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2 "Qualitative research"
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Original Article
Hotel housekeepers and occupational health: experiences and perceived risks
Xènia Chela-Alvarez, Oana Bulilete, Encarna Garcia-Illan, MClara Vidal-Thomàs, Joan Llobera
Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e29.   Published online October 25, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e29
AbstractAbstract PDFPubReaderePub
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.


Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Investigation of Working Conditions and Health Status in Platform Workers in the Republic of Korea
    Hyoungseob Yoo, Munyoung Yang, Ji-Hun Song, Jin-Ha Yoon, Wanhyung Lee, Jinhee Jang, Minjoo Yoon, Mo-Yeol Kang
    Safety and Health at Work.2024; 15(1): 17.     CrossRef
  • 260 View
  • 13 Download
  • 5 Web of Science
  • 1 Crossref
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Research Article
Workers’ experiences with compensated sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorder: a qualitative study
Min Choi, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Jinwoo Lee, Hye-Eun Lee, Junsu Byun, Jong Uk Won
Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:33-33.   Published online November 4, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0033-0
AbstractAbstract PDFPubReaderePub
Objectives

The most common occupational disease that is compensated by Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) in Korea is musculoskeletal disease (MSD). Although complaints about the workers’ compensation system have been raised by injured workers with MSD, studies that examine workers’ experiences with the Korean system are rare. This paper is a qualitative study designed to examine injured workers’ experiences with the workers’ compensation system in Korea. The aim of this study is to explore the drawbacks of the workers’ compensation system and to suggest ways to improve this system.

Methods

All workers from an automobile parts factory in Anseong, GyeongGi province who were compensated for MSD by IACI from January 2003 to August 2013 were invited to participate. Among these 153 workers, 142 workers completed the study. Semi-structured open-ended interviews and questionnaires were administered by occupational physicians. The responses of 131 workers were analyzed after excluding 11 workers, 7 of whom provided incomplete answers and 4 of whom were compensated by accidental injury. Based on their age, disease, department of employment, and compensation time, 16 of these 131 workers were invited to participate in an individual in-depth interview. In-depth interviews were conducted by one of 3 occupational physicians until the interview contents were saturated.

Results

Injured workers with MSD reported that the workers’ compensation system was intimidating. These workers suffered more emotional distress than physical illness due to the workers’ compensation system. Injured workers reported that they were treated inadequately and remained isolated for most of the recuperation period. The compensation period was terminated without ample guidance or a plan for an appropriate rehabilitation process.

Conclusions

Interventions to alleviate the negative experiences of injured workers, including quality control of the medical care institutions and provisions for mental and psychological care for injured workers, are needed to help injured workers return to work earlier and more healthy.


Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  
  • Chairless Chairs for Orthopedic Surgery Purpose – A Literature Review
    Gatot Santoso, S. Sugiharto, Abdul Mughni, Muhammad Imam Ammarullah, Athanasius P. Bayuseno, J. Jamari
    Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences.2022; 10(F): 146.     CrossRef
  • Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI)
    Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model
    Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee
    Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub]     CrossRef
  • 217 View
  • 0 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 3 Crossref
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