Determinants of usage of smartphone applications as tools to promote occupational safety and health at workplace
摘要
Smartphone applications (apps) and technology are critical and valuable for employee health, lifestyle modification, and increased productivity. Research and data on apps and technology usage in Egypt are scarce, although the number of mobile phone users is growing tremendously. Classic interventions are often ineffective, so this calls for exploring new approaches for health and well-being at work.
AimThe study aimed to promote workers’ health, safety, and well-being in the workplace.
ObjectivesThe main objectives were to measure the knowledge and attitude of workers about app usage and to assess determinants of app usage designed to improve health, safety, and well-being among workers at the selected workplaces in 10th of Ramadan City, Al-Sharkia governorate, Egypt.
MethodsThe authors conducted a cross-sectional study among 311 employees and workers at two randomly selected factories in the 10th of Ramadan City, Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The authors interviewed employees and workers about sociodemographic characteristics, occupational and medical history, knowledge, and workers’ attitudes about app usage to promote occupational safety and health at the workplace and possible determinants for its usage.
ResultsParticipants who worked for < 10 years as the duration of work (in years) and those who worked for less than 8 h per day were predictors of usage of apps at the workplace. Satisfactory knowledge and positive attitude were significant independent determinants for the usage of apps among our participants.
ConclusionIn resource-limited settings like Egypt, app adoption requires satisfactory knowledge, a positive attitude, and proper training on using apps in the workplace.