What does it consist of?
This project aims to raise awareness of the health problems suffered by housekeepers in the Balearic Islands and to contribute to improving their quality of life. The goal is to highlight health problems affecting this group and propose solutions to prevent them and improve their physical, psychological and social well-being. It also seeks to empower female workers to acquire healthy lifestyle habits to increase their quality of life.
Data
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Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera
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Govern de les Illes Balears
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Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears (IB-SALUT)
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1.273.909 €
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897.589 €
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871.008 €
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2017
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2017 - 2023
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Executed
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Training and Quality
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Executed: 97.04%
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04.03.2025
The project
Nowadays, housekeeping leads to a reduced quality of life. The physical demands of work, including repetitive tasks and awkward postures, expose female workers to an increased risk of musculoskeletal problems, chronic pain and sick leave. Moreover, lack of knowledge about the long-term effects of these working conditions contributes to the persistence of health problems.
This project aims to achieve three main objectives: generate knowledge about the health problems affecting housekeepers and their consequences; evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention, implemented in health centres and aimed at prevention and health promotion; and disseminate both the health problems identified and the results of the intervention among health professionals and society in general.
The project will be implemented over three years and will be structured in several phases:
Phase 0: Preclinical and literature review. A systematic review of existing literature on the health problems of housekeepers will be carried out with the help of experts and documentalists. This initial phase will provide a solid basis for subsequent interventions.
Phase 1: Descriptive study and modelling of the intervention. Descriptive studies will be carried out at the S'Arenal health centre and other centres in the Balearic Islands to identify the morbidity, drug use and quality of life of housekeepers. Focus groups will be conducted to provide workers with a deeper perspective on their health problems and to identify the most appropriate interventions. Preventive and health promotion interventions will take shape based on this information.
Phase 2: Pilot trial in health centres. A pilot clinical trial will be conducted in 3 intervention health centres and 3 control centres. The aim is to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of a musculoskeletal health and lifestyle intervention by comparing the results with a control group receiving normal care.
Phase 3: Extended clinical trial. The trial will be expanded to 12-15 intervention and 12-15 control health centres, with a larger sample to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Improvements in quality of life, pain reduction and reduced sick leave will be measured.
Interventions will be developed at three levels: individual, group and community. At individual level, housekeeping staff will receive personalised care at the doctor's, nurse's or physiotherapist's practice. Subsequently, group workshops will be organised for the prevention of musculoskeletal problems, healthy eating and quitting smoking. Finally, at community level, participation in activities promoting physical activity and social relations will be encouraged.
Finally, dissemination of results is a key objective. The creation of a detailed guide to the intervention for implementation in primary care practices, continuous training for professionals involved and the organisation of a Balearic Housekeeper and Health Day are planned. This will contribute to a greater awareness of the problems experienced by this group and a general improvement of their working and health conditions.Project gallery
