Quality of life and musculoskeletal symptoms in hospital housekeeping workers

Abstract

This retrospective descriptive study, using structured validated questionnaires, analyzed 86 hospital housekeeping workers who were exposed to a huge diversity of occupational risks at a public municipal teaching and emergency hospital. The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of life aspects and musculoskeletal symptoms in hospital housekeeping workers. The results found by administering the Nordic Questionnaire confirmed that workers had problems in some part of their bodies. This finding accused musculoskeletal symptoms, mainly involving the following body parts: shoulders, upper back, neck and lower back. The difference between the groups of workers with or without musculoskeletal symptoms pointed out on the Nordic Questionnaire and obtained by applying the generic Quality of Life evaluation questionnaire (SF-36) was significant for the Functional Capacity, Pain, General Health Condition, Vitality and Mental Health domains.