Akkarima Kobpron . Prevalence and factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among manufacturing and assembly employees in watch display devices industry. Master's Degree(Occupational Health and Safety). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2021.
Prevalence and factors related to musculoskeletal disorders among manufacturing and assembly employees in watch display devices industry
Abstract:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of major occupational hazards in several industrial, which are the important factors affecting worker's health today. The objective of this study was to determine the period prevalence and identify the factors related to MSDs in a watch display devices industry, Bangkok, Thailand. Cross-sectional research method was employed with 220 employees. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data in determining the period prevalence and identifying the risk factors related to MSDs. Afterward, the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to assess the ergonomic risk level among the workers who affiliated in the department with the highest period prevalence of MSDs. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to describe the data and the relationship among the personal, work and environment factors and MSDs. The results showed that the period prevalence of MSDs during the past 12 months and 7 days were 86.2% and 80.4%, respectively. The body region with abnormal symptoms was the lower back (90.0%), followed by wrists/hand (77.3%), and neck (67.3%). Additionally, the personal factor that was significantly related to MSDs was the monthly income (p=0.043). Work and environment factors that were significantly related to MSDs were work position (p=0.017), work characteristic (p=0.035), prolong activity (p=0.033), awkward posture (p=0.029), stress (p=0.018), neck bending forward posture (p=0.027), repetitive motions (p=0.016), appropriate chair height (p=0.039), lifting heavy objects (p=0.025), and training for lifting correctly (p=0.019). The results of RULA also showed that the quality inspection and polishing department had the high ergonomic risk level (60.0% and 47.6%, respectively). It is suggested to apply the results as the guideline for health promotion and work environment improvement in order to minimize MSDs among workers in different industries. For a further study, a psychosocial factor which is one of the major cause of MSDs could be studied. Moreover, the ergonomic risk assessment should use the tools with multiple ergonomic tools and appropriate for work characteristics.