Abstract
As part of an intervention study in 3 hospital laundries, 157 workers (83.5% response) completed questionnaires about musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors. Symptom prevalence was compared using 3 “case definitions“. Prevalence rates varied depending upon the “case definition” with 73% reporting “any” pain, 71% reporting pain ≥3 time in the year or ≥5 days duration (Hunting), 57% reporting pain in the last 7 days (Nordic-week) and 54% reporting pain ≥12 times or ≥7 days in the last year and ≥mod***erate intensity (NIOSH). When compared with psychosocial scores, there were significant differences for all body parts using the Nordic-week and NIOSH definition. For the upper limbs, only the Nordic-week was significant and for the back, the Hunting and NIOSH were significant with psychosocial scores. Analyzed individually, variety in work tasks and mental exhaustion after work were significantly different between “cases” and “non-cases”. The “case definition” used determines not only prevalence of MSD, but significance of psychosocial variables as well.
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