Aim: In the working population of industrialized
countries pain complaints in general
and back pain in particular are a large and
ever-increasing public health problem. Relationships
between certain pain manifestations
and types of occupation have been discussed.
The aim of the present study was to
investigate reported pain and its characteristics
in apprentices (blue-collar and whitecollar
jobs) in a dual education system and
the sex-specificity of the reported pain.
Methods: Using a modified version of the
Luebeck Pain-Screening Questionnaire 4207,
apprentices in the dual training activities
“white-collar” and “blue-collar” aged 15–25
years were questioned as to their pain experience
within the previous 3 months. Pain characteristics
were compared between training
activities and sexes.
Results: Male apprentices in the areas of
activity “white-collar work” and “blue-collar
work” are not distinguishable in their pain
complaints or pain characteristics. Female
apprentices in the area of activity “white-collar
work” (office work) reported significantly
more often (a) headaches (43.5 % vs. 31.7 %),
(b) persistent general pain with a duration
longer than 12 months (61.0 % vs. 49.0 %),
(c) headaches with a duration longer than
12 months (60.8 % vs. 45.7 %) and (d) back
pain with a duration longer than 12 months
(62.5 % vs. 47.6 %) compared with females in
“blue-collar occupations”. Female apprentices
in the area of activity “blue-collar” reported
more often back pain (30.5 % vs. 24.3 %).
The 3-month pain prevalence of female
apprentices learning “white-collar work” and
“blue-collar work” was significantly higher
than that of male apprentices in the same
field of activity. In the area of activity “whitecollar”,
female apprentices reported more
frequent headaches, and longer duration
and higher intensity of pain than their male
colleagues. In the areas “blue-collar” and
“white-collar”, male apprentices reported significantly
more limb pain than did the female
apprentices.
Conclusions: Female apprentices in the
“white-collar” area of activity reported significantly
more frequent headaches, especially
persistent headaches and back pain than
did female apprentices in “blue-collar” and
male apprentices in “white-collar” occupations.
In contrast, the male apprentices in
“white-collar” and “blue-collar” occupations
did not differ with respect to localization,
duration, intensity and frequency of occurrence
of pain.
These results suggest that the type of
activity during apprenticeship in the areas
“white-collar” and “blue-collar” has no significant
effect on occurrence and characteristics
of pain in male apprentices. Significant differences
between the sexes in localization,
duration and intensity of reported pain in
apprentices in the areas “white-collar” and
“blue-collar” were found. Sex-specific prevention
strategies are needed (a) to reduce
pain developing during apprenticeships (b)
to prevent a potential chronic manifestation
of pain.
