The social and occupational distribution of work-related health risks and health complaints

Introduction. In occupational health research an elaborated body of scientific knowledge on the link between working conditions and health exists. While this research has contributed to a very good understanding of the aetiology of specific work-related risks (physical, psychosocial, job insecurity, shift work, etc.) and health, the social distribution of risks and health complaints is largely neglected. However, to understand the impact of work on social inequalities in health, an approach highlighting this distribution within the population is needed. Starting from a sociological approach to labour and labour relations, this study explores the social and occupational distribution of work-related health risks. Next, the interrelations of occupational health risks with a number of work-related health complaints and social and occupational variables are assessed.
Methods. A cross-sectional dataset from the 2004 Quality of Labour Monitor, initiated by the Socio-Economic Council of Flanders is used. This unique data for Belgium, consists of demographic, socio-economic, occupational and self-reported health variables in a representative sample of 11,099 Flemish employees from all major economic sectors. The relationships are tested using a stepwise logistic regression approach.
Main results. Significant differences in the prevalence of occupational health risks according to social and occupational variables (gender, age, educational attainment, professional categories) are demonstrated. The social and occupational variables, as well as occupational risk factors, have a significant effect on work-related health complaints, mutual controls diminish the effect of the social and occupational variables. The relationships vary according to the health indicator used.
Discussion. By introducing social variables, this research makes a useful addition to the occupational health field: showing that in reality occupational health risks are interrelated and structured according to social and occupational pathways and according to the used health outcome. These social-scientific accents in occupational health research contribute to the explanation of socio-economic health variations.