RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Despite the high level of sex segregation of the labour market in Sweden and other countries, there is little knowledge on the association between sex segregation and ill-health. The aim of this study was to study associations between self-reported ill-health among women and men and the level of numerical sex segregation at their work sites and psychosocial work conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 10,000 employed persons in the County of Ostergötland, Sweden. The questionnaire covered the level of numerical sex segregation at the work site, work organisation and conditions, ill-health, and demography. The proportions of individuals at sex-integrated and sex-segregated work sites reporting frequent ill-health symptoms were calculated and compared using Chi-square test statistics. Prevalence's of physical and psychosocial work aspects were calculated. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between sex segregation and other aspects of the work situation and health. RESULTS: Among the men, 69% worked at male-dominated work sites, 16% at female-dominated, and 15% at sex-integrated work sites. Among the women, the equivalent rates were 8%, 75%, and 17%, respectively. Sex segregation was associated with all self-reported ill-health symptoms among the men, also when controlling for possible confounders. Other variables that were associated with self-reported ill-health symptoms were demands at work, negative expectations, and sickness presence. CONCLUSIONS: The present study generates sufficient findings to suggest that the link between sex segregation at work sites and ill-health is an important area that merits further attention.
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Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Ocupaciones , Prejuicio , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Identidad de Género , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Sexuales , Suecia/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To predict sickness absence by three health check-up models. METHODS: A study group of 821 participants from the public sector in Sweden where three health check-up models were compared 1) the limited variable model including smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol, 2) the several variable model including smoking, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, relation between low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins, serum triglycerides, and fitness test, and 3) Self-rated health measured by one single question. Sickness absence data during 1 year was delivered from the employer. RESULTS: The three models served their purpose to predict sickness absence. CONCLUSIONS: The self-rated health-model with one single question has as good quality in predestination as more complicated models. This may have an implication for cost-effective procedures in occupational health services.
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Absentismo , Examen Físico/métodos , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Ausencia por Enfermedad , Adulto , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Aptitud Física , Factores de Riesgo , Fumar , SueciaRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between number of working hours, the level of perceived physical strain, work-home interface and musculoskeletal pain and fatigue among women and men employed in the public sector. Cross-sectional data from 1,180 employees (86% women) in 49 public workplaces in 2002-2003 were analyzed. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as measures of the associations. The analyses showed differences as well as similarities between women and men. Overall the women reported higher levels of perceived physical strain relative to total workload. A high level of physical strain was strongly associated with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Nevertheless, no detrimental effects were observed on health of high total working hours which indicates that a large number of total working hours might be balanced by accompanying multiple roles or many responsibilities and therefore not be generally regarded as risk factors for ill health.
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Fatiga/epidemiología , Indicadores de Salud , Estado de Salud , Calambre Muscular/epidemiología , Carga de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Lugar de Trabajo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Intervalos de Confianza , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Tareas del Hogar/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Distribución por Sexo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia/epidemiología , Mujeres Trabajadoras/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Earlier research has indicated that the psychological demand dimension in one of the most commonly used occupational stress models, the job-demand-control-support model, can be too generic and does not capture the multidimensionality of different job demands within health care work. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a new job demand scale, which captures specific job demands within health care work. Further, to analyse whether a congruent component structure could be obtained in two different occupational groups, namely registered and assistant nurses. The final objective was to analyse the relationship between the new job demand scale and the dimensions in the job-demand-control-support model. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred and ninety five registered nurses and 527 assistant nurses from three hospitals and two primary health care centres in Stockholm, Sweden participated voluntarily in the study DATA AND METHOD: A questionnaire, which collected information on demographics, various job demands, job control and social support, was used in both occupational groups. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, principal component analyses and independent samples t-test were used in the study RESULTS: A congruent component structure was obtained in both occupational samples, consisting of four demand indices "pain and death", "patient and relative needs", "threats and violence" and "professional worries". The four-component solution explained 69.6% and 72.1% of the variance for registered nurses and assistant nurses, respectively. The new job demand indices also showed satisfactory internal consistencies, which ranged from .62 to .91 and had inter-item correlations, which varied from .33 to .84 in both occupational groups. The strongest relationship was shown with the psychological job demand dimension in the job-demand-control-support-model. CONCLUSION: The scale is short and could be used to obtain information concerning different job demands that are related to the interaction with, and care of patients and their relatives as an addition to the more generic psychological demand dimension that is specified in the job-demand-control-support model.
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Sector de Atención de Salud , Perfil Laboral , Psicometría , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , SueciaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to explore the associations between appraised leadership styles, psychosocial work factors and musculoskeletal pain among subordinates in four different public service sectors from an epidemiological perspective. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted; data from 2,403 public sector employees in subordinate positions (86% women) were analysed. The appraised leadership styles were measured through items from a modified version of the CPE questionnaire (C change, P production/structure, E employee/relation). The structure validity of the CPE-model was examined by principal component analysis (PCA). Univariate and multivariate analyses of associations between levels of musculoskeletal pain and appraised leadership styles and with psychosocial work factors were conducted. Odds ratios (ORs) with confidence intervals (CIs) of 95% were used as a measure of associations. RESULTS: There were small variations in the appraisals of the immediate manager among the subordinates. However, the associations between musculoskeletal pain and leadership styles varied according to sector. Poor appraisals (low scores) on "change" and "employee relation" dimensions were associated with high levels of musculoskeletal pain in two sectors: home and health care services. In the domestic catering services, poor appraisals of managers in the "production/structure" dimension had the strongest association with high levels of pain. In general, poor appraisals of the "change" dimension was most strongly associated with high levels of musculoskeletal pain. "High work demands" had the strongest association with high levels of pain, particularly among the men. CONCLUSIONS: Poor appraisals of managers and their leadership styles were associated with high levels of musculoskeletal pain among both female and male subordinates in different public service sectors. There is therefore a great need of further studies of the mechanisms behind the relationships between the leadership styles and their impact on health among the genders.
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Liderazgo , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/fisiopatología , Exposición Profesional , Dolor/epidemiología , Sector Público , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Work-related health has been a focus of research since the rate of sickness-related absences began to increase in Sweden. The incidence of sickness-related absences and early retirement is higher among female immigrants than among others in the total population. This study is based on a questionnaire survey which was conducted in a municipality in Sweden. The study population consisted of 2 429 native and immigrant female employees. The aim was to study work-related health factors for female immigrants. The results of this study show that about 20% of female immigrants who participate in the survey have temporary employment while the proportion is 8% for native women. The perception of ethnic discrimination among female immigrants was three times as much as among native females. The results also show that 69% of female immigrants report having received no opportunity to discuss their wages with managers, in comparison to 63% of native females. About 40% of female immigrants and 35% of native women report that they do not get opportunities to upgrade their skills. Female immigrants over the age of 50 experience gender and ethnic discrimination and lack of access to skills training programs more often than younger immigrants. They also participate in health-care activities more often.
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Emigración e Inmigración , Empleo , Prejuicio , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ausencia por Enfermedad/estadística & datos numéricos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , SueciaRESUMEN
Musculoskeletal disorders constitute a considerable public health problem, often resulting in sickness absence, particularly in public sector employees. Increased knowledge on how this is related to individual and work-related factors is required. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between self-reported musculoskeletal pain and the following factors: physical and psychosocial work conditions, lifestyle, psychosomatic symptoms and sick leave. A comprehensive questionnaire was completed by a total of 2523 people, of which 87% were women and 13% men. The participants were employed in public hospitals, educational institutions, home care services for the elderly and domestic/catering services in a Swedish county. The response rate was 92%. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the high level of self-reported musculoskeletal pain was highly associated with strenuous physical and psychosocial work conditions. The physical factor with the highest odds ratio (OR) was working in a forward-bent position. High work demands was the most prominent psychosocial factor and distinctly associated with musculoskeletal pain among men. Physical work strain and other demanding working conditions, which were associated with musculoskeletal pain, were frequent among employees in home care services for the elderly and domestic/catering services. There was a strong association between long-term sick leave and high musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, there was a strong association between a high level of musculoskeletal pain and the exhibition of psychosomatic symptoms in both women and men; this is an interaction that may intensify the total experience of illness and thus needs to be further investigated.
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Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/fisiopatología , Dolor/epidemiología , Autorrevelación , Lugar de Trabajo , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Sector Público , Suecia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare health and exposures at work and at home of women and men with the same educational background. METHODS: The study group consisted of 3831 individuals, grouped into three educational categories based on length of education. Category 1, which represents 9-year compulsory school; Category 2, which includes 3-year upper secondary school, i.e. in total 12 years of education; and Category 3, which includes post-secondary school, such as university. They responded to a questionnaire that included questions on health and exposures at work and at home. RESULTS: Significant differences were shown in health outcomes between women and men with the same educational background and also in exposures in their professional and private lives. Associations between educational background and health were found and analyses revealed that men with a university education run the lowest risk of developing ill health. CONCLUSION: Women with the same educational background as men are differently exposed, both in paid and unpaid work, due to the segregated labour market and the unequal distribution of domestic duties. Men in all educational categories studied had better health compared to women with the same educational background.
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Indicadores de Salud , Salud Mental , Exposición Profesional , Adulto , Escolaridad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study addresses the relationship between organisational and social factors and burnout in a group of registered and assistant nurses in Sweden. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to analyse the relationship (and the specific relationship patterns) between three different work-related sources of social support and Maslach's three burnout dimensions, while taking the dimensions in the Karasek job-demand-control model, emotional demands, workload outside the work situation and demographic factors into account. DATA AND METHOD: Data was collected using a questionnaire which was based on validated instruments, in accordance with the job-demand-control model and Maslach's Burnout Inventory. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and three hierarchical regression analyses were conducted using a sample of 1561 registered and assistant nurses in Sweden. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant correlations between the three support indicators and all three burnout dimensions. In the regression analyses, co-worker and patient support were statistically significantly related to all three burnout dimensions, whereas supervisor support was only statistically significantly related to emotional exhaustion. In accordance with prior findings, high levels of psychological demands were most strongly related to high emotional exhaustion. Further, high levels of emotional demands showed the strongest correlations with high personal accomplishment.
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Actitud del Personal de Salud , Agotamiento Profesional/psicología , Asistentes de Enfermería/psicología , Personal de Enfermería/psicología , Apoyo Social , Adulto , Anciano , Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , Agotamiento Profesional/prevención & control , Estudios Transversales , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Ambiente de Instituciones de Salud , Humanos , Relaciones Interprofesionales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermeras Administradoras/organización & administración , Enfermeras Administradoras/psicología , Relaciones Enfermero-Paciente , Asistentes de Enfermería/organización & administración , Investigación Metodológica en Enfermería , Personal de Enfermería/organización & administración , Supervisión de Enfermería/organización & administración , Análisis de Regresión , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia/epidemiología , Carga de Trabajo , Lugar de Trabajo/organización & administración , Lugar de Trabajo/psicologíaRESUMEN
This study includes women and men born between 1934 and 1953 in the municipality of Gnosjö in the south of Sweden and covers the period 1998 to 2001. Compared with the country, a large proportion of the population of the municipality of Gnosjö works in the manufacturing industry. The aim was to examine associations between physical and psychological stress factors in and outside work, sickness absence and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, from a gender perspective. Information about working conditions and other aspect of life was collected by a questionnaire in 1998, and register data about sickness absence, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal diseases 1999-2001. The impact on sickness absence consisted mainly of demand and control aspects of the psychosocial working conditions, but also temporary employment and of low sense of coherence. In relation to musculoskeletal health, demand and control was important among women, but not among men. Very few physical factors in the work environment were related to musculoskeletal diseases. Low sense of coherence had an impact also on musculoskeletal diseases. Cardiovascular diseases among women were influenced by demand and control and by life style related factors. We hope that the knowledge gained from our study makes it possible to develop better tools for both the preventive work in Gnosjö and for the rehabilitation of the people already ill. Because of our holistic approach, both public health aspects and working life aspects are covered. The municipality of Gnosjö is small, and therefore foreseeable in a way that many municipalities are not. Still, we do believe that our finding, in this longitudinal study, can be of value also in the public efforts and the efforts to develop adequate and successful rehabilitation approaches.
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Empleo , Estado de Salud , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Actividades Recreativas , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , SueciaRESUMEN
During the last years, harassment experiences have more often than earlier been included in the framework of work stress, thereby being seen more as a result of how the work organisation function rather than being a result of poor characteristics among individuals. The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between sexual harassment, gender discrimination, bullying, conflicts and informal decision structures. The study took place at a large university in the northern part of Sweden, and data was collected by a questionnaire. Lack of equality and conflicts were significantly related to sexual harassment among women, but none of the studied factors to sexual harassment among men. Common among both women and men were that gender discrimination, bullying, conflicts, being negatively affected by informal decision structures, that women are given preferential treatment and lack of information were related to poor health. To summarise, the results in the present study support earlier studies in their conclusions that work organisation is closely related to the occurrence of harassment. This is especially important to point out when planning for interventions against for example sexual harassment, which very often focuses on the harassed individual, rather than the organisation.
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Conflicto Psicológico , Salud Laboral , Poder Psicológico , Prejuicio , Trastornos Psicofisiológicos/etiología , Acoso Sexual/psicología , Adulto , Toma de Decisiones en la Organización , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , SueciaRESUMEN
Musculoskeletal disorders are more common among women than among men. When comparing the difference between men and women in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, methodological problems arise as men and women seldom perform the same type of activities, neither at work nor at home. The main objective of this cross-sectional case study was to compare work technique and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms between men and women performing the same type of work tasks within a metal industry. Other factors, such as leisure activities, were also taken into consideration. Three data collection methods were used; questionnaire, interviews and systematic observations. The results from the observations revealed that women worked more frequently and during longer times with their hands above shoulder height than men. Working with hands above shoulder height is considered a risk factor for neck and shoulder disorders according to previous studies. Workplace design factors were probably a reason for differences in working technique between men and women. A higher proportion of women than men reported shoulder symptoms. Women spent more time on household activities than men, which indicates a higher total workload in paid and unpaid work.
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Enfermedades Musculares/epidemiología , Salud Laboral , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Actividades Recreativas , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Postura , Factores Sexuales , Carga de TrabajoRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to analyze health in relation to unemployment and sick leave among immigrants from a gender perspective. Questionnaire, observations, and group discussions were used for data collection. The study group consisted of 60 unemployed persons with immigrant or refugee background, 30 women and 30 men. Slightly more than half of the participants considered their health to be poor and experienced physical and/or mental disorders. The female participants in comparison to male participants experienced poorer health. The results show that there is a reciprocal influence between health, work, and migration. Immigration may cause poor health, which as a selection effect leads to unemployment and/or sick leave. Immigration may also bring about an inferior position in the labor market, which leads to poor health due to exposure effects. The influence on health is more marked for immigrant women than for immigrant men.
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Actitud Frente a la Salud , Emigración e Inmigración/estadística & datos numéricos , Estado de Salud , Ausencia por Enfermedad/estadística & datos numéricos , Desempleo/estadística & datos numéricos , Adaptación Psicológica , África/etnología , Asia/etnología , Femenino , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Cobertura del Seguro/estadística & datos numéricos , Seguro de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , América Latina/etnología , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Distribución por Sexo , Factores Sexuales , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia/epidemiología , Factores de Tiempo , Desempleo/psicologíaRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The present case-study, which is rather small in number of subjects but has a broad perspective, is part of a larger investigation designed to initiate development processes in working life in one specific region in Sweden. This study may serve as an example of ergonomic fieldwork with a gender perspective. AIM: The overall aim was to examine the physical and psychosocial working conditions among a group of female hot food distributors, and to relate these conditions to other traditionally heavy work within the same working unit, as well as to suggest improvements. METHOD: The study group consisted of ten female municipal employees in a provincial town. Structured interviews about the psychosocial working conditions, measurements of heart rate, ratings of self-reported perceived exertion and observations of one working day were performed. RESULTS: The overall impression from the study was that the food distributors in several aspects had a very difficult working situation that ought to be improved. The food distributors reported high psychological demands and low decision latitude, time pressure and dissatisfaction with not being able to live up to the pensioners' and the employer's expectations. They also had a high heart rate increase during work, which may be a risk factor for impaired health. Several short-term and long-term solutions were suggested to reduce and redistribute the total workload. DISCUSSION: The employer has attended to some suggested short-term solutions and the follow-up study showed that the working conditions had been improved. A reduction of cardiovascular load, as well as self-rated physical exertion, was noted and the work was perceived as substantially less stressful.
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Ergonomía , Embalaje de Alimentos , Salud Laboral , Mujeres Trabajadoras , Sistema Cardiovascular , Femenino , Frecuencia Cardíaca , Humanos , Gobierno Local , Esfuerzo Físico , Apoyo Social , Estrés Psicológico , Suecia , Carga de Trabajo , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Lugar de Trabajo/normasRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to examine categories of causal attributions assessed by women and men regarding common somatic symptoms. A questionnaire was sent out to a randomly selected sample of 1,500 persons followed by a screening of respondents with symptom experience. To identify groups of individuals considering different causes or causal categories as important, separate cluster analyses were made of ratings for neck/shoulder problems and sore/upset stomach. The results showed similarities between assessed causal categories for the two types of symptoms and that women in this sample were overrepresented, particularly in considering psychological explanations for their symptoms, whereas the men were overrepresented in not considering any of the causes as particularly important. This was discussed in terms of illness severity and an association between psychological and somatic distress in people's experience, such as stress and total workload, and in their subsequent explanatory models suggesting differences in beliefs about a connection between body and mind.
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Dolor de Cuello/etiología , Dolor de Hombro/etiología , Adulto , Análisis por Conglomerados , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dolor de Cuello/psicología , Dolor de Hombro/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Suecia , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The overall aim was to examine how working conditions in 1993 influenced the occurrence of poor mental health in 1997 among women and men from the general population. Also, the relative importance of other living conditions in relation to poor mental health in 1997 was examined. METHODS: A sample from the general Swedish population (originally examined in 1969) was followed up in 1993 and 1997. Data from these follow-ups were analysed, and both bivariate and multivariate analyses of associations between occupational and non-occupational conditions in 1993 and poor mental health in 1997 -- defined as sub-clinical depression, reduced psychological well-being and high alcohol consumption -- were performed. RESULTS: Several occupational risk indicators were identified for poor mental health among women, especially sub-clinical depression and high alcohol consumption. Occupational factors such as shift work, job strain, no education at the employer's expense, low occupational pride, low stimulation at work and poor social support were related to poor mental health among women. For poor mental health among men, mainly sub-clinical depression, shift work and low occupational pride were identified as risk indicators. Non-occupational factors related to poor mental health among women were poor quality of social contacts, demanding life events, physical inactivity, high perceived physical load outside work and inadequate coping strategies. Among men, smoking and inadequate coping strategies were related to poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The difference between women and men, regarding the numbers of identified occupational and non-occupational risk indicators, may partly be explained by the gender-segregated labour market, and partly by other explanations. In our study, we have not succeeded in collecting the relevant information about occupational conditions that is important for men's mental health.