ABSTRACT
It is estimated that the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) prevents between 1,100 and 3,900 cases of cervical cancer each year (Sasieni et al. 1996). The microscopy work of cytology screeners requires them to adopt fixed postures, perform repetitive movements with their hands, and to perform close intensive visual work. They have therefore been found to suffer from job related discomfort, 84% in Sweden (Karlquist and Tapio, 1980) and 78% in the UK (Hopper et al., 1997). Discomfort is most prevalent in the neck, shoulders, wrists and back (Hopper et al., 1997, Rizzo et al., 1992). Kalavar and Hunting (1996) found that screeners working for over 6 hours per day had a greater prevalence of musculo-skeletal symptoms than those working for shorter time periods. Cytology screeners also report visual problems (Karlqvist and Tapio, 1980, Hopper et al.1997). Soderberg et al (1983) found that 80% of microscope operators experienced visual strain and this increased with the time spent using a microscope. It is important to understand exactly when and how cytology screeners become fatigued throughout the day to ensure that appropriate breaks are taken. This is important for the health of the cytology screener and also for the women being screened
Method
Six cytology screeners from a Hospital Cytology Department participated in the study. They were monitored for four days while undertaking their normal screening duties. All the participants worked for two and a half hours, had a 15 minute break and then worked another two hours and twenty minutes. They then had a half hour lunch break and worked for one hour before finishing their shift.
