Estrés, fatiga y somnolencia en trabajadores del área de producción de una empresa farmacéutica en México. Stress, fatigue and sleepiness in production area workers of a pharmaceutical company

The purpose of this study was the detection of stress, fatigue and sleepiness in relation to work process in a group of workers in the production area of an international pharmaceutical company. This industry was selected because of its reliance on a high tech production processthat requires continuous cycles of activity, exposing persons to extreme workday hours and extended shifts. Other risk factors include the use of potentially toxic raw materials, operating machinery requiring awkward postures that may produce musculoskeletal disorders, and the application fo quality control measures that may produce stress or mental fatigue. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study based on a randomly selected sample of 85 production area workers, or 35% of the total workforce. The instruments used were an individual survey and a guide to facilitate the observation of work practices. In addition to the valuable information obtained by studying this industry and its workers, the prevalence of fatigue and sleepiness was 25% and stress was 20%. Fatigue was significantly associated with exposure to noise and temperature changes. Somnolence was associated with overtime work and having to meet a production quota, which added to a perception of having a dangerous job that affects health. Stress was significantly associated with job title and shift, in addition to receiving confusing orders from supervisors.