Reducing Work-related Stress in Nursing Personnel: Applying an Intervention / Reducción del estrés laboral en profesionales de enfermería: aplicación de una intervención / Redução do estresse laboral em profissionais de enfermagem: aplicação de uma intervenção

Objetivo: comparar os níveis de estresse ex-post-fact entre os profissionais de enfermagem no ambiente do trabalho hospitalar participantes de intervenção educativa com profissionais de enfermagem em atividades laborais. Materiais e método: estudo observacional e transversal. A amostra final foi composta por 30 profissionais de enfermagem, da qual 15 profissionais compuseram o grupo exposto à intervenção e 15 foram selecionados por amostragem aleatória simples para compor o grupo não exposto. A intervenção consistiu em um programa, com foco no trabalhador, estruturado em quatro sessões, aplicado em formato de curso, com periodicidade quinzenal e duração de dois meses. Na comparação entre os grupos, foram utilizados o teste t de Student para amostras independentes e o teste U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: por meio do teste U de Mann-Whitney, pode-se comparar o nível de estresse entre os grupos, no qual se observou diferença estatística do nível de estresse entre o grupo controle (3,34 ± 0,71 u.a.) e o grupo intervenção (2,52 ± 0,59 u.a.) (p = 0,002; d = 1,26). Conclusões: comparando o nível de estresse geral entre os grupos, constata-se que a intervenção diminuiu significativamente o nível de estresse nos profissionais; foi possível ainda identificar os estressores mentais dos profissionais por meio da Escala de Estresse em Profissionais.

Objective: To compare the levels of ex-post-facto stress between nursing personnel who participated in an educational intervention with nursing personnel on work duties, within the hospital work environment. Materials and method: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. The final sample was composed of 30 nursing personnel, with 15 of them composing the group exposed to the intervention and 15 being selected by simple random sampling to compose the unexposed group. The intervention consisted of a program focused on the employees, structured in four sessions, applied in a course format twice a week, and lasted two months. The Student's t-test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the groups. Results: Using the Mann-Whitney U-test, the stress levels could be compared between the groups, and a statistical difference in stress levels was observed between the control group (3.34 ± 0.71 a.u.) and the intervention group (2.52 ± 0.59 a.u.) (p = 0.002; d = 1.26). Conclusions: Comparing the general stress levels between the groups, it was found that the intervention significantly decreased the stress levels in the participants; it was also possible to identify the mental stressors faced by the participants using the Scale of Stress in Professionals.

Objetivo: comparar los niveles de estrés ex-post-fact entre los profesionales de enfermería en el ambiente del trabajo hospitalario participantes de intervención educativa con profesionales de enfermería en actividades laborales. Materiales y método: estudio observacional y transversal. La muestra final se compuso por 30 profesionales de enfermería, de la que 15 profesionales compusieron el grupo expuesto a intervención y 15 se seleccionaron por muestreo aleatorio para componer el grupo no expuesto. La intervención consistió en un programa, con enfoque en el trabajador, estructurado en cuatro sesiones, aplicado en formato de curso, con periodicidad quincenal y duración de dos meses. En la comparación entre los grupos, se utilizaron la prueba t de Student para amuestras independientes y la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: por medio de la prueba U de Mann-Whitney, se puede comparar el nivel de estrés entre los grupos, en el que se observó diferencia estadística del nivel de estrés entre el grupo control (3,34 ± 0,71 u.a.) y el grupo intervención (2,52 ± 0,59 u.a.) (p = 0,002; d = 1,26). Conclusiones: comparando el nivel de estrés general entre los grupos, se constata que la intervención disminuyó significativamente el nivel de estrés en los profesionales; se logró aun identificar los estresores mentales de los profesionales por medio de la Escala de Estrés en Profesionales.

[Predictors associated with the quality of life at work of public university teachers]. / Preditores associados à qualidade de vida no trabalho de docentes da universidade pública.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predictive factors associated with the teachers' perception of their Quality of Life at Work at the public university. METHOD: Descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional, quantitative study, conducted with 91 professors from different areas of a public university in southwest Goiás, Brazil. To estimate the predictive factors, Total Quality of Work Life -42 and a socio-demographic and labor characterization questionnaire were used. For statistical analysis, the STATA program was used. RESULTS: The dimensions assessed in the Quality of Life at Work were considered satisfactory, with a better score in the psychological behavioral dimension. In the bivariate analysis of the potential factors associated with the General Quality of Life at Work, significance was found with the academic title (p=0,005), the work-related health problem (p<0,001), the leisure time reserve (p<0,001), satisfaction with physical, psychological and social condition (p<0,001) and age (p=0,024). In the regression analysis, length of service at the institution (p=-0.15; p=0.039), work-related health problems (p=-0.44; p<0.001) were decreasing predictors of good General Quality of Life, while satisfaction with their physical, mental and social condition (p=0.30; p<0.001) and having a PhD degree is shown as an increasing predictor (p=0.20; p=0.046). CONCLUSION: Teachers have a satisfactory assessment of their Quality of Life at Work, however some predictive factors punctuate elements that interfere with QWL and health perception in their work environment.

Isostretching en la reducción del dolor, fatiga y aumento de la flexibilidad en los trabajadores / The role of isostretching in reducing pain and fatigue, and increasing flexibility in workers

Objetivo: evaluar los efectos de Isostretching como una intervención para reducir las quejas de dolor osteomuscular y la fatiga y el aumento de la flexibilidad en los trabajadores. Método: Investigación cuasi-experimental con análisis cuantitativo y comparativo, realizado con 25 funcionarios de una Institución Pública de Enseñanza Superior del interior de São Paulo. Para la recolección se utilizó cuestionario de caracterización, Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física, Diagrama de Corlett, Cuestionario de Percepción de Fatiga, y para la flexibilidad se adoptó la prueba en el Banco de Wells. La recolección de datos se dividió en tres etapas: la primera constó de la aplicación de los cuestionarios y prueba de flexibilidad; la segunda de la intervención de Isostretching por 10 semanas; la tercera de la aplicación de los cuestionarios y la prueba de flexibilidad. Resultados: Se constató que hubo reducción significativa (p <0,05) de dolores en varios segmentos osteomusculares tras intervención. En relación a las quejas de fatiga, se observó una reducción significativa de las quejas (p = 0,001). En la evaluación de la flexibilidad muscular, se verificó un aumento estadísticamente significativo (p = 0,000) de la flexibilidad en los sujetos. Conclusión: El Isostretching demostró ser una técnica eficaz para reducir el dolor osteomuscular, la fatiga y mejorar la flexibilidad muscular de los trabajadores. Por eso, se hace necesaria la aplicación de este método en los ambientes laborales, para promover la calidad de vida del trabajador(AU)

Objective: to evaluate the effects of isostretching as an intervention to reduce complaints of musculoskeletal pain and fatigue and to increase flexibility in workers. Method: Quasiexperimental research with quantitative and comparative analysis, performed among 25 employees in a public institution of higher education in metropolitan São Paulo. We used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Corlett Diagram, Fatigue Perception Questionnaire to collect information on pain and fatigue; for flexibility, we adapted the Wells Bank test. The data collection was divided into three stages. First, we administered the questionnaires and flexibility test. Next, we implemented an isostretching intervention for 10 weeks, and this was followed by a repeat administration of the questionnaires and flexibility test. Results: There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) of pain in several musculoskeletal segments following the intervention. In relation to complaints of fatigue, we also found a significant reduction (p=0,001). Lastly, there was also a statistically significant increase (p=0,000) in flexibility among the participants. Conclusion: Isostretching appears to be an effective technique for reducing musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and improving the muscular flexibility of workers. We recommend its implantation at the workplace, as a measure to promote worker quality of life(AU)

Longitudinal evaluation of the quality of life of smoking motorcycle taxi drivers.

BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QoL) of traffic and transit workers has been a focus of much attention; motorcyclists are the workers most susceptible to accidents and exposure to pollutants. These factors added to smoking might result in respiratory disorders and influence the workers' QoL. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the QoL of smoking or not motorcycle taxi drivers. METHOD: Longitudinal and epidemiological study with quantitative approach conducted with 95 motorcycle taxi drivers from Jatai, southeastern Goias, Brazil, in two stages in 2014 and 2015. We administered a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and occupational data and self-perceived state of health, and WHOQOL-BREF. Statistical analysis was performed with software Statistical Package for Social Sciences® and STATA®; the significance level was set to p<0.05. RESULTS: Most participants were male (98.9%), nonsmokers (89.5%), had already suffered work accidents (67.4%); their average age was 39.1 years old, and 48.5% described their state of health as good. The score on the physical health domain of QoL decreased (from 86.07 to 74.28; p=0.091) and the one on the environment domain increased (from 58.43 to 64.06; p=0.285) among smokers. Also among nonsmokers the score on domain physical health decreased (from 79.87 to 76.38; p=0.014) and the one on domain environment increased (from 58.27 to 67.32; p<0.001). We found association of age and smoking with QoL domain physical health (p=0.014; 0.027). CONCLUSION: Motorcycle taxi drivers are exposed to several factors which might influence their living and working conditions. New public health policies targeting this population of workers are needed.

INTRODUÇÃO: A qualidade de vida (QV) de trabalhadores do trânsito tem sido foco de atenção, sendo os motociclistas os mais susceptíveis a acidentes e exposição a poluentes. Esses fatores, somados à prática tabagista, podem gerar transtornos respiratórios e influenciar na QV do trabalhador. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de mototaxistas tabagistas e não tabagistas. MÉTODO: Estudo longitudinal e epidemiológico, de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido com 95 mototaxistas de Jataí, no sudoeste goiano, Brasil, realizado em duas etapas entre 2014 e 2015, utilizando um questionário para avaliar características sociodemográficas e ocupacionais e percepção da saúde dos mototaxistas e o questionário WHOQOL-Bref. Os dados foram analisados nos programas Statistical Package for Social Sciences® e STATA®, por meio de testes estatísticos, considerando os valores de p<0,05 significantes. RESULTADOS: A maioria era do sexo masculino (98,9%), não fumava (89,5%), já havia se acidentado (67,4%); a idade média era de 39,1 anos, e 48,5% deles tinham boa percepção de saúde. O escore de domínio físico reduziu (86,07 versus 74,28; p=0,091) e o escore do domínio ambiental aumentou (58,43 versus 64,06; p=0,285) entre tabagistas. Entre os não tagagistas, o escore do do domínio físico reduziu (79,87 versus 76,38; p=0,014) e do domínio ambiental aumentou (58,27 versus 67,32; p<0,001). Houve associação entre a idade e o uso de tabaco com a QV no domínio físico (p=0,014; 0,027). CONCLUSÃO: Os mototaxistas estão expostos a diversos fatores que podem influenciar sua condição de vida e seu trabalho, tornando necessária a adoção de novas políticas públicas de saúde com vistas a essa classe trabalhadora.

Grupos de doenças em trabalhadores do gênero masculino de uma universidade pública / Groups of diseases among public university male workers

Aims: To describe the main groups of diseases in male workers treated at an outpatient clinic of a public university.Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study with data collected from records of medical examinations carried out at the outpatient clinic of the Division of Community Healthcare of Universidade Estadual de Londrina, in the state of Paraná, Brazil, in 2009. The medical diagnoses were grouped and categorized according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (CID-10). A systematic sampling method, with a 95% confidence interval and a margin of error of 5%, was used. The results were expressed as absolute numbers and frequencies.Results: There was a predominance of men aged over 50 years, and those working as operations assistants accounted for 67% of the sample. Duration of employment was over 11 years in most cases. The most frequent groups of diseases were those which affected the respiratory tract (66 cases or 17.98%), the circulatory system (58 cases or 15.80%), musculoskeletal and connective tissues (51 cases or 13.90%), the genitourinary tract (45 cases or 12.26%), including also mental and behavioral disorders (40 cases or 10.90%).Conclusions: Most of the diseases that affected the men in this study are preventable. The results herein contribute towards the planning of health promotion and prevention actions, especially targeted at male workers.

Objetivos: Descrever os principais grupos de doenças em trabalhadores do gênero masculino atendidos na divisão ambulatorial de uma universidade pública.Métodos: Estudo descritivo e retrospectivo com dados coletados de prontuários de consultas médicas realizadas no ano de 2009, no ambulatório da Divisão de Assistência à Comunidade da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, em Londrina, estado do Paraná. Os diagnósticos médicos foram agrupados e categorizados conforme a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde (CID-10). A amostragem foi probabilística sistematizada, mantendo índice de confiabilidade de 95% e margem de erro de 5%. Os resultados foram apresentados em números absolutos e frequências.Resultados: Entre os 367 homens atendidos no período cujos prontuários foram selecionados para estudo, a faixa etária mais frequente foi acima dos 50 anos, havendo predomínio de auxiliares operacionais (67%). O tempo de atuação na instituição superior a 11 anos foi o mais encontrado na amostra estudada. As doenças mais frequentemente descritas foram as do aparelho respiratório, com 66 casos (17,98%), seguidas por doenças do aparelho circulatório com 58 casos (15,80%), sistema osteomuscular e tecido conjuntivo com 51 casos (13,90%), aparelho geniturinário com 45 casos (12,26%) e transtornos mentais e comportamentais com 40 casos (10,90%).Conclusões: Constatou-se que muitas das doenças que acometeram os homens que trabalhavam na Universidade Estadual de Londrina são passíveis de prevenção. Os resultados deste estudo podem contribuir para o planejamento de ações que visem à promoção da saúde e à prevenção de agravos, especificamente voltadas para a população de trabalhadores do gênero masculino.

Poverty as a predisposing factor of illness tendencies in sugar cane workers.

This exploratory research based on the Social Ecological Theory aimed to study the health promotion of 39 people working in the harvest of the sugarcane in São Paulo, Brazil. The objectives were to identify the individual, social and environmental factors predisposing the workers to illnesses. The data were collected through direct observation of the labor activity and a questionnaire. The main individual determinant factors were physical effort and hectic work rhythm, and among the environmental factors, intense solar radiation, dust, soot and the presence of venomous animals were highlighted. The conditions of life and work reflect the poverty of these individuals and are the main social determinants of illness. The interaction of these factors can cause respiratory, cutaneous, musculoskeletal problems, occupational accidents. Thus, eradicating poverty and improving work conditions are fundamental for the health promotion of these workers.