Military personnel require a high level of physical and mental capability to handle challenging situations, execute precise actions, and fulfill administrative duties. The substantial physical and mental workload they bear can impact their work ability, potentially hindering their ability to perform optimally. Thus, assessing work ability among military personnel is essential. This study evaluates work ability based on the Work Ability Index (WAI) and examines how age and sex influence work ability scores. This study was conducted at the Semarang Military Base between December 2024 and January 2025 using a cross-sectional design with an analytical observational approach. Semarang Military Base is a service-oriented military unit responsible for providing administrative and logistical support to the elements of the Indonesian Navy. The study population comprised 114 personnel who were actively working at the base. A proportionate stratified sampling method was used to determine the sample, resulting in 90 respondents, consisting of 25 officers and 65 non-commissioned officers. Due to time constraints, data collection was carried out using accidental sampling, whereby personnel present at the base during the data collection period were selected as respondents. The study assessed WAI as the dependent variable, while age and sex served as independent variables. Quantitative methods were employed for data analysis. The findings indicate that most military personnel at Semarang Military Base exhibit good work ability (high WAI scores). A negative correlation was found between WAI and age, indicating that work ability declines as personnel age (r = −0.320; p = 0.002; α = 0.05). However, no significant relationship was observed between WAI and sex (p = 0.264). Among the seven WAI components, five significantly contributed to the final score, with the second component (work ability relative to job demands) being the most influential. These results highlight that the majority of personnel maintain a strong work ability score, emphasizing the importance of continued evaluation and intervention to sustain their performance.

Accurate real-time dust monitoring methods are essential in workplaces where exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) presents serious health risks. While real-time monitors are increasingly adopted due to their ability to quickly detect dust-generating activities, concerns remain regarding their accuracy compared to conventional gravimetric methods. This pilot study evaluated the performance of three real-time personal dust monitors: the SidePak™ AM520, Trolex XD1+, and Nanozen DustCount 9000, against a gravimetric reference in both field settings (South Australian quarries) and controlled laboratory environments. Pairwise comparisons of respirable dust (RD) concentrations were conducted across full work shifts. Geometric means from the real-time monitors were regressed against corresponding gravimetric measurements to derive correction coefficients, which were then used to estimate RCS exposure. Agreement between estimated and measured RCS values was assessed using Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC). Field results revealed inconsistent accuracy for the SidePak™ and Nanozen monitors, with performance varying by task. For example, the SidePak™ overestimated RD by 51% for a truck driver but underestimated levels by up to 48% for other roles. The Trolex XD1+ consistently underestimated RD by 80-89%. All monitors underestimated dust levels under laboratory conditions. However, applying correction coefficients improved agreement with gravimetric data, yielding a high concordance for RCS estimates (Lin’s CCC = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.66-0.97). These findings highlight both the utility and limitations of real-time monitors. Site-specific calibration is essential to enhance their reliability, and further studies with larger datasets are recommended to refine correction factors and improve accuracy of real-time dust monitors.

Access to mental health in India is limited due to a shortage of professionals, societal stigma, and social inequities. Female workers in the manufacturing industry might be particularly affected. The provision of workplace mental health services through trained professionals may not always be feasible. Hence, we aimed to train selected factory employees on informal counseling services. We collected the initial case histories handled by trained workplace’s informal counsellors among the predominantly female workforce of 4 garment manufacturing plants in South India. A thematic analysis addressed how the workers accessed these services. Workers utilised the ‘informal counsellors’ services. The main issues were marital problems, workplace issues, and interpersonal issues leading to stress and anxiety. Even though the workers were initially hesitant, they opened up to the counsellors who were equipped with skills such as active listening, a non-judgmental attitude, and empathy. Challenges encountered included addressing stigma, balancing mental health services alongside production, and the dilemma about whether to intervene or not. Family, social, and occupational stress factors can disrupt workers’ mental well-being, which in turn affects productivity at work and Society as a whole. The female workforce is particularly vulnerable to these issues. Training informal workplace counsellors to address stress and mental health issues among colleagues could be beneficial for workers and employers alike.

Background. Lung cancer remains the foremost cause of cancer mortality among US women, with a notable proportion arising in never-smokers. While occupational exposures contribute to lung cancer risk, women have been underrepresented in occupational studies. Therefore, we examined the relationship between occupational titles and lung cancer incidence in women, stratified by smoking exposure. Methods. Postmenopausal women (N = 93,676) entered the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study prospective cohort beginning in 1993. Participants reported their three longest-held paid jobs at the study baseline and women were followed for health outcomes. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lung cancer incidence in association with ever working in a given occupation, as well as by employment duration (<10 years, ≥10 years), with adjustment for smoking, demographics, and lifestyle factors. Effect modification by smoking status was assessed in stratified models. Results. Higher lung cancer risks were observed among women employed in management, sales, food service, and personal care occupations, as well as for several less common occupations, including life sciences, museum-related technical roles, and farming, construction, and production jobs. For example, ever working as Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians was associated with higher risk (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.22-5.32), as was employment in Farming, Fishing, and Forestry occupations (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.11-3.55), compared to women who never worked in those jobs. Longer-duration employment (≥10 years) as Life Scientists was also associated with elevated risk (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.19-4.49). Most associations did not differ significantly by smoking, or were stronger among never-smokers than smokers, suggesting potential occupational risks independent of smoking. Conclusions. Occupational factors may increase women’s lung cancer risk beyond smoking, necessitating targeted prevention and future research.