Psychosocial Perspectives on Working Conditions among Men and Women in Reindeer Breeding in Sweden

Objective: The aim of this project was to describe the work organisation in the Sami communities and in reindeer-herding work and to explore the range of female duties and compare how men and women experience their psychosocial working conditions. Design: A kind of intervention study was performed by means of a questionnaire sent out to 200 individuals from seven Sami communities. Questions were asked about work organisation, communication, personal relations, solitary work, support, participation and appreciation from colleagues and women's tasks. Meetings and discussions were held about what was perceived as being important in the life of the Sami communities. Notes from 16 group discussions were written down and analysed according to themes of topics relating to how men and women in the Sami communities experience their lives. Results: Communication and relations were described as being inadequate and some respondents experienced a heavy workload. The women reported more troubled relations, less participation in decision-making and less appreciation from colleagues. Positive issues reported were the Sami identity and a strong connection to the reindeer and to nature. Conclusions: This study indicates a need for a more systematic study of the psychosocial work conditions in the Sami communities in Sweden. Measures should be taken to develop the organisation of work, e.g. through developing communication strategies and conflict management, which has been requested by several Sami communities.Projektet är också finansierat via EU Mål 1 Sápmi, Norra Norrland, dnr. SN 1.43-4/03</p

Psychosocial perspectives on working conditions among men and women in reindeer breeding in Sweden

Objective: The aim of this project was to describe the work organisation in the Sami communities and in reindeer-herding work and to explore the range of female duties and compare how men and women experience their psychosocial working conditions. Design: A kind of intervention study was performed by means of a questionnaire sent out to 200 individuals from seven Sami communities. Questions were asked about work organisation, communication, personal relations, solitary work, support, participation and appreciation from colleagues and women's tasks. Meetings and discussions were held about what was perceived as being important in the life of the Sami communities. Notes from 16 group discussions were written down and analysed according to themes of topics relating to how men and women in the Sami communities experience their lives. Results: Communication and relations were described as being inadequate and some respondents experienced a heavy workload. The women reported more troubled relations, less participation in decision-making and less appreciation from colleagues. Positive issues reported were the Sami identity and a strong connection to the reindeer and to nature. Conclusions: This study indicates a need for a more systematic study of the psychosocial work conditions in the Sami communities in Sweden. Measures should be taken to develop the organisation of work, e.g. through developing communication strategies and conflict management, which has been requested by several Sami communities.Originally included in thesis in manuscript form with title: "Psychosocial perspectives on working conditions among reindeer herding Sami in Sweden". Projektet är också finansierat via EU Mål 1 Sápmi, Norra Norrland, dnr. SN 1.43-4/03</p

Substantial accuracy of fracture classification in the Swedish Fracture Register : evaluation of AO/OTA-classification in 152 ankle fractures

Introduction: Since 2011 the Swedish Fracture Register (SFR) has collected information on fracture epidemiology, treatment and outcome. More than 112 000 fractures, including 11 600 ankle fractures, have been registered so far. The accuracy of the classification is crucial when using the register in future research and quality improvement of care. In this study we examine the degree of accuracy of the AO/ OTA-classification in which ankle fractures are recorded in the SFR. Methods: 152 randomly selected ankle fractures registered in the SFR were classified independently by a reference group of three orthopedic surgeons on two occasions. The agreed AO/OTA-classification of the reference group was regarded as the gold standard classification for each case. The originally recorded classification in the SFR was subsequently compared with the classification of the reference group and accuracy calculated. Results: The agreement between the classification in the SFR and of the reference group was 74%, corresponding to kappa 0.67, 95% CI (0.58-0.76) for AO/OTA group level. An agreement of 88% equivalent to kappa 0.77, 95% CI (0.67-0.87) was noted for AO/OTA type level. The agreement corresponds to substantial according to Landis and Koch. The kappa value of inter-and intraobserver agreement ranged from 0.67 to 0.93. Conclusions: The study results show substantial agreement between classifications made in the SFR and gold standard classification. The finding is equivalent to or higher than in previous studies. Consequently, we conclude that classifications of ankle fractures in the SFR are accurate and valid