• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3552-3560
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• 2012

This study was conducted to find out the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder and its related factors from male manufacturing workers at a nonferrous manufacturing industry. As for the research subjects, 302 workers selected from a nonferrous manufacturer located in Daejeon City, and as for the collection of data, a standardized anonymous questionnaire survey were conducted from May 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011. As a results, the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorders by each body part, the symptom of shoulders was 42.7%, the highest rate, followed by the waist, 36.8%, the neck and the hand/wrist/finger, 30.5% respectively, the leg and foot, 30.1% and arm/elbow, 20.9%. The complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the sociodemographic characteristics was significantly high as survey participants' age and BMI were low and in the group having low subjective health condition. The complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the health-related behavior characteristics was significantly high in the group having been absent from work due for diseases, in the group having received outpatient services, in the group having been hospitalized for treatment, in the group not having a regular exercise and in the group having insufficient sleeping hours. Finally, the complaint rate of musculo-skeletal disorder for the job-related characteristics was significantly high in the group suffering from the physical burden of their work, in the group working while bending at the waist and in the group carrying out repetitive tasks.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 1999

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA) in vehicle assembly line workers. The goal of this study is to show the feasibility of RULA as a checklist for work related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSDs) in Korean workers. Methods. The total number of 199 people from the department of assembly and 115 people from the department of Quality Control(QC) in automotive plant were subjects for this cross sectional study. A standard symptom questionnaire survey has been used for the individual characteristics, work history, musculosketal symptoms and non-occupational covariates. The data were obtained by applying one-on-one interview for the all subjects. RULA has been applied for ergonomic work posture analysis and the primary ergonomic risk sure was computed by RULA method. Association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and RULA were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 314 workers was examined. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH case definition was 62.4%. The distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms by the part of the body turned out to be following; back:41.4%, neck: 32.8%, shoulder: 26.4%, arm: 10.5% and hand:29.3%. The relationship of the individual RULA scores were statistically significant for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. As the result of the multiple logistic regressioin analysis, grand final score (OR=2.250 95% CI: 1.402-3.612) was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in any part of the body.; upper arm score(OR=1.786 95% CI: 1.036-3.079) and posture score A(OR=1.634 95% CI: 1.016-2.626) in neck; muscel use score(OR=3.076 95% CI:1.782-5.310) and posture score A(OR=1.798 95% CI: 1.072-3.017) in shoulder; upper arm score(OR=1.715 95% CI: 1.083-2.715) and muscel use score(OR=2.057 95% CI:1.303-3.248) in neck & shoulder; muscle use score(OR=10.662 95% CI: 3.180-35.742) in arm; writst/wist score(OR=2.068 95% CI: 1.130-3.786) and muscle use score(OR=2.215 95% CI: 1.284-3.819) in hand & wrist.; muscle use score of trunk (OR=2.601 95% CI: 1.147-5.901) in back. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the extremities were strongly associated with individual RULA body score. These results show that RULA can be used as a useful assessment tool for the evaluation of musculoskeletal loading which is known to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RULA also can be used as a screening tool or incorporated into a wider ergonomic assessment of epidemiological, physical, mental, environmental and organizational factors. As shown in this study, complement of the analysis system for the other risk factors and characterizing between the upper limb and back part will be needed for future work.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.6627-6640
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• 2015

This study was performed to determine the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and its association with related factors among manufacturing workers. The self-administered questionnaires were given to 856 male with 50 or less employees in manufacturing industries. As a results, complaint rates of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of the body sites was 61.2% for shoulders, 55.4% for low back, 55.3% for neck, 38.6%, for legs/feet, 32.2% for hands/wrists/fingers and 26.9% for arms/elbows. In logistic regression analysis of significant factors related with musculoskeletal symptoms of body sites, neck was related with marital status, subjective health status, smoking, drinking coffee and occupational stress, shoulders was related with job tenure, shift work, visiting out-patient department and occupational stress, arms/elbows was related with sleeping time, experience of sick absence and occupational stress, hands/wrists/fingers was related with age, smoking, drinking coffee, working hour, job position, job tenure, visiting out-patient department and occupational stress, low back was related with educational level, BMI, sleeping time, job position, job tenure, visiting out-patient department and occupational stress and legs/feet was related with marital status, job position, job tenure, history of hospitalization and occupational stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.289-299
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• 2007

Objectives : To investigate the related factors on musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean female workers. Methods : A total of 1,875 female workers (1,002 office workers and 873 blue-collar workers) was analyzed. They were randomly selected among female workers by cluster sampling and interviewed by well trained interviewer, who filled out a structured questionnaire on the musculoskeletal symptoms. Other factors such as general and occupational characteristics including workplace location, employment condition, work duration, and working condition were also investigated. Results : Current smokers and drinkers were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working full time were significantly more common in blue-collar workers than in office workers. Those working over 8 hours per day were also popular in office workers than in blue-collar workers. Subjective musculoskeletal symptoms were significantly higher in the type of work including excessive repetitive work, work using awkward stretching hand upwards, work using repetitive wrist movements, static work using awkward hand posture, and heavy manual lifting and handling works. The mean score of the symptoms were significantly higher in blue-collar than in office workers. The significantly different working factors between two groups were work duration, employment condition and daily work hours. Conclusion : We suggest that the type of work including awkward and repetitive works as well as job type may be one of the most important factors related to musculoskeletal symptoms of female workers in the workplace. Preventive strategy will be needed to prevent the negative impact on health status of working women in the workplace.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.6461-6468
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• 2013

This research is conducted to investigate musculoskeletal diseases' that can be developed in paramedics body whose are in charge of emergency situations before they arrive at the hospital. The data were collected from 216 of paramedics from July 2, 2012 to July 31, 2012. As a result, 57.9% of participants have already felt the subjective symptoms of the muscular skeletal diseases, and 47.2% of them felt the pain on their waists and hips. These pains are highly related to their working situations. In the aspects of the muscuoskeletal diseases' symptoms, general characteristics, gender (t=16.579, p=.000), age (t=102.344, p=.000), education (t=5.363, p=.027), drinking (t=6.999, p=.030), and smoking (t=6.266, p=.009), have significance differences. Professional characteristics, career (t=67.684, p=.000), passengers of the ambulance (t=7.717, p=.004), qualification or license (t=25.480, p=.000), and position (t=74.615, p=.000), have also significance differences.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.336-344
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• 2017

This study was conducted to identify factors related to the musculoskeletal symptoms of 340 family caregivers who have a patient with brain damage based on self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires included general characteristics, characteristics of care activities and caregivers' musculoskeletal symptoms. Data were collected from many long-term care hospitals and rehabilitation centers during March 17 to March 21, 2014. The results indicated that complaint rates of work-related musculoskeletal systems of the body sites differed. Factor analysis revealed that neck complaints were related to education (under mid), while shoulder complaints were related to sex (female), age (50-59), education (mid) and duration of care (< 2 years). Arm/elbow complaints were related to age (40-49), education (high) and duration of care (12-24). Complaints regarding the hand/wrist/finger were related to age (50-59) and duration of care (12-24), while those associated with the legs/feet were related to age (50-59) and duration of care (< 6[ED highlight - years? Please specify.]). Back problems were related to education (under mid, mid stage, high) and gait. The complaint rate regarding musculoskeletal symptoms during daily life was not statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis of significant factors related to subjective musculoskeletal symptoms identified ambulation and gait as having the greatest influence and complaint factor among family caregivers. The complaint rate of family caregivers differed among body parts. Being a caregiver for less than one year was found to have a significant impact on pain. Overall, long term family caregivers could be faced with risk factors for musculoskeletal problems, but there are many different factors that affect musculoskeletal symptoms with regards to their activities. Accordingly, comprehensive and systematic prevention plans for family caregivers who have patients with brain damage should be developed.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-79
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• 2012

Objectives : The study was carried out to find out the experience of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms of dental hygienists and evaluate the risk with ergonomic evaluation method(RULA). Methods : The subjects in this study were 344 dental hygienists working at dental clinics and general hospitals in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Daejeon and Chungnam/Chungbuk. The data were collected through the self-questionnaire survey from July 26th 2010 to September 30th 2010. Results : The results showed that those who working at dental hospital, network dental clinics, with 1-5 years of clinical experience, long working hour and sitting hour, no rest hour, more physical and mental burden had higher rate of the experience of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms compared with other groups. The final score of RULA evaluation results was 6 on average requiring continuous observation and urgent demand for work improvements. According to the result of RULA evaluation by work, the orthodontic clinics were 4.5, prosthodontic clinics were 5.0, and dental surgery clinics were 6.8 being the most risky. Conclusions : The study showed high complaints rate on musculoskeletal disorders in dental hygienists. Thus, various measures including provision of proper working and rest hours, use of ergonomic working equipments, strengthening the health education for desirable working posture and the development of musculoskeletal disorder prevention program should be needed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 2008

In order to study the occurrence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of radio-technologists employed at metropolitan general hospitals and the factors that influence such occurrence, standardized questionnaire by NIOSH that was modified and supplemented to be suitable for conditions in Korea was used. Answers collected from 143 radio-technologists in two weeks from June 13, 2007 were analyzed and the results are as follows. Factor that influence symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders by area were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis and the results found that in the neck area, risk increased as the burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.94) and burdening work category 9(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=4.72) increased. In the shoulder region, risk increased as burdening work category 2(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.36), burdening work category 7(Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.90), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=5.76) increased. In the arm/hand/wrist regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=6.91), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=3.76) increased. In the lower back region, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.06), and burdening work category 8 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=8.14) increased. In the leg/knees/foot regions, risk increased as burdening work category 2 (Korea ministry of labor) (OR=3.63), and burdening work category 9 (Korea ministry of labor)(OR=2.96) increased. Conclusively, in factors that influence musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in radio-technologists, influence of subjective health conditions, total work experience, experience in current division, and burdening work category 2, 7, 8, and 9 (Korea ministry of labor) were most significant. Therefore, for preventive management, in addition to ergonomic and educational intervention for correcting improper posture during work, efforts for break time adjustment and stress reduction is needed, and encouragement and support for regular exercise is needed.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.235-245
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• 2005

The changes in korean economic environment, from quantitative to qualitative growth of economy, go with making desperate efforts, that is, companies have put through many technical improvements, quality control, improvement of service, and so forth. Enterprises cut the number of employees through labor-management adjustment, so that a shortage of labor caused. An increase in intension of labor brought about growing the proportion of occupational diseases which is musculoskeletal diseases. Because of a rapid change in society and a change in our circumstances, we have many difficulties in examine a business disease closely. In support corroboration of relevance on admission of business, a criterion for dudging afford a basis for a causal relationship of medical science, take the state of working conditions into consideration, and at the same time, give a adaptable decision based on the purpose and point of "The Labor Standard Law" as well as "The Law about Industrial Accident Compensation insurance". In conclusion, it is necessary for the dental hygienists 10 reduce the on-duty hours a day, to make good postures in working, and to remove the stressful conditions in order to reduce the incidence of the lumbago. Good working postures, appropriate rest time, and early detection, care and education of the lumbago could be recommended for the dental hygienists.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between work-related characteristics and job stressors and the factors influencing musculoskeletal symptoms of the warehouse employees. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Data were collected from 319 warehouse employees who agreed to participate in the study by using self-report questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, $x^2-test$, and logistic regression analysis (SPSS 18.0). Results: The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 37.6%. The logistic regression analysis revealed a posture that renders fatigue or pain, repetitive work, and a higher total score of job stressors as the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in many body parts. Conclusion: Employers should plan to educate employees who work in warehouses about the correct working posture to prevent musculoskeletal diseases, stop repetitive work, and manage job stressors.