Work ability and health of security guards at a public University: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the work ability and health status of security guards at a public University. Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was carried with 119 security guards. The following instruments were used: Work Ability Index (WAI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, short), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), and Demand-Control-Support (DCS). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study samples and the Spearman's coefficient correlation was performed to assess the WAI. Significance level was set at 5%. Results: samples were composed by men; the mean age was 54.9 years (SD=5.7); 80% had partners, and 75% had basic education. The majority (95%) had only one job, the average length of service was 24.8 years (SD=11), ranging from 3 to 43 years. 88.9% worked ≤40 hours and 75% did not work at night shift or rotating shifts. The average score given to work ability was good (40.7 points), with significant correlation to social support at work (p-value=0.002), health conditions (p-value=0.094), and depression symptoms (p-value=0.054). Conclusion: this study showed that many characteristics might affect the work ability scores. Considering the results, we note that healthy life habits and a reorganization of work environments should be encouraged.

The influence of specific aspects of occupational stress on security guards’ health and work ability: detailed extension of a previous study

“…Working long hours and overtime is also common among security guards ( 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ) and adds to the burnout syndrome, health impairments, injuries, and absenteeism ( 76 , 77 ). Similar to shift work, it also affects family and social life and other activities that could relieve stress (including sports and other physical activities) ( 30 , 31 , 34 , 77 , 78 , 79 ).…”

“…In addition, these workers often work in unfavourable (too cold or too hot, noisy, dusty) working environments and conditions, such as confined workspaces, fixed body position and static effort, irregular and extended working hours, shift work, night work, and often. In addition, their jobs are often underpaid and insecure in terms of long-term contracts with all benefits ( 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ). All these stressors place security guards in the category of jobs with a high level of occupational stress ( 4 ).…”

Effects of Shift Work on Dietary Habits and Nutrients Intake of Security Guards

“…: Similar letters denote significant difference between groups in same row **: Highly statistically significant Table (2) showed that the BMI was statistically significantly higher among security guards with night shift (34.6±8.8) than those with evening (30.39±4. 7) and day shifts (28.8±4.7) (P<0.001). Also, the waist circumference was statistically significantly higher among those with night shift (105.12±15.9) than those with evening (91.88±15.4) and day shifts (90.3±18.9) (P<0.001).…”

“…Security guards are responsible for guaranteeing the security and the physical integrity of employees, workers and visitors, in public institutions, like universities and they work in shifts to be constantly alert to any circumstance that threatens the security (Godinho et al, 2016). Morikawa et al, (2008) stated that shift workers preferred to eat fast foods and tend to have fewer meals over 24 hours.…”

Fatores de risco para vigilantes

“…The results were presented in the form of tables. 8 Table 1 shows that there was a predominance of males (21 = 91.30%); age group of 34 to 41 years (eight = 34.78%) and 42 years or more (eight = 34.78%); 12 (52.17%) had completed high school; 17 (73.91%) were married; ten (43.48%) were brown and 14 (60.87%) reported receiving one to two minimum wages. .…”