Resumen de Evaluation of the consequences of burnout and occupational stress on the physical health of teachers in schools and institutes in Malaga (Spain)

Celia Ortiz Tomé

• Objectives: To compare the level of stress and burnout of school and high school teachers in the province of Malaga (Spain) and to identify the association between the level of stress and burnout of school and high school teachers and the presence of cardiovascular, digestive and skin diseases; musculoskeletal pain and headaches; toxic habits; and alterations in physiological and biochemical variables.

  Methods: Comparative cross-sectional observational study. The scope of the study was the Occupational Risk Prevention Center of Malaga (Spain). The estimated sample was 201 teachers (91 teachers of secondary education and/or baccalaureate and 110 teachers of infant and/or primary education).

  Results: The mean figures for occupational stress and burnout were higher in those teachers who taught secondary education and/or high school than in those who taught infant and/or primary education, and these differences were statistically significant. A significant association was found between belonging to secondary education and/or baccalaureate levels and the variables role stress and musculoskeletal pain. For the remaining variables related to the presence of health disorders, toxic habits and alteration of physiological parameters, no statistically significant mean differences were found.

  Conclusions: This work represents an approach to the knowledge of how stress and burnout affect the physical health of teachers, offering itself as a tool for the development of specific prevention strategies adapted to the reality of teachers in the province.