title: Musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital cleaners.
abstract: Studies have indicated that cleaners are at risk for musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS). In 2001, the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate suggested improvements in cleaners' work environment to reduce MSS. We estimate prevalence of MSS among cleaners in a Norwegian hospital that had implemented improvements to reduce risk of MSS and calculate relative risk of MSS among cleaners compared to a group of office workers. Data were collected from 255 participants. MSS were investigated using the Nordic Questionnaire for Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms. Cleaners reported a significantly higher prevalence of MSS compared to office workers but a lower prevalence compared to similar studies among cleaners in other countries. This may indicate that working conditions in Norway are better than in other countries; further studies are needed to compare MSS and working conditions in different settings.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care , Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.
authors.forename: Olivia Edna
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Lasrado
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care , Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.
authors.forename: Ole Jacob
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Møllerløkken
authors.affiliation: b Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care , Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen , Bergen , Norway.
authors.forename: Bente Elisabeth
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Health and Social Sciences , Bergen University College , Bergen , Norway.
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van den Bergh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Cleaners; Nordic Questionnaire; musculoskeletal symptoms; prevalence