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Health Effects of Underground Workspaces cohort: study design and baseline characteristics

Dunleavy, Gerard; Bajpai, Ram; Yap, Hui Shan; Roberts, Adam C.; Quoc, TT; Tonon, Andre Comiran; Christopoulos, Georgios; Soh, C-K; Cheung, Kei Long; de Vries, Hein; Sathish, Thirunavukkarasu; Nazeha, Nuraini; Soljak, Michael; Visvalingam, Nanthini; Car, Josip

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Authors

Gerard Dunleavy

Hui Shan Yap

Adam C. Roberts

TT Quoc

Andre Comiran Tonon

Georgios Christopoulos

C-K Soh

Kei Long Cheung

Hein de Vries

Thirunavukkarasu Sathish

Nuraini Nazeha

Michael Soljak

Nanthini Visvalingam

Josip Car



Abstract

The development of underground workspaces is a strategic effort towards healthy urban growth in ever-increasing land-scarce cities. Despite the growth in underground workspaces, there is limited information regarding the impact of this environment on worker’s health. The Health Effects of Underground Workspaces (HEUW) study is a cohort study which was set up to examine the health effects of working in underground workspaces. In this paper, we describe the rationale for the study, study design, data collection and baseline characteristics of participants. The HEUW study recruited 464 participants at baseline, of which 424 (91.4%) were followed-up at three months, and 334 (72.0%) after 12 months from baseline. We used standardized and validated questionnaires to collect information on socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, medical history, family history of chronic diseases, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, chronotype, psychological distress, occupational factors, and comfort levels with indoor environmental quality parameters. Clinical and anthropometric parameters including blood pressure, spirometry, height, weight, waist and hip circumference were also measured. Biochemical tests of participant’s blood and urine samples were conducted to measure glucose, lipids and melatonin levels. We also conducted objective measurements of an individual’s workplace environment, assessing air quality, light intensity, temperature, thermal comfort, bacterial and fungal counts. Findings from this study will help to identify modifiable lifestyle and environmental parameters that are negatively affecting worker’s health. The findings may be used to guide the development of more health-promoting workspaces that attempt to negate any potential negative health effects from working in underground workspaces.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 5, 2019
Online Publication Date Aug 16, 2019
Publication Date Aug 16, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH
Print ISSN 2092-7193
Publisher Korean Society of Epidemiology
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 41
Article Number ARTN e2019025
DOI https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2019025
Keywords Workplace ; Environmental health; Cohort Studies
Publisher URL https://www.e-epih.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.4178/epih.e2019025