Completed questionnaires were returned by 1600 out of 2540
hospital staff (overall response rate 63%) including nurses
(72%), medical staff (20%), physical therapists (65%),
technicians (70%), secretaries (68%) and hospital aides
(81%). Most respondents were female (68Æ8%) and in the
25–34-year old age group (62Æ5%). The mean age was
28Æ02 ± 5 years. Mean hours worked per week were
45 hours and duration of employment was 6Æ04 ± 5Æ2 years.
Mean length of employment at present place of work was
3Æ5 ± 2Æ9 years, with more than half (53Æ5%) working in
their hospital for more than 4 years. Of those participating in
the study, 41Æ3% were nurses and more than half (51Æ5%)
were university graduates; 27Æ9% had at least one health
problem, the most common being musculoskeletal problems
(44Æ4%), cardiovascular problems (12Æ3%) and gastrointestinal
problems (