The relationship between occupational stress and health status, temporary and permanent work disability among security guards in Serbia.

PURPOSE: To examine the influence of occupational stress on health status and work disability among security guards in Serbia.

METHODS: 399 male security guards (aged 25-65 years) were examined during their regular medical preventive check-ups at the Institute of occupational health. Data on their health status and permanent and temporary work disability were obtained, and correlations with the levels of occupational stress (measured by Occupational Stress Index- OSI questionnaire by K.Belkić), were analysed.

RESULTS: The high prevalence of health impairments, including diabetes (38.8%), dyslipidaemia (82.7%), hypertension (69.9%) and metabolic syndrome (77.7%), was found. The highly-significant correlations were shown between reported levels of total stress at work (total OSI score) and measured values of glucose, lipids, blood pressure, heart rate, Framingham cardiovascular risk scale, occurrence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular insults, degenerative eye-fundus changes, and temporary and permanent work disability. All these correlations remained significant even after adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI) and smoking status. Regression analysis confirmed the independent effect of occupational stress on the analysed parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant independent impact of occupational stress on development of health impairments and work disability among security guards.