Chronic Pain and Work Conditions of Hotel Housekeepers: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain of hotel housekeepers (HHs) and to describe the work conditions and perception of health in this occupational group in the Balearic Islands, Spain.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study with HHs of the Balearic Islands, performed in primary care. Random sample of HHs who worked during the 2018 season. We collected information on sociodemographic variables, job characteristics, workload, pain, perceived health, and physical activity. After participants signed the informed consent form, we conducted a face-to-face interview in the primary care centre and accessed the participants' electronic health records.

Results: 1043 HHs aged 43.3 ± 10 years and with 10.7 ± 9.1 years worked as HHs were included. 51% (95% CI: 48-54%) reported chronic pain, mainly in the lower back 28.7% (95% CI: 25.9-31.5%), hands/wrists 23.7% (95% CI: 21.1-26.4%), neck 21.6% (95% CI: 19.1-24.3%), shoulders 19.9% (95% CI: 17.4-22.4%), and back 17.8% (95% CI: 15.4-20.2%). Pain was associated with older age, more years worked, more beds made/day and difficulty in pushing the housekeeping cart. More than half HHs reported that they did not incorporate occupational risk prevention measures (ORPMs) into their routine; 17.3% (95% CI: 15.1-19.7%) HHs considered their health as poor or very poor. Perception of health was worse in HHs with chronic pain.

Conclusions: A high percentage of HHs of the Balearic Islands reported chronic pain, a low compliance with ORPMs and compared to women of the same sociodemographic profile they perceive a worse health status.

Keywords: hotel maids; musculoskeletal pain; occupational health; occupational risk; perceived health status.

Figure 1

Recruitment flowchart.

Figure 2

Pain by body region in the previous 7 days.