Vit. artikkel

Publisert

  • 2008

Objectives The aim of this study was to quantify socioeconomic inequalities in low-back pain, neck–shoulder pain, and arm pain in the general working population in Oslo and to examine the impact of job characteristics on these inequalities. Methods All economically active 30-, 40-, and 45-year-old persons who attended the Oslo health study in 2000–2001 and answered questions on physical job demands, job autonomy, and musculoskeletal pain were included (N=7293). Occupational class was used as an indicator of socioeconomic status. The lower occupational classes were compared with higher grade professionals, and prevalences, prevalence ratios, prevalence differences, and population attributable fractions were calculated. Results There were marked, stepwise socioeconomic gradients for musculoskeletal pain, steeper for the men than for the women. The relative differences (prevalence ratios) were larger for low-back pain and arm pain than for neck–shoulder pain. The absolute differences (prevalence differences) were the largest for low-back pain. Physical job demands explained a substantial proportion of the absolute occupational class inequalities in low-back pain, while job autonomy was more important in explaining the inequalities in neck–shoulder pain and arm pain. The estimated population attributable fractions supported the impact of job characteristics at the working population level, especially for low-back pain. Conclusions...

Mehlum, Ingrid Alethe Sivesind; Kristensen, Petter; Kjuus, Helge; Wergeland, Ebba
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 34(4): 250–259
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