University teachers’ complaints regarding health and its relationship with risk factors in job organization

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between the work organizational conditions and the resulting health complaints in teachers. Also taken in account are some existing organizational risk factors that may compromise the health and performance of teachers in specifi c activities. Material and Methods: 85 teachers, full time (FT) and hourly (HO), answered a questionnaire with personal, professional and health information. Each occupational risk in both groups was analyzed and correlated with health problems through statistical analysis. The signifi cance level was 5%. Results: The relationship between work organization and health was signifi cant in the FT group, carrying weight and vocal dysfunction (p=0.008), discipline problems within the classroom, and osteoarticular disease (p = 0.049). The HO group showed a positive association between: constant supervision (p = 0.017) and often carrying weight (p = 0.04) with osteoarticular complaints, constant supervision (p=0.004) and inappropriate location for rest (p = 0.028) with vocal complaints, often carrying weight (p=0.026), job stress (p=0.046) and discipline problems within the classroom (p=0.004) with emotional complaints; interference of environmental factors in personal life and health (p=0.003) with hearing disorders. Conclusions: Risk factors such as heavy weight lifting, lack of discipline in the classroom, constant supervision, inappropriate location for rest and stress in the workplace need to be addressed and solved because of its associations with vocal, osteoarticular, emotional and hearing complaints. Additionally, a speech therapist would be able to assist with the preservation of voice and indicate changes that make work and the workplace healthier.