A FIVE-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE PERIOD STUDY OF PERIOD PREVALENCE WITH VIEW TO WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND WORK PROTCESS IN TWO DIAGNOSTIC AND CONSULTING CENTERS IN VARNA

Abstract

A retrospective five-year period study of the temporary incapacity of the workers employed at the two largest diagnostic and consulting centers in Varna Municipality revealed the health status and tendencies of healthcare workers under specific working conditions. The high level of temporary incapacity for work among healthcare workers is associated with age, feminization, specific working conditions and work process organization. The statistical parameters of the study have been evaluated in accordance with the approved methodology described in Regulation No. 3 of 2008 on the terms and procedure for the operation of the occupational health services. In the analysis of the results, we have used alternative analysis methods for the qualitative variables and variance analysis methods for the quantitative variables. Five groups of diseases represent 85 % of the overall morbidity with temporary disability in the two medical centers. Respiratory diseases /53 – 57 %/ are the most common case followed by musculoskeletal, connective tissue and nervous system disorders /17 - 20 %/ We found a high incidence of temporary incapacity for work, lost workday cases and workers with some degree of permanent disability. These results confirm that the healthcare sector is a high-risk sector with reported diseases above average for the country and for the other economic activities. The main approaches to remedy these negative trends are related to occupational medical care and services, such as establishing adequate working and rest periods, safe and healthy conditions at work and promotion of workers’ health.

Keywords

• period prevalence
• health status
• musculoskeletal disorders
• outpatient medical care
• healthcare workers