Yeliz Kaya1, Coşkun Kaya2, Barbaros Baseskioglu3, Nebahat Ozerdoğan1, Aydın Yenilmez3, Canan Demirüstü4. 1. Department of Urology, Nurse College, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. 2. Department of Urology, Eskisehir State Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey. 3. Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey. 4. Department of Biostatistics, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between work-related factors and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to emphasize the vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. METHODS: The Turkish version of the Nurse Bladder Survey was used to estimate the prevalence of LUTS and to assess the relationship between individual characteristics, personal habits and work-related factors in nurses and secretaries who were working in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospital. The Turkish version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey was used to assess the nurses' and secretaries' health-related quality of life (HRQL). RESULTS: Of the 281 women who participated in the study, 218 (77.5%) and 63 (22.5%) were nurses and secretaries, respectively. There were no significant differences in personal habits and work-related factors between the nurses and secretaries. Of the study participants, 121 (43.1%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of any type of LUTS between the two groups. Only the mean scores of social functioning were significantly different for nurses and secretaries on the other aspects of HRQL in the SF-36. When the nurses with LUTS and the secretaries with LUTS were compared, the secretaries had a greater score on the general health domain than nurses. CONCLUSION: There is a vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. To prevent the working women from harmful effects of this circle, the employers should be aware of this health problem; working conditions should be improved; educational programs for LUTS should be organized and the working women should be encouraged to go to the health providers to seek treatment when the symptoms occurred.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between work-related factors and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to emphasize the vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. METHODS: The Turkish version of the Nurse Bladder Survey was used to estimate the prevalence of LUTS and to assess the relationship between individual characteristics, personal habits and work-related factors in nurses and secretaries who were working in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Hospital. The Turkish version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey was used to assess the nurses' and secretaries' health-related quality of life (HRQL). RESULTS: Of the 281 women who participated in the study, 218 (77.5%) and 63 (22.5%) were nurses and secretaries, respectively. There were no significant differences in personal habits and work-related factors between the nurses and secretaries. Of the study participants, 121 (43.1%) experienced at least one type of LUTS. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of any type of LUTS between the two groups. Only the mean scores of social functioning were significantly different for nurses and secretaries on the other aspects of HRQL in the SF-36. When the nurses with LUTS and the secretaries with LUTS were compared, the secretaries had a greater score on the general health domain than nurses. CONCLUSION: There is a vicious circle between symptoms and work conditions. To prevent the working women from harmful effects of this circle, the employers should be aware of this health problem; working conditions should be improved; educational programs for LUTS should be organized and the working women should be encouraged to go to the health providers to seek treatment when the symptoms occurred.