O trabalho de Enfermagem, desenvolvido essencialmente por mulheres, envolve numerosos fatores de risco para a saude. Apesar disso, no Brasil, os estudos sobre a saude desse grupo ocupacional praticamente inexistem. Este estudo transversal pretendeu diagnosticar as condic;:oes de saude e trabalho de enfermeiras e auxiliares de enfermagem em urn grande hospital publico. Foram realizadas entrevistas e medidas de peso, altura e pressao arterial no proprio local de trabalho, em 497 trabalhadoras. Especialmente nas auxiliares, foram encontradas altas prevahncias de problemas agudos (45%), e cronicos como dores de coluna (71%), varizes (57,5%),hipertensao arterial (24,9%), transtomos menta is (36,7%), obesidade (16%), problemas digestivos (34,5%) e respiratorios (31 %). Ambos os grupos apresentam excessivas jornadas de trablho profissional. Contudo, as auxiliares sao duplamente penalizadas pelo acumulo de trabalho domestico, 0 que contribui para suas piores condições de saude.
Nursing work is developed mainly by women and includes many risk factors for several diseases. Nevertheless, in Brazil, the studies about health conditions of the occupational group are almost inexistent. This cross-sectional study was carried out in order to investigate the health and work conditions of R.N. and auxiliary nurses of a public hospital. The data collection included interviews and measures of weight, height and blood pressure, in 495 employed nurses and auxiliary nurses. Specially among the auxiliary nurses, the results revealed very high prevalences of acute (45%) and chronic conditions, such as backache (71 %), varices (57,5%), arterial hypertension (24,9%), mental disorders (36,7%), obesity (16%), digestive (34,5%) and respiratory problems (31%). Both groups have too long a professional workday. However, the auxiliary nurses are overloaded by homework, that contribute to worsen their health conditions.
