Reported neck and shoulder problems in female industrial workers: the importance of factors at work and at home

A study was performed to determine how exposure to physical and psychosocia l factors at work and at home influences self-reported musculoskeletal prob lems of the neck, shoulders and thoracic spine. A group of 173 Swedish fema le blue collar workers, aged 20-45 yr. with monotonous work tasks in the me tal acid food industries completed questionnaires with a total of 184 quest ions relating to health status and demographic factors, exposure factors (w ork-related and domestic factors. questions on lifestyle e.g. smoking, phys ical activity level and leisure activities). and outcome (musculoskeletal p roblems). The women were placed in one case group with 'continuous' problem s in the 'neck and shoulder' region. or one referent group, in a nested cas e-referent study. Frequencies. mean values, factor analyses, analysis of th e correlation between exposure and effect variables. and odds ratios with 9 5% confidence intervals were all calculated. The results showed that an inc reased risk of suffering from musculo-skeletal problems of the neck and sho ulder region among female blue collar workers was related to working in a m onotonous fixed position, working with the hands and arms lifted and unsupp orted, and having a high decision latitude. Single women without children b elow the age of 13 reported fewer problems than women with a partner, child ren < 13 yr of age or both.