Gender differences in self-reported physical and psychosocial exposures in jobs with both female and male workers

J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Mar;47(3):244-52. doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000150387.14885.6b.

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to determine whether men and women with the same job are equally exposed to work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints.

Methods: Men (n = 491) and women (n = 342) in 8 jobs with both female and male workers completed a questionnaire on exposure to work-related risk factors. Gender, job title, and potential confounders were included in the final statistical models. Separate analyses were performed for desk workers and assembly workers.

Results: For most risk factors gender differences in exposure were found. Among desk workers exposures were most often higher for women, which was the opposite for assembly workers.

Conclusions: Although exposure assessment relied on self-report, it seems unlikely that gender differences in reporting behavior completely explained gender differences in exposure. Thus, gender differences in exposure are present within the same job.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Job Description*
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal System / injuries*
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Occupational Health
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors