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Risk factors for repetitive strain injuries among school teachers in Thailand

Issue title: IEA 2012: 18th World congress on Ergonomics - Designing a sustainable future

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Chaiklieng, Sunisa; | Suggaravetsiri, Pornnapa

Affiliations: Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Muang Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand | Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand | Back, Neck and other Joint Research Group, Khon Kean University, Thailand

Note: [] Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders, ergonomics, prevalence

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0491-2510

Journal: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2510-2515, 2012

Published: 2012
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Abstract

Prolonged posture, static works and repetition are previously reported as the cause of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) among workers including teachers. This cross-sectional analytic study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of RSIs among school teachers. Participants were 452 full-time school teachers in Thailand. Data were collected by the structural questionnaires, illuminance measurements and the physical fitness tests. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics which were Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used. Most teachers in this study were females (57.3%), the mean years of work experience was 22.6 ± 10.4 years. The six-month prevalence of RSIs was 73.7%. The univariate analysis identified the related risk factors to RSIs which were chronic disease (OR=1.8; 95% CI = 1.16-2.73), history of trauma (OR=2.0; 95% CI = 1.02-4.01), member of family had RSIs (OR=2.0; 95% CI = 1.02- 4.01), stretch to write on board (OR=1.7; 95% CI = 1.06-1.70) and high heel shoe >2 inch (OR=1.6; 95% CI = 1.03-2.51). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chronic diseases and high heel shoe >2 inch significantly related to developing of RSIs. The poor grip strength and back muscle flexibility significantly affected RSIs of teachers. In conclusions, RSIs were highly prevalent in school teachers that they should be aware of health promotion to prevent RSIs.

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