Specific occupational groups
Tuesday 7 October 2025, 11.00 – 12.30 Fluor
Chairs: Marissa Baker, Henrik Kolstad
Exploring gendered effects of workplace social support on mental health and wellbeing of police parents in the UK
Evangelia Demou (presenter)
Mahnoz Illias; Kathleen Riach ; Ioannis Basinas ; Jessica Miller ; Brendan Burchell
Abstract
Objective: Women in policing face higher risks of poor mental health and wellbeing than their male counterparts. The role of workplace social support (WSS), a protective factor for mental health and wellbeing remains understudied in relation to gender and parenthood in policing. Therefore, our study investigates gender differences in the relationship between WSS and mental health and wellbeing outcomes among police professionals. We assessed how parenthood moderates these relationships considering potential differences between mothers and fathers.
Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the UK-based “The Job & The Life” survey comprising of data from 5,940 police officers and staff who are parents. Participants were categorised based on gender and WSS level (Good vs. Poor). Mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression) and wellbeing outcomes (overall wellbeing, work-life balance, and sleep disturbances) were examined using hierarchical logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational covariates. We conducted standard diagnostic tests to assess multicollinearity, model fit, and potential endogeneity.
Results: Poor WSS was consistently associated with worse mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all participants. Mothers exhibited higher odds of anxiety (1.58, 1.37-1.83), depression (1.11, 0.95-1.30), and sleep disturbances (1.15, 0.99-1.33) even when receiving Good WSS compared to fathers with Good WSS. Mothers reported better work-life balance than fathers irrespective of WSS levels (Poor: 1.08, 0.92- 1.27; Good: 1.68, 1.45-1.95). However, mothers with Good WSS still had significantly poorer overall wellbeing (0.95, 0.82-1.09) compared to fathers with similar support levels.
Conclusion: Despite being a critical factor in mitigating adverse mental health and wellbeing outcomes in policing, the protective benefits of WSS appear to be less effective for mothers compared to fathers. The findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive interventions and policies that support the wellbeing of police mothers to improve workforce equity and sustainability.
From migrant labor to dialysis dependency: A cross-sectional study in dialysis centers in Nepal
David Jonsson (presenter)
David Jonsson , Kristina Jakobsson , Nisha Rana , Sweta Koirala , Pratibha Bhandari , Yiyi Xu
Abstract
Migrant workers from countries like Nepal are increasingly employed in physically demanding jobs under extreme environmental conditions, including high heat exposure, which is believed to contribute to kidney injury and disease progression. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) of unknown etiology has emerged among young male workers in similar climates globally. Given Nepal’s heavy reliance on labor migration, it is crucial to explore associations between migration and earlier or more rapid onset of kidney disease. This study aims to assess if early onset of dialysis is associated with labor migration. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 683 patients receiving regular hemodialysis across four public dialysis centers in Kathmandu and Chitwan, Nepal. Participants completed structured interviews collecting data on migration history, comorbidities, and dialysis trajectory. Patients were grouped according to migration history and migration destination (Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India, Malaysia, Other). Outcomes included age at dialysis initiation and latency between return and dialysis start. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied, adjusting for sex, diabetes history, age, and region. Of the included patients, 25% had a history of labor migration. Migrants were predominantly male (87%) and started dialysis at a younger median age (41 vs. 51 years). Compared to non-migrants, migration history was associated with higher odds of starting dialysis before age 40 (adjusted OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.47–3.35). Particularly migrants of GCC countries and Malaysia had significantly elevated odds. Notably, migrants diagnosed abroad were younger at diagnosis and dialysis start than those diagnosed in Nepal. These findings suggest that working abroad contributes to earlier onset of end-stage kidney disease. Further investigation into occupational exposures is needed to clarify causal pathways. Targeted prevention strategies and improved health surveillance for returning migrant workers are crucial to mitigate future disease burden.
Mental health status, knowledge, and barriers to care seeking among female tea plantation workers: A comparative study of local and migrant populations
Merlyn Joseph (presenter)
Bobby Joseph, Denis Xavier, Maria Ekstrand
Abstract
Women constitute the majority of the workforce in the tea plantation industry and face distinct occupational and social challenges affecting their mental health. Objective: This study evaluates the mental health status, mental health literacy and barriers to seeking mental health care between local and migrant women workers in selected tea plantations across South India. Material and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 257 female tea plantation workers (179 (69.6%) local workers, 78 (30.4%) migrant workers. Data included socio-demographic details, mental health literacy, barriers to accessing care and mental health outcomes were assessed using tools for depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and alcohol use disorder (AUDIT). Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and mental health outcomes. Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi-square tests were employed for between-group comparisons, while Binary logistic regression models identified factors associated with depression and anxiety. Results Local women were older (median age 43 years vs. 32 years, p4) was identified in 19.2% of local and 18.2% of migrant women (p=0.91), while anxiety (GAD>4) prevalence was 18.5% among locals and 27.3% among migrants (p=0.41). The barriers to seeking mental healthcare were: illness related knowledge barriers, access barriers and attitudinal barriers. Female workers, unmarried workers and those living alone in the plantations reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9 in binomial logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Female tea plantation workers experience significant mental health concerns, particularly depression and anxiety, compounded by low mental health literacy and substantial access barriers. The involvement of non-specialist healthcare providers, through task shifting and training of community members is a viable solution to the shortage of mental health professionals at the plantations. Gender-sensitive mental health interventions addressing these challenges are urgently needed to support this underserved population.
Non-malignant kidney diseases in Danish firefighters
Julie Elbæk Pedersen (presenter)
Kajsa Ugelvig Petersen; Maria Helena Guerra Andersen; Anne Thoustrup Saber; Ulla Vogel, PhD ; Niels E Ebbehøj; Jens Peter Bonde; Tina Kold Jensen; Regitze Sølling Wils; Johnni Hansen
Abstract
Objectives: Firefighters are exposed to various chemical and physical hazards, including physically demanding tasks performed in high-temperature environments. These exposures may elevate the risk of developing kidney diseases. However, current evidence supporting this link is limited. This study aimed to examine the association between firefighting and the occurrence of non-malignant kidney diseases.
Methods: A cohort of 10,094 male Danish firefighters was analyzed. Data on kidney diseases diagnoses from 1994 to 2014 were obtained from the nationwide Danish National Patient Registry. Morbidity among firefighters was compared to that of a reference sample from the general male employed population. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate relative risks.
Results: For full-time firefighters, a positive association was observed for urolithiasis (SIR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.13–1.63). Short-term employment (<5 years) was associated with elevated risks of glomerulonephritis and chronic kidney disease, whereas longer-term employment (≥5 years) showed a reduced risk for most non-malignant kidney outcomes, except urolithiasis, which remained consistently elevated. In contrast, part-time and volunteer firefighters generally exhibited lower risk estimates for the kidney diseases assessed.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest increased risks of specific non-malignant kidney diseases among full-time firefighters, particularly urolithiasis. These results may underscore the importance of maintaining adequate hydration, especially in the context of extreme heat exposure experienced during firefighting activities. Further studies on non-malignant kidney diseases are warranted to explore eventual occupational hazards in this profession.
The respiratory protection programs in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry: Insights, challenges, and pathways to improvement
Suraiya Mansur Mohammed (presenter)
Martie van Tongeren, Andrew Povey, Michael Slater
Abstract
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry comprises over 100 operational companies, including multinational corporations, indigenous firms, and service providers across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Workers employed in this sector may face significant respiratory hazards, necessitating robust Respiratory Protection Programs (RPPs) to safeguard their health and safety. This study aims to evaluate RPPs in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, identifying existing gaps, barriers, and facilitators to behavioural change, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations for improvement. Using the COM-B model as a theoretical foundation, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with Industrial Hygienists alongside quantitative surveys targeting Industrial Hygienists, Health and Safety Officers, as well as workers potentially exposed to airborne hazards to evaluate RPP implementation within the framework of the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (US OSHA) respiratory protection standard. Preliminary findings from the qualitative study highlight differences in RPP implementation, training programmes, quality of fit-testing, RPE access, and compliance monitoring. Results suggest that the quality of the RPP may be low in some of the companies. These findings align with existing literature emphasizing weak regulatory enforcement and resource constraints. Addressing these challenges is critical to improving RPP effectiveness. Future work includes completing qualitative and quantitative analyses to develop actionable recommendations for enhancing respiratory protection as well as worker health and safety in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Urinary chemical burdens and potential health risks among electronic-waste recycling workers in Hong Kong
Lap Ah Tse (presenter)
Gengze Liao; Xueqiong Weng; Feng Wang; Yanny Hoi Kuen Yu; Victoria H. Arrandale; Alan Hoi-shou Chan; Shaoyou Lu.
Abstract
Introduction: Electronic-waste (e-waste) workers are potentially exposed to Organophosphate esters (OPEs), heavy metals and other chemicals such as, bisphenol A, PFAS, PAH, etc. Nevertheless, no study has evaluated these chemical exposure levels and the related health risks among e-waste workers in Hong Kong.
Objectives: This study aims to assess the urinary chemical levels and their potential health risks among e-waste workers.
Methods: 201 first-spot morning urine samples were collected from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers to compare eight urinary OPE metabolites (mOPEs) levels and 21 metals in these groups. Urinary concentration of the oxidative DNA damage marker (8-OHdG) was tested. Spearman’s correlation was used to evaluate the associations between mOPEs (metals components). The associations between individual mOPEs (metals) and 8-OHdG were determined by general linear regression, quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).
Results: The concentrations of six mOPEs were similar in e-waste workers and office workers, except for significantly higher levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in e-waste workers and bis(1-chloro-2propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) in office workers. Spearman correlation analysis showed that most non-chlorinated mOPEs were correlated with each other in e-waste workers, indicating that handling e-waste could be the exposure source of specific OPEs. The median values of estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) suggested that the health risks from OPEs exposures were under the recommended thresholds. However, linear regression models, Quantile g‑computation, and Bayesian kernel machine regression found that urinary mOPEs elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) levels individually or as a mixture, in which DPHP contributed prominently.
Conclusion: although e-waste might not elevate the internal OPEs levels among the participating Hong Kong e-waste workers, attention should be paid to the potential DNA damage stimulated by OPEs under the currently recommended thresholds. (Funding: GRF/RGC 14604020), CUHK Ref.:E.C./2017/006, and SSFCRS Ref.:TL/SSFCRS2223/0953/ 23ww.)