A cross-sectional study of infection control measures against COVID-19 and psychological distress among Japanese workers

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the relationship between the status of infection control efforts against COVID‐19 in the workplace and workers' mental health using a large‐scale Internet‐based study. Methods This cross‐sectional study was based on an Internet monitoring survey conducted during the third wave of the COVID‐19 epidemic in Japan. Of the 33 302 people who participated in the survey, 27 036 were included in the analyses. Participants answered whether or not each of 10 different infection control measures was in place at their workplace (eg, wearing masks at all times during working hours). A Kessler 6 (K6) score of ≥13 was defined as mild psychological distress. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with infection control measures at the workplace were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefectures of residence. Results The OR of subjects working at facilities with 4 or 5 infection control measures for psychological distress was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05‐1.34, P = .010), that in facilities with 2 or 3 infection control measures was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.25‐1.64, P < .001), and that in facilities with 1 or no infection control measures was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.63‐2.14, P < .001) compared to subjects whose workplaces had ≥6 infection control measures. Conclusion Our findings suggest that proactive COVID‐19 infection control measures can influence the mental health of workers.

Association between Long Working Hours and Psychological Distress: The Effect Modification by Request to Stay Home When Sick in the Workplace during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Moreover, an absence of RSH was a significant risk factor of psychological distress. Previous studies have described RSH as a particularly important risk factor of deteriorating mental health among workplace infection control measures [ 2 , 3 ], a finding that was replicated in the present study. Therefore, both long working hours and an absence of RSH were revealed to be risk factors of mental health deterioration.…”

“…Workers without RSH had a significantly higher risk of psychological distress due to long working hours than those who worked with RSH. As mentioned earlier, previous studies reported that long working hours [ 7 , 8 ] and RSH [ 2 , 3 ] are important for mental health. Our study extends prior findings by revealing that the absence of RSH in the workplace could result in a stronger association between long working hours and psychological distress.…”

“…Among others, Sasaki et al [ 2 ] reported that “criteria and procedures for waiting at home and clinical contact” significantly increased job performance. Another study reported a similar tendency, which showed that “requesting employees not come to work when they are not feeling well” was highly associated with decreased psychological distress among workplace infection control measures [ 3 ]. Requesting to stay home when sick (i.e., criteria for deciding whether or not employees should come to work when they are unwell: hereinafter referred to as RSH) may be particularly important for mental health as compared with other infection control measures.…”

“…A cross-sectional study reported that several workplace measures result in better psychological distress and job performance [ 2 ]. Another cross-sectional study revealed that companies with few measures had significantly worse mental health compared with those with sufficient measures [ 3 ]. These previous studies included multiple workplace infection measures such as preventive measures taken including those implemented by individuals (e.g., hand washing, wearing masks), preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection at the workplace (e.g., refrain from business trips, restricting outside visitors), and criteria and procedures for waiting at home and clinical contact (e.g., request to refrain from going to work when ill, report request for fever).…”

Workplace Infection Prevention Control Measures and Work Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic among Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…[24][25][26] In addition, we have reported that the more the workplace IPC measures are implemented in a workplace, the lower the psychological distress among workers. 27 Workplace IPC measures may contribute to improved work engagement by decreasing employees' anxiety and mental stress. However, it is unclear whether these IPC measures are effective in reducing the risk of actual COVID-19 infection; another study is needed to clarify this research question.…”