Factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and heart rate variability among cleaners - cross-sectional study

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among hotel housekeepers and cleaners: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are among the most frequent and costly occupational health problems with a rising prevalence globally.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to know and evaluate the prevalence of MSD by anatomic location among hotel housekeepers (HHs) and cleaners.

METHODS

Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Dialnet Plus, PEDro and Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews using a search strategy to identify cross-sectional studies reporting on the prevalence of MSD in HHs or cleaners. The risk of bias was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute tool for systematic reviews. A random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review, nine of them in the meta-analysis (n = 2299). The study sample sizes ranged from 24 to 1043 participants. The Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was the most common tool used to assess MSD among both HHs and cleaners (9/19 of the included studies). The three most affected anatomic locations were the low back 53.9% (95% CI: 43.3-64.6), shoulders 41.4% (95% CI: 27.1-55.8), and wrists/hands 40.1% (95% CI: 24.5-55.7).

CONCLUSIONS

HHs and cleaners have a high prevalence of MSD. Low back pain is the most prevalent MSD among both HHs and cleaners affecting up to one of two people.

Using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment to examine the effect of the new Hotel Housekeeping California Standard

A housekeeper's job includes a variety of repetitive and strenuous tasks, which can put workers at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders. In 2018, a new standard was implemented in California aiming to prevent work-related injuries of hospitality industry workers. This paper assesses California housekeepers performing regular work tasks during their shifts from 2018 to 2020. Rapid Upper Limb Assessments (RULA) after the standard was implemented found average right-arm scores for scrubbing tasks (M = 6.93, SD = 0.00), vacuuming (M = 6.27, SD = 0.45), and trash-collecting (M = 4.48, SD = 0.50). Forces to move housekeeping carts were also evaluated, with 98% of pushing forces and 73% of turning forces observed within the accepted range. Results show that RULA scores remain high even after the implementation of the standard, with improvements only seen in tasks that required just changing of the method.

The relationship between perceived health and psychosocial risk in women in the service sector (cleaning)

BACKGROUND

Cleaning is considered a female-dominant occupation. Women cleaning workers present a high risk of suffering impaired health probably as a result of performing low-skilled tasks. However, to date, no studies have been found that examine the health status of female cleaning workers in Spain.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to 1) determine the level of perceived health in a sample of female cleaning workers, 2) evaluate the main psychosocial risks they face, 3) explore the relationship between perceived health and psychosocial risk factors, and 4) compare the perceived health of those women who present some psychosocial risk factor and those who do not.

METHODS

This is a multi-centered cross-sectional study carried out in the service sector of a Spanish company. The final sample was composed of 455 female cleaning workers. Sociodemographic variables, perceived health status and psychosocial risk factors were assessed.

RESULTS

Women presented a high perception of health status. The main psychosocial risk was lack of acknowledgement by their superiors, which affected 25.2% (n = 111) of the sample. Moderate negative correlations (r=-.222 to -.442; p <  .01) were identified between perceived health and evident psychosocial risks. Those women who presented some psychosocial risk (n = 174; 38.3%) had a worse state of perceived health in all variables studied.

CONCLUSION

Presence of psychosocial risk had a relationship with a worse health perception. This article highlights the need to orient preventive actions in the psychosocial field. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a new situation to renew the health promotion between cleaning workers.

Cleaning in the 21st Century: The musculoskeletal disorders associated with the centuries-old occupation - A literature review

Workers performing cleaning duties experience higher injury rates, especially in the form of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), than other industries. It is essential to understand the inherent risks associated with the nature of this occupation. Based on the Balance Theory (Smith & Carayon-Sainfort, 1989), this review surveys the current literature, especially those published since the previous review paper (Kumar & Kumar, 2008), and identifies which elements contributing to MSD risks were examined: task, technology, organization, environment, individual, and their interactions. Thirty-nine research papers published between 2005 and 2021 are identified and summarized. Among these papers, task and individual elements received the most attention, at 42 and 34 occurrences, respectively. The interaction elements of technology-organization, technology-environment, and organization-environment received less than three mentions. The goal of this literature review is to update the knowledge base and identify current trends for the cleaning occupation. Possible interventions for risk reduction and future research directions are suggested.

Correlation between standing posture during work and low back and lower limb pain among cleaners and caregivers of older adults

ABSTRACT Maintaining a standing posture during work has been associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. Few studies, however, assess the standing time using objective measures. Thus, this study aimed to verify whether standing time at work is associated with lower back and lower limb pain in the last seven days and last 12 months in caregivers of older adults and cleaners. This is a cross-sectional study. Standing time at work was quantified using inclinometers attached to the workers’ thigh and spine. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the point-biserial correlation coefficient (rpb) between standing time at work and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The analyses were performed using the SPSS software, adopting 5% significance level. Workers spend most of their time standing still (41.3%) or walking (39.3%). The presence of symptoms in the lower back was positively correlated with standing time (rpb=0.52; p<0.05). Walking time was negatively correlated with symptoms at the hip in the last 12 months (rpb=−0.53; p<0.05) and running time with symptoms at the hip, in the last seven days, (rpb=−0.43; p<0.05) and the lower back (rpb=−0.43; p<0.05). Longer standing time was correlated with the presence of symptoms in the lower back. Meanwhile, less time walking and running were correlated with the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the hips and lower back.

Correlação entre a postura em pé durante o trabalho e dor na coluna lombar e nos membros inferiores em trabalhadoras da limpeza e cuidadoras de idosos

RESUMO A postura em pé durante o trabalho tem sido associada a sintomas musculoesqueléticos. Entretanto, há poucos estudos que avaliam o tempo em pé utilizando medidas objetivas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se o tempo em pé no trabalho está associado com dor na coluna lombar e nos membros inferiores nos últimos sete dias e 12 meses em cuidadoras de idosos e trabalhadoras da limpeza. Trata-se de estudo transversal, em que o tempo em pé no trabalho foi quantificado por meio de inclinômetros fixados na coxa e na coluna vertebral, e os sintomas musculoesqueléticos foram avaliados por meio do Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares. Os dados foram analisados por meio da correlação ponto bisserial (rpb) entre o tempo em pé no trabalho e a presença de sintomas musculoesqueléticos. As análises foram realizadas por meio do software SPSS e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Verificou-se que as trabalhadoras passam a maior parte do tempo em pé paradas (41,3%) ou andando (39,3%). Houve correlação positiva entre a presença de sintoma na lombar e o tempo em pé (rpb=0,52; p<0,05) e correlação negativa entre o tempo andando e sintomas no quadril (rpb=−0,53; p<0,05) nos últimos 12 meses e o tempo correndo e sintomas no quadril (rpb=−0,43; p<0,05) e na coluna lombar (rpb=−0,43; p<0,05) nos últimos sete dias. O maior tempo em pé foi correlacionado com a presença de sintomas na lombar; enquanto o menor tempo andando e correndo foram correlacionados com a presença de sintomas no quadril e na coluna lombar.

Cleaning in Times of Pandemic: Perceptions of COVID-19 Risks among Workers in Facility Services

Cleaning services are a transversal activity that guarantees the proper functioning and conditions of safety, hygiene, and health across all economic sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for clean, sanitary spaces, particularly in health services and other areas with a large number of people. The workers in these services were often placed on the frontline without any specific training or information. Their low average schooling aggravated this situation. Therefore, exploring these workers’ perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential influence on their mental health was the primary goal of our research. Structured interviews were conducted based on questionnaires in a sample of 436 women. Their characterisation focused on three aspects related to the pandemic. First, to prevent infecting others (85.5%) and that people close to them could die (86.0%) were the dominant concerns; second, the feeling of permanent vigilance was mentioned (56.2%); and third, the fear of not getting medical care (60.7%). Thus, the workers felt there was a need for more dissemination of individual protection measures, as well as more training, better general working conditions, and access to psychological counselling.

Differences in cardiovascular risk levels between cleaning staff and hotel housekeepers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a greater incidence in the most disadvantaged social classes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the level of cardiovascular risk in cleaning workers.

METHODS

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in 46.632 cleaning workers (40.169 women and 6.463 men). Thirty-one different scales related to cardiovascular risk were studied (14 assessing overweight and obesity, 5 determining the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 5 scales of cardiovascular risk, 4 atherogenic indices, and 3 scales of metabolic syndrome, among others). The results obtained were divided between personnel who perform their cleaning tasks in the hotel and catering industry and those in other sectors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity and arterial hypertension in cleaning workers was over 20% in both sexes. A similar amount was observed in moderate or high values on the REGICOR (Registre GIroní del COR) scale. More than 15% presented metabolic syndrome according to the NCEP ATPIII (National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Program III) criteria, while over 10% of women and 20% of men had a high risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease assessed with the fatty liver index.

CONCLUSION

Cardiovascular risk is higher, in both sexes, in the group of cleaning workers who work in companies other than hotels.