Short communication, Note
Analysis of working conditions and sick absences due to rheumatic diseases
Ž. Maštrović
; Služba za fizikalnu medicinu, rehabilitaciju i reumatologiju, Medicinski centar Zadar, Hrvatska
L. Krapac
; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska
J. Kraljić
; Zdravstvena stanica RO »Vlado Bagat«, Zadar, Hrvatska
Abstract
A random 50 % sample consisting of 465 female workers was selected from two factories with different working conditions, 185 from factory A and 280 from factory B. Data on personal and work histories, social status, physical activity and ambient conditions at the workplace were collected by means of standardized questionnaire. Clinical, laboratory and X-ray examinations were carried out for rheumatic complaints. Personal medical files were consulted to determine the overall rnorbidity and absenteeism attributable to rheumatic diseases in the past five years. In factory A 79.4 % of the women worked in standing posture, in a cold and damp space, whereas in factory B 86.3 % were seated in a dry space while working. Rheumatic complaints were recorded from 93.7 % of factory A workers and from 78.9 % of those in factory B (P < 0.01). In the latter factory there were more workers suffering from degenerative diseases of the neck portion of the spine whereas in the former those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (17.3 : 2.8 %) and out-joint rheumatism (53.5 : 13.2 %) (P < 0.01) were more numerous. Sick leaves because of rheumatic illnesses were recorded for 12.4 % of women in factory A and for 25.5 % of those in factory B. In terms of the number of days of sick leave (64.6 % in A compared to 35.8 % in B) absenteeism due to rheumatic diseases had a significantly higher rate in the factory with poorer working conditions, greater physical demands and unsuitable body postures at work.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
153966
URI
Publication date:
23.12.1986.
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