Gender differences in experience and reporting of acute symptoms among cleaning staff

Abstract

Background Cleaning tasks pose risks of hazardous chemical exposure and adverse health effects for cleaning workers. We examined gender differences among cleaning staff in the experience of chemical‐related symptoms and in reporting to supervisors. Methods We analyzed cross‐sectional reports from 171 university hospital or campus cleaning staff on chemical exposures to cleaning products, experience of acute symptoms, reporting of symptoms to supervisors, as well as demographic and psychosocial factors (risk perception, job demand/control, supervisor/co‐worker support, and safety climate). Results were analized using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for demographic, job, and psychosocial factors. Interactions of gender and psychosocial variables were also examined. Results Men and women reported different frequencies for exposure‐related tasks. Acute symptoms of chemical exposure were more prevalent in women compared with men (46.0% vs. 25.4%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–5.46). Women were more concerned about exposure to cleaning chemicals (p = 0.029) but reported symptoms to their supervisor less often than men (18.5% vs. 40.6%, adjusted OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.09–0.93). More supervisor support was significantly associated with less frequent symptom experience among women (OR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.70–0.99). Asian workers and less educated workers were less likely than others to report symptoms to supervisors. Gender differences in symptom reporting to supervisors were not explained by psychosocial factors. Conclusions Women may have increased susceptibility or perception of symptoms from cleaning compared to men, but this may be mitigated by supervisor support. Female Asian workers with lower education may perceive more significant barriers in reporting work‐related symptoms to supervisors. Further research is needed to explore factors related to underreporting.

Reporting of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Nursing Assistants in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea

“…Our ndings showed that a substantial number of NAs with a WRMSD (84.4%) did not report it to their management. This gure is higher than reporting rates in previous studies that ranged from 21-74% [13,17,18,35,36]. WRMSD reporting to management was related to positive attitudes toward reporting, experience of witnessing the injury reporting of others, good safety climate, and not having WRMSDs resulting in changed of jobs, tasks, or work due to WRMSDs.…”

“…The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides the legal foundation of employee's rights to report injuries free from retaliation and prohibits employers from taking any adverse actions against employees for the reporting [12]. However, there exist perceived barriers to reporting and many injuries or symptoms may go unreported [13,14]. Research indicated that 20-74% of U.S. workers who experienced a workrelated injury or symptom did not report it to their management [13,15].…”

“…However, there exist perceived barriers to reporting and many injuries or symptoms may go unreported [13,14]. Research indicated that 20-74% of U.S. workers who experienced a workrelated injury or symptom did not report it to their management [13,15]. WRMSDs are more likely to be underreported because the multifactorial etiology and insidious onset of musculoskeletal symptoms make it di cult to prove the work-relatedness of the MSDs [16,17].…”

Underreporting of work‐related low back pain among registered nurses: A mixed method study

“…Our study found that reporting was affected by the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity. Previous studies have found women to be less likely than men to report 5,53 and BIPOC individuals to be less likely than Whites to report. 21 In our study, BIPOC men were more likely than non-Hispanic White women to report work-related low back pain, and a significant difference was observed only among those who sought health care.…”