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A Prevalence Study of Work-Related Health Complaints in Wellington and Auckland

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posted on 2022-08-26, 07:31 authored by K Cleaver, Robyn PhippsRobyn Phipps, C Parker
The Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is the occurrence of acute health and comfort systems linked to the occupancy of a building. To assess the prevalence of SBS in New Zealand office environments, 1200 office personnel were randomly selected from the 1995 Wellington and Auckland regions of the New Zealand General Electoral Role. A questionaire study was used to investigate work related symptoms. A response rate of 44.25% (506respondents) was achieved. The most common self-reported symptoms were lethargy/tiredness (50.3%), concentration difficulties (44.9%), headache (38%) and nasal irritation 03-9%). Female respondents reported higher number of work-related symptoms of all symptom categories. Location did not make a difference to symptoms reported. Work-related symptom prevalence was higher for clerical/secretarial roles than managerial roles. Respondents with a predisposition to asthma, hayfever and eczema reported increased symptoms in comparison to non-atopic respondents. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

History

Preferred citation

Cleaver, K., Phipps, R. & Parker, C. (2000). A Prevalence Study of Work-Related Health Complaints in Wellington and Auckland. Architectural Science Review, 43(3), 159-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2000.9696899

Journal title

Architectural Science Review

Volume

43

Issue

3

Publication date

2000-09-01

Pagination

159-163

Publisher

Informa UK Limited

Publication status

Published

ISSN

0003-8628

eISSN

1758-9622

Language

en