RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The identification of psychosocial constraints in the sector of mass retail is necessary to set up and guide preventive strategies. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the prevalence of psychosocial constraints among employees working in a large supermarket chains. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted in employees of grocery stores. The study was based on a questionnaire exploring their socio-professional characteristics and on the Karasek questionnaire. RESULTS: 245 workers participated in the study. The average age was 32.4±6.4 years. Sex-ratio was 0.84. Occupational seniority was 6.3 years (min=1 year; max=18 years). The category of employees was the most represented (56%); the cashiers and the executives represented respectively 24.5 and 19.5%. A job strain situation was observed in 28.2 % of cases. It varied significantly with occupational seniority (p=0.03). The employees and the cashiers represented the most exposed posts. A high job demands was observed in 48,2% of the cases. The employees working in a supermarket are more exposed than those working in a minimarket (p<0,001). A low job control was found in 61.2 % of cases. It was more important among the employees having a permanent employment contract (p=0.01). A low job suport was found in 65,3% of cases. A situation of isostrain was observed in 20%. CONCLUSION: According our results, workers in grocery stores are exposed to psychosocial risk factor. The implementation of strategies to reduce stress factors at work is required.
