Abstract

CISNEROS BLAS, Yolanda  and  RAMIREZ SANDOVAL, María de Lourdes Patricia. Prevalence of disease among academic workers at a Public University in Mexico City: health insurance data. Salud de los Trabajadores [online]. 2009, vol.17, n.2, pp.121-131. ISSN 1315-0138.

The health of academic workers has been the subject of numerous studies not only in our country, but also in Spain, Venezuela, Peru, Costa Rica, etc. This research has focused mostly on nosologic entities from a medical point of view, with general descriptions of the nature of the problem, diseases encountered, and stress. The objective of this study was to measure disease prevalence of diseases among academic workers at a Public University in Mexico City, using data from the largest health insurance company. Most affected were males, age greater than 51 years, and being married with children under 18 years of age. The study population also reported having little time for personal or family recreation. Also at risk were faculty with greater seniority, and working in the biological and health sciences. Another predisposing factor was self-imposed work demands, including working on weekends and holidays in order to obtain incentives provided by the University, resulting in physical and emotional fatigue. Psychosomatic illnesses included colitis, followed by gastritis and hypertension, without regard to gender, suggesting that all academic workers are exposed to similar health risks in this environment.

Keywords : Faculty; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Prevalence; Universities.