Workplace Infection Prevention Control Measures and Work Engagement During the COVID-19 Pandemic among Japanese Workers: A Prospective Cohort Study
Abstract
Objectives
It has been widely reported that the COVID-19 pandemic may have a psychological influence on people. Thus, it could be important to note how workplace infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for COVID-19 contribute to positive mental health among workers. We hypothesized that if workplace IPC measures are adequately implemented, they would have a positive effect on employees’ work engagement.
Methods
We conducted an internet-based prospective cohort study from December 2020 (baseline) to December 2021 (follow-up after one year) using self-administered questionnaires. At baseline, 27,036 workers completed the questionnaires, while 18,560 (68.7%) participated in the one-year follow-up. After excluding the 6,578 participants who changed jobs or retired during the survey period, or telecommuted more than four days per week, 11,982 participants were analyzed. We asked participants about the implementation of workplace IPC measures at baseline and conducted a nine-item version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) at follow-up.
Results
Four groups were created according to the number of workplace IPC measures implemented. The mean (SD) UWES-9 score of the “0–2” group was the lowest at 18.3 (13.2), while that of the “8” group was the highest at 22.6 (12.6). The scores of the “3– 5,” “6–7,” and “8” groups were significantly higher than that of the “0–2” group (all, p<0.001). The p trend of the four groups was also significant (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Promoting workplace IPC measures improves workers’ work engagement, and a dose-response relationship exists between workplace IPC measures and work engagement.
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