Background Hotel housekeepers are one of the most important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions and the strategies employed to mitigate them. Methods A qualitative study was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted. Next, we carried out a content analysis. Results Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; health professionals underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, they used medication (anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, sedatives and anxiolytics), which allowed them to continue working; health public services, generally rated as satisfactory; individual protective equipment; ergonomics (with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities) and physical activity. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: HHs who refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave (due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, ...), and those who accepted it (because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work). Conclusions Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies and programs to address health problems among hotel housekeepers. These programs should include interventions, such as coping strategies for the work-related risk factors (i.e., stress) and strategies to reduce medicine consumption. Additionally, hotel facilities should adopt policies focused on making workplaces more ergonomic (i.e., furniture) and to diminish the work pace.
Background: Hotel housekeepers are the second most important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions, the strategies employed to mitigate them and the social context in which they occur. Methods: A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted. Next, we carried out a content analysis. Results: Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; health professionals underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (characterized by being physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, they used medication, mostly anti-inflammatory agents and painkillers and, to a lesser extent, sedatives and anxiolytics, which allowed them to continue working; health public services, which they generally rated as satisfactory; personal protective equipment; ergonomics (with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities) and physical activity. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: HHs who refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave (due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, downplaying their pain...), and those who accepted it (because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work). Conclusion: Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies to address health problems among hotel housekeepers, to improve the attention received in primary care settings as well as their working condition.
Background Hotel housekeepers are an important occupational group within tourism hotel sector; various health problems related to their job have been described, above all musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study is to understand the experiences and perceptions of hotel housekeepers and key informants from the Balearic Islands (Spain) regarding occupational health conditions, the strategies employed to mitigate them and the social context in which they occur. Methods A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was carried out. Six focus groups with hotel housekeepers and 10 semi-structured interviews with key informants (including HHs, an executive housekeeper, health professionals and human resources personnel) were conducted. Next, we carried out a thematic analysis. Results Hotel housekeepers reported musculoskeletal disorders, anxiety and stress as main occupational health problems; while health professionals interviewed underscored the physical problems. Hotel housekeepers perceived that their work (characterized by being physically demanding and with repetitive movements) caused their health conditions. To solve health issues, HHs (i) used medication, mostly anti-inflammatory agents and painkillers and, to a lesser extent, sedatives and anxiolytics, which allowed them to continue working; (ii) go to health public services –specialist services in winter and general acute care in summer-, that were more positively perceived when HHs were treated by their family doctor; (iii) use personal protective equipment when suffering from specific health problems; (iv) follow ergonomic recommendations –with difficulties due to high work pace and hotel facilities- and (v) perform physical activity. Although HHs stated having all personal protective equipment needed, most reported an occasional use of it due to the high work pace and the discomfort of wearing gloves, mask and goggles. Two contrasting attitudes were identified regarding sick leave: some HHs refused to accept a doctor-prescribed sick leave –due to fear of being fired, sense of responsibility, downplaying their pain...-, while others accepted it –because they could not continue working, they prioritised health before work-. Conclusion Our results might contribute to plan improvement strategies to address health problems among hotel housekeepers, to improve the attention received in primary care settings as well as their working conditions.
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