RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: We propose a new theoretical model that integrates health interventions targeting multiple health behaviors around a common framework of enhancing life functioning. We then test an enhanced life functioning message against an enhanced physical health message in increasing participants' perceived importance of engaging in multiple health behaviors. METHODS: 94 undergraduate participants were exposed to either an enhanced life functioning message or an enhanced physical health message and then completed measures of health behavior importance and benefits associated with enhanced life functioning importance in the spring of 2008 at Rutgers University. RESULTS: Results indicate the efficacy of an enhanced life functioning message in increasing participants' perceived importance of engaging in multiple health behaviors. Moreover, the effect of an enhanced life functioning message on perceived health behavior importance is mediated by perceived importance of the benefits associated with enhanced life functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Emphasizing enhanced life functioning as an outcome of engaging in multiple health behaviors increases the perceived importance of performing multiple health behaviors, which may influence the performance of multiple health behaviors.
Asunto(s)
Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Promoción de la Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Análisis de Varianza , Femenino , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Estado de Salud , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Teóricos , New Jersey , Análisis de Regresión , Factores de Tiempo , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To assess if organizational factors are predictors of workers' health and productivity after the World Trade Center attacks. METHODS: We conducted a survey of 750 workers and compared those who had direct exposures to the World Trade Center attacks (south of Canal Street workers; primary victims) with those less directly exposed (north of Canal Street workers; other victims and non-victims). RESULTS: South of Canal Street workers reported headache more frequently than north of Canal Street workers did (P = 0.0202). Primary victims reported headache and cough more frequently than did other victims and non-victims (P = 0.0086 and 0.0043, respectively). Defensive organizational culture was an independent predictor of cough and job stress, and job stress was an independent predictor of on-the-job productivity losses. CONCLUSION: Organizational variables may modify health and productivity outcomes after a large-scale traumatic event in the workplace.
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Estado de Salud , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Ataques Terroristas del 11 de Septiembre/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Adulto , Eficiencia , Femenino , Cefalea/psicología , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos Mentales/etiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ciudad de Nueva York/epidemiología , Salud Laboral , Cultura Organizacional , Proyectos Piloto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Smoking restrictions provide opportunities to modify smoking behavior. A large insurance company implemented a smoke-free grounds policy at two of their office complexes in January, 2000. METHODS: This cohort study evaluated the impact of the smoke-free grounds policy on abstinence among 128 employees who participated in a tobacco dependence treatment program. RESULTS: The overall quit rate at 6 months was 44.5%. The larger complex showed a trend for higher quit rates compared to the smaller complex (46.5 vs. 28.6%). Post-ban participants had higher quit rates than pre-ban participants (52.4 vs. 43.0%). The probability of abstinence at 6 months follow-up was higher for post-ban compared to pre-ban participants (P = 0.03). Post-ban participants were 80% less likely to relapse than pre-ban participants. Non-quitters decreased their consumption by 6.6 cigarettes/day (39.1% decrease). CONCLUSIONS: A "smoke-free grounds" policy encourages abstinence and may play a significant role in harm reduction among continuing tobacco users.
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Salud Laboral , Cese del Hábito de Fumar/métodos , Prevención del Hábito de Fumar , Adulto , Anciano , Factores de Confusión Epidemiológicos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , New Jersey , Modelos de Riesgos Proporcionales , Lugar de TrabajoRESUMEN
Smoking markedly increases the risk of asbestos-related lung cancer. We conducted a randomized pilot trial of a telephone-based smoking cessation intervention in asbestos workers. Fifty-nine smokers were assigned to either a control or telephone-based smoking cessation treatment group and were followed-up at 6 months. Intent-to-treat analysis revealed a 16.7% quit rate at 6 months for the intervention group compared to 6.9% for the control group (P = 0.25). Treatment-received quit-rates were 33% for the intervention group and 6.9% for the control group (P = 0.05). The intervention group was twice as likely to use smoking cessation medicines and progressed further along the stage of change continuum compared with the control group. Incorporating telephone-based smoking cessation treatment into medical screening activities for asbestos workers is feasible and the intervention is effective in increasing quit rates at 6 months.
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Amianto , Neoplasias Pulmonares/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Cese del Hábito de Fumar , Fumar/efectos adversos , Adulto , Anciano , Recolección de Datos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Proyectos Piloto , Prevención del Hábito de Fumar , TeléfonoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Asbestos exposure and concomitant cigarette smoking markedly increase the risk of lung cancer and contribute to the prevalence and severity of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 214 asbestos workers was initiated to determine the prevalence of smoking and their readiness to quit smoking using the stage of change theory. RESULTS: The study was comprised of 61 never smokers (28.5%), 118 ex-smokers (55.1%), and 35 current smokers (16.4%). Reasons for smoking cessation in ex-smokers included perception of ill-health (51%) and knowledge of smoking-asbestos hazards (3.4%). Stage of change of current smokers revealed: precontemplation (26.5%), contemplation (35%), preparation (29%), and action (8.8%). Current smokers had the highest prevalence of small airway obstruction on spirometry. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed smoking history during medical surveillance activities will enable the occupational physician to identify asbestos workers who have difficulty quitting and to develop a system in which such individuals can be referred to comprehensive smoking cessation programs.
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Asbestosis/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Cese del Hábito de Fumar/psicología , Fumar/epidemiología , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Análisis de Varianza , Asbestosis/complicaciones , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Fumar/efectos adversos , Prevención del Hábito de Fumar , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death, has numerous adverse impacts in the workplace. It is associated with increased healthcare costs and disability, greater absenteeism, decrements in job performance, and increased risk of injury, and secondhand smoke is a major pollution problem. Tobacco dependence responds to treatment, and employers have several opportunities to offer treatment to employees and their families. Smoke-free environments can help smokers cut back or quit. Combining sound workplace policies and treatment with community involvement in tobacco control provides synergies to reduce tobacco use in the community as well as in the workforce. These activities benefit workers and their families, employers, and society at large.