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The application of participatory ergonomic intervention has been broadly used to improve occupational health and safety in various settings due to its effectiveness.
Methods
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to develop and implement the Healthy Unit Guidance (HUG) program, an innovative intervention, to improve work environments and health outcomes among hospital staffs through participatory ergonomics approach. The HUG program consisted of four training workshops (i.e. establish management support; participant’s capacity strengthening; workplace exposure assessment and problem solving; and evaluation work improvement achievements). The study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals in Thailand during May 2010 to June 2011. Of a total 91 participants, nursing staffs from the selected hospital were assigned in an intervention group (n=46), with those from another hospital used as a control group (n=45). The outcomes were measured by self-reported questionnaires at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of the completion of intervention period.
Results
The results of 3-month follow-up showed that physical work environment of the intervention group improved significantly compared with control group (p-value < 0.01). Psychosocial work environment, however, was only found that the aspect of influence of work, social support from supervisor, and social support from colleague among intervention group improved significantly compared with control group (all p-values < 0.05). Considering health outcomes, mean score of work ability increased, musculoskeletal disorders rate and day of sick leave decreased among intervention group but had not different significantly compared with control group.
Discussion
The finding suggested that the HUG program can contribute to improve the work environments whether the follow-up period was short. However, health outcomes among nursing staffs should have been monitored in a long-term period after intervention.