Vulnerable worker's health promotion programs: using the survey method to identify health problems of bus workers, cleaners, and food service workers

Abstract

Objective: We surveyed bus workers, food service workers, and cleaning workers who are the target of the health promotion program for vulnerable workers to analyze the health status in terms of musculoskeletal diseases and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases and determine the perceptions of the constituents of the program. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was designed to assess the characteristics and impact of musculoskeletal pain, recognition of early warning signs of cerebro-cardiovascular diseases, and so on. The frequency of each item was analyzed and chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was performed to determine if there were any differences in the responses to the overlapping items of the three groups of workers. Results: A total of 223 bus workers, 56 food service workers, and 48 cleaning workers participated in the survey. Bus workers and food service workers were suffering from musculoskeletal pain in general, although there were some differences in the severity and location. Among the early warning signs of myocardial infarction, the perception rate of "Suddenly, there is pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders." was 42.4% and 43.5%, respectively for bus workers and cleaning workers. The percentages of responses to the appropriateness of constituents of the program, which were identified for bus workers, were high in general. Conclusions: Although there is a need for improvement of health promotion program for the vulnerable group, it has been confirmed that the program can increase the health management level of the workers and the satisfaction of the participating workers is also high.