WORKLOAD, NECK AND UPPER LIMB PAIN IN SALVADOR’S POPULATION, BAHIA, BRAZIL

Objectives : To describe the populational profile of adults affected by neck and upper limb pain (NULP) and to relate the characteristics of this type of pain with the predominantly physical, psychic and mixed workloads. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 2,297 individuals of > 20 years old, in Salvador-Brazil. A standardized questionnaire was applied to collect data about socio-demographic characteristics.  Workers were grouped according to predominantly physical, psychic and mixed workloads, and associations were verified against the characteristics of those affected in comparison to  individuals without reports of pain in the neck and upper limbs.  The prevalence of pain was estimated by the OR adjusted (95% CI). Univariate analyses and logistic regression were performed. Results: NULP was found in 222 individuals (9.47%), and predominated in women and widowers exposed to physical workloads; moderate alcohol consumption was the protector in this occupational condition; for psychic workloads, being a woman and belonging to high social class appeared to be associated with the presence of pain in the region; for mixed workloads, being single appeared as a factor with less chance of association with NULP. Conclusion: NULP presents high populational prevalence, and workloads can influence such conditions.  Being a woman or widow exposed to physical loads increase the risk of having NULP; When the worloads are psychic, the same occurs to women and people at higher social levels.  Moderate use of alcohol was associated with less chance of NULP for physical load and being single, for mixed load.