Chronic fatigue among bank workers in Brazil

The present study examines the prevalence of chronic fatigue (CF) among bank workers in Brazil and possible associations with gender and working conditions. The study sample included all 735 workers from the department of data processing of a state bank. CF was assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale. Working conditions and socio-demographic, socio-economic and psychosocial factors at work were analysed. Psychiatric symptoms were measured with the SRQ-20. The overall estimate of the prevalence of CF was 8.7% [95% confidence intervals (95% CI) = 6.4-10.9%]: 7.8% (95% CI = 5.5-10.7%) among men and 11.0% (95% CI = 6.7-16.9%) among women. The male-female difference was not statistically significant, even after adjusting for minor psychiatric disorders. The overall prevalence of CF without minor psychiatric disorders was 4.5% (95% CI = 2.7-6.3%): 3.9% (95% CI = 1.9-5.9%) among men and 6.4% (95% CI = 2.0-10.1%) among women. In the final model, risk factors for CF were fast work speed [odds ratio (OR) = 3.5], dissatisfaction at work (OR = 3.1), minor psychiatric disorders (OR = 6.8), and medium (OR = 1.8) and heavy domestic workload (OR = 12.0). CF is common among these bank workers and is associated with psychosocial factors at work. Particularly among women, domestic workload, marital status and the presence of young children were associated with CF in the stratified analysis. Domestic workload may add physical and mental stress, putting employees at risk for CF from overload, or CF may cause workers to perceive domestic work as heavy.