. The study sample included 240 employees. Results: Significant bivariate correlations were found between all servant leadership dimensions and LMX. The strongest correlations were found between ‘humility’ and LMX (r = 0.69, P < 0.001), and ‘empowerment’ and LMX (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). The hierarchical regression analyses indicated that ‘empowerment’, ‘humility’ and ‘stewardship’ explained about 55% of the variance in LMX. Conclusion: In our study servant leadership dimensions were strongly related to LMX. Implications for nursing management: The results identify specific servant leadership dimensions that are likely to be useful for developing a stronger exchange relationship between the leader (e.g. nursing manager) and individual subordinates in health care.
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| 10. |
- Kihlstedt, Annika, et al.
(författare)
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Checkout cashier work and counter design : Video movement analysis, musculoskeletal disorders and customer interaction
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-8141 .- 1872-8219. ; 41:3, s. 201-207
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study was conducted in order to analyse checkout cashiers' movements at a checkout counter during interaction with customers and the prevalence of work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders in checkout cashiers. In one shop, six cashiers were videotaped during the workday, and 50 cashiers from seven shops from the same chain of stores responded a questionnaire. Cashier activities and movements, customer interaction and counter design issues were analysed from the video data. Prevalence of work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders was obtained from the questionnaire. It was found that 76% of all items were manually turned or angled. With a better adjustment of the scanner and a standardised positioning of the EAN-code, many of these movements could be avoided. Furthermore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was quite high (68% for the neck). The questionnaire results showed that many cashiers experienced stress, giving a high percentage of cashiers in the "dedication under pressure" group. The behaviour of the customers was the major cause of stress. Other sources of stress arose from bad design or function of the computer system or other technical equipment. Relevance to industry: In this study several problems regarding cashier work were identified and solutions, relevant to counter and package designers, shop managers and cashiers are suggested. Data obtained on cashier movements and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders are given.
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