History of work-related health problems in a population-based sample of women: An exploratory factor analysis

BACKGROUND: Beyond the health-enhancing effects, work also has the potential of causing or worsening different health conditions in the same individual. However, research on within-worker aggregation of work-related health problems is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe the history and aggregation of wor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Work (Reading, Mass.) Mass.), 2021-01, Vol.68 (3), p.563-576
Main Authors: Amaro, Joana, Ubalde-López, Mònica, Lucas, Raquel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents
Agglomeration
Factor analysis
Health problems
Mental disorders
Mental health
Occupational accidents
Occupational safety
Public sector
Respiratory diseases
Smoking
Socioeconomic factors
Socioeconomics
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Beyond the health-enhancing effects, work also has the potential of causing or worsening different health conditions in the same individual. However, research on within-worker aggregation of work-related health problems is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To describe the history and aggregation of work-related health problems in a population-based sample of women. METHODS: A total of 4330 women were asked whether they had ever had “a physical or mental health problem that was caused or made worse by your work”. The aggregation of work-related health problems was assessed using an exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Five groups were identified. Factor 1 included all items on musculoskeletal disorders - lower socioeconomic position, higher BMI, smokers and history of occupational accidents. Factor 2 included mental disorders together with headache and/or eyestrain - higher socioeconomic position. Factor 3 included the other disorders item with some loading from digestive disorders - older and public sector workers. Factor 4 included respiratory disorders - lower socioeconomic position and history of occupational accidents. Factor 5 included hearing and ear problems - blue-collar workers. CONCLUSION: There was a relevant aggregation of work-related health problems, which may inform the selection of specific components for interventions that aim to improve women’s work-related health.
ISSN:1051-9815
1875-9270
DOI:10.3233/WOR-203394