COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE PREVALENCE OF MUSCULAR SYMPTOMS AND PSYCHOSOCIAL COMPLAINTS IN WORKERS AT A MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL AND A FEDERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare workers are typically exposed to a heavy workload. In hospital settings, workers provide daily, continuous, and sometimes uninterrupted care. Depending on their role, department, and work organization, they may be subjected to factors that can lead to physical and/or mental fatigue, stress, and occupational illnesses. Objectives: To compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial complaints among workers at a municipal hospital and a federal hospital, as well as to compare the level of physical activity between them. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study, carried out in two public hospitals in São Luís – MA. Workers from both hospitals, recruited by convenience, regardless of gender, participated in the study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire, a sample characterization form, screening of psychosocial variables and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were used as collection instruments. The group averages for the obseved variables were compared, as well as the percentage of occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and the level of physical activity. Results: At HU-UFMA, 101 employees participated with a mean age of 42 years (SD±7.2), 84% were female, 84% worked in the healthcare sector, 54% had comorbidities, and 44% were currently experiencing pain; 75.2% had experienced pain or discomfort in the last 12 months; they had a mean of 5.2 (SD±3.0) for anxiety, 4.9 (SD±3.0) for stress, and 3.2 (SD±3.2) for depression; 12.8% were very active, 27.7% were active, and 25.7% were sedentary. At HMDM, 102 workers participated with a mean age of 49 years (SD±6.7), 86% were female, 78% worked in healthcare sector, 57% had comorbidities, and 43% were currently experiencing pain; 82.3% felt pain or discomfort in the last 12 months; they had an average of 1.2 (SD±1.1) for anxiety, 0.6 (SD±0.8) for stress and 2.8 (SD±3.7) for depression; 10.7% are very active, 24.5% are active and 29.4% are sedentary. Conclusion: Workers at the federal university hospital presented fewer musculoskeletal symptoms and a higher level of physical activity when compared to workers at the municipal emergency hospital. However, workers at the municipal emergency and urgency hospital presented better results in the psychosocial variables studied. These results suggest the need to implement and/or expand strategies for prevention and promotion of occupational health in the hospital setting.