Supawat Fungjarukul. Factors related to low back pain in flight attendants of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. Master's Degree(Industrial Hygiene and Safety). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2009-07-09.
Factors related to low back pain in flight attendants of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
Abstract:
This study was a case – control study aimed to study the factors which were
related to low back pain in flight attendants of Thai Airways International Public
Company Limited who reported for sick leaves or claimed for medical expenses from
the company between October 1, 2003- September 30, 2004. Data were collected from
140 samples (70 cases and 70 controls) by using questionnaires.
This study showed that flight attendants who had BMI in over weight were at a
higher risk of low back pain than normal BMI (OR = 33.48, 95% CI= 4.27-262.69)
and flight attendants who had BMI in under weight were at a higher risk of low back
pain than normal BMI (OR = 9.85, 95% CI= 3.11-31.18). Flight attendants who were
smoker had a higher risk of low back pain than those who were not smoking (OR =
4.00, 95% CI =1.35-11.82). Flight attendants who had previous low back pain had a
higher risk of low back pain than those who did not have previous low back pain (OR
= 3.76, 95% CI=1.16-12.19). Flight attendants who did not have training for lifting
technique had a higher risk of low back pain than those who were trained for lifting
technique (OR = 4.08, 95% CI =1.99-8.36). Flight attendants who bent during flight
more than 6 times per flight had a higher risk of low back pain (OR = 4.5, 95% CI=
1.57-12.93). Flight attendants who twisted during flight more than 15 times per flight
had a higher risk of low back pain (OR = 5.30, 95% CI =1.84-15.27). Flight attendants
who reached overhead more than 11 times per flight had a higher risk of low back pain
(OR = 2.63, 95% CI =1.18-5.88) and flight attendants who pulled/pushed drawers in
and out with difficulty more than 15 times per flight had a higher risk of low back
pain(OR=3.56, 95% CI=1.29-9.87).
From the results, it was found that BMI, smoking, previous low back pain,
training for lifting techniques, bending more than 6 times per flight, twisting more
than 15 times per flight, overhead reaching more than 11 times per flight and
pulled/pushed drawer in and out with difficultly more than 15 times were related to
low back pain in flight attendants of Thai Airways International Public Company
Limited.