To explore definitions for multi-site pain, and compare associations with risk factors for different patterns of musculoskeletal pain, we analysed cross-sectional data from the Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) study. The study sample comprised 12,410 adults aged 20-59 years from 47 occupational groups in 18 countries. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect information about pain in the past month at each of 10 anatomical sites, and about potential risk factors. Associations with pain outcomes were assessed by Poisson regression, and characterised by prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). Extensive pain, affecting 6-10 anatomical sites, was reported much more frequently than would be expected if the occurrence of pain at each site were independent (674 participants v 41.9 expected). In comparison with pain involving only 1-3 sites, it showed much stronger associations (relative to no pain) with risk factors such as female sex (PRR 1.6 v 1.1), older age (PRR 2.6 v 1.1), somatising tendency (PRR 4.6 v 1.3) and exposure to multiple physically stressing occupational activities (PRR 5.0 v 1.4). After adjustment for number of sites with pain, these risk factors showed no additional association with a distribution of pain that was widespread according to the frequently used American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Our analysis supports the classification of pain at multiple anatomical sites simply by the number of sites affected, and suggests that extensive pain differs importantly in its associations with risk factors from pain that is limited to only a small number of anatomical sites.

SummaryLarge international variation in the prevalence of disabling forearm and low back pain was only partially explained by established personal and socioeconomic risk factors.

This descriptive and exploratory study from a quantitative approach aimed to characterize workers who were victims of work accidents related to human body fluids exposure and to evaluate the accident victim care protocol. The population consisted of 48 workers who were victims of work accidents involving exposure to human body fluids, from July 2000 to June 2001. Data were collected through a form and interviews. Results showed that nursing workers presented higher accident risk levels and that 87.50% involved piercing and cutting material, such as needles and butterflies (70%). As to the accident-related situation/activity, the workers indicated that 25% were due to an "inadequate act during the procedure"; 19.64% mentioned that "it happened" and 29.17% answered that they did not have any suggestion. This study provided important tools to review and elaborate strategies to prevent accidents involving exposure to human body fluids.

Background The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample. Methods/Principal Findings A standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three- to five-fold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as “repetitive strain injury” (RSI). Conclusions/Significance The large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectively.

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT The present study aimed to describe socio-demographic profile of nursing students and to comprehend the meaning of quality of life under theirs perspective. Sixty-five students of eighth semester of 2007 were interviewed, by application of self reported questionnaire, with questions about socio demographic data and open question about quality of life. The population was mainly female, single, with age among 22 to 24 years old and with different perceptions about own quality of life, apprehended by experience of favorable and destructive factors during the learning years. The study highlighted the quality of life perception of nursing student's perspective. Key words: Key words: Key words: Key words: Key words: Quality of life; Students, nursing; Nursing. RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN RESUMEN El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir el perfil sociodemográfico de los estudiantes de enfermería y comprender sus percepciones sobre propia calidad de vida. Sesenta y cinco estudiantes del octavo semestre de 2007 fueran entrevistados por el uso del cuestionario, con informaciones sobre datos sociodemográficos y preguntas abiertas sobre calidad de vida. La populación era principalmente femenina, solas, con edad entre 22 y 24 años y con diversas opiniones sobre propia calidad de vida, prendida por la experiencia factores favorables e destructibles durante los años de la aprendizaje. El estudio destacó la percepción de la calidad de vida de los estudiantes de la enfermería.

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This is a qualitative descriptive, transversal study aiming to analyze the amount and causes of sick leave of nursing professionals and its relationship with the occupation tax of the hospitalization units in a teaching hospital. The methodology was divided into two phases: demographic characterization of professionals and identification and analysis of absences regarding the amount and type of sick leaves, medical diagnosis and its relationship with the occupation tax of the Hospital. The nursing professionals presented the greatest amount of sick leaves. Diseases of the osteomuscular system and of the connective tissue represented 4,957 days (41.5%) of absences and mental and behavioral disorders 3,393 days (28.4%). The monthly percentage of sick licenses was inversely proportional to the occupation tax, suggesting that professionals were absent due to diseases after being submitted to greater work load. KEY WORDSNursing. Absenteeism. Personnel management. Nursing staff, hospital. RESUMENEstudio de naturaleza descriptiva, transversal, elaborada con el objetivo de analisar la cantidad y las causas del afastamiento por enfermedad de los profesionales de enfermería y su relación com la tasa de ocupación de las unidades de internación de un hospital de enseñanza. La metodología fue desarrollada en dos etapas: caracterización demográfica de los profisionales y la identificación y análisis de las ausencias en relación a la cantidad y tipos de afastamiento por enfermedad, a los diagnósticos médicos y en relación con la tasa de ocupación en el hospital. Los técnicos de enfermería fueron los que presentaron la mayor cantidad de licencias por enfermedad. Las enfermedades del sistema osteomuscular y del tejido conjuntivo representaron 4,957 días (41.5%) de ausencias y los trastornos mentales y comportamentales 3.393 días (28.4%). El percentual mensal de licencias por enfermedad fue inversamente proporcional a la tasa de ocupación, sugeriendo que los profesionales se ausentaron por enfermedad después de haberen sido sometidos a ritmos mayores de trabajo DESCRIPTORES Enfermería. Absentismo. Administración de personal. Personel de enfermería en hospital.

Objective: to identify the work process, the psychic workloads and the strains generated in nursing workers. Method: the study was developed in five Brazilian university hospitals. The sample was composed by 62 nursing workers and the data collection was done by focal group technique, followed by the application of a collective inquire. The data were quantitatively described and systematized according to a thematic analysis. Results: the study population represented 35,37% of the hospital workforce in national setting. The workers mentioned are exposure to several kinds of psychic workload and link them to with others workloads, highlighting the strain processes resulting from this kind of workload, such stress, fatigue, complaints of gastritis and headaches. Conclusions: nursing workers are exposed to several workloads in the hospital environment, especially psychic workloads. This exposure starts strain processes that compromise the health and quality of life, signaling the necessity of interventions in this reality. Cargas psíquicas y procesos de desgaste en trabajadores de enfermería de hospitales universitarios brasileñosEl objetivo de este estudio fue identificar el proceso de trabajo, las cargas psíquicas y los desgastes generados en trabajadores de enfermería. Se trata de un estudio desarrollado en cinco hospitales universitarios brasileños. La muestra fue compuesta por 62 trabajadores de enfermería; la recolección fue realizada por medio de la técnica de grupo focal, seguida de la aplicación de encuesta colectiva. Los datos fueron descritos numéricamente y sistematizados según análisis temático. La población de estudio representó 35,37% de la fuerza de trabajo hospitalario en el escenario nacional. Los trabajadores refirieron exposición a diversos tipos de cargas psíquicas y las relacionaron con otras cargas de trabajo, destacando los desgastes provenientes de este tipo de carga, como estrés, fatiga, gastritis y cefalea. Los trabajadores de enfermería están expuestos a las diversas cargas de trabajo en el ambiente hospitalario, especialmente a las cargas psíquicas. Esta exposición desencadena procesos de desgaste que comprometen la salud y calidad de vida, señalando la necesidad de realizar intervenciones en esta realidad.