Abstract

SAPIA, Tatiana; FELLI, Vanda Elisa Andres  and  CIAMPONE, Maria Helena Trench. Health problems among outpatient nursing personnel with a high physiological workload. Acta paul. enferm. [online]. 2009, vol.22, n.6, pp. 808-813. ISSN 0103-2100.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-21002009000600013.

Objective: To identify health problems among outpatient nursing personnel with high physiological workload and high Body Mass Index (BMI]), and their impact on the nursing personnel quality of life. Methods: A descriptive quantitative-qualitative approach was used. The sample consisted of 22 nursing personnel from an outpatient clinic from a university teaching hospital of São Paulo city. Data was collected though interview using a specific instrument developed for the study. Results: Nursing personnel physiological workload (42.11%) and high BMI (26.32%) were associated with musculoskeletal disorders characterized by pain in different parts of the body, leg varices and microvessels, and foot callosities. Conclusion: Although working at the outpatient clinic is perceived as "a gift," the reported health problems negatively affected the quality of life and the job performance of the nursing personnel.

Keywords : Occupational risks; Worker health; Quality of life.