The relation between combined work load from paid and unpaid work and musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue among high and low educated women and men – a study from a gender equality perspective

摘要

Studies show higher prevalence for both musculoskeletal disorders and perceived fatigue in women than in men. Women's higher exposure to a combined work load in paid and unpaid work has been put forward as a possible explanation. Partners shared responsibility for domestic work should then be beneficial for women's health. The aim of this study was to from a gender equality perspective analyze relations between combined work load in paid and unpaid work and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's) and fatigue in high and low educated women and men. Three thousand employees in companies characterized as gender equal or not gender equal were asked to answer a questionnaire with questions on family situation, work situation, MSD's, fatigue and perceived gender equality. The computer science sector represented high demands on education in employees (HES) and the food industry low demands on education in employees (LES). The results showed that women had a higher combined work load compared to men irrespective of work sector or family situation. Women also had higher prevalence's of both MSD's and fatigue in both HES and LES. More adverse working conditions both physically and psychosocially were found in the LES. On the whole the same variables were associated with MSD's and fatigue, but in partly different combinations in the HES and the LES. In the HES a small but significant association was found between the combined work load and MSD's in addition to low control at work, work home imbalance and perceived gender inequality at the work place. In the LES only work exposure variables as high physical work load, high work demands and low control at work or low social support were associated with MSD's and fatigue. Conclusion: Combined work load and work home imbalance had a higher impact on MSD's and fatigue in employees in the HES compared to employees in the LES, for whom adverse physical and psychosocial work exposure were more important.