• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.145-159
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• 1999

To find the association, between vinyl house work and the prevalence of low back pain, a questionnaire survey was made toward 215 vinyl house farmers and 228 general farmers without vinyl house who are cared by Jungjung Community health Practioners at Soobuk Myun, Damyang-gun, Chollanamdo. 1. Vinyl house farmers were significantly younger in age, higher in educational status higher survival rate of spouse, higher economic state and less cared by medical aid than general farmers. 2. Vinyl house farmers showed shorter career for agricultural work, used modern farming instrument more frequently and worked with sitting position. 3. During unbusy season in general agriculture, vinyl house farmers consumed significantly more time in agricultural work and general activity, but no significant difference of time of the above activity among busy season. 4. During the last spring season when most vinyl house work was performed, vinyl house farmers showed significantly higher prevalence of low back pain than general farmers, but no significant difference of prevalence among the two groups for the last one week. 5. By the simple analysis statistical significant related variables with low back pain was found to be sex(p<0.001), educational status(p<0.05), work posture(p<0.001) and use of modern agricultural machine(p<0.05). 6. By the multiple logistic regression the odds ratio for low back pain among vinyl house farmers were 2.08(95% confidence interval 1.31-3.00) compared to general farmers, the odds ratio among female was 2.35(95% confidence interval 1.24-4.47) to male, the odds ratio among illiterate persons were 2.60(95% confidence interval 1.24-4.47) to high school graduate, and the odds ration among primary school graduate was 2.19(95% confidence interval 1.04-4.47) to high school graduate. In conclusion because vinyl house farmers showed significantly higher rates of low back pain compared to farmers without vinyl house, continuous study to find the true cause of low back pain among vinyl-house farmers and active effort to prevent low back pain are necessary.