Upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders: Prevalence and associated ergonomic factors in an electronic assembly factory

• Authors: Somthus Pullopdissakul , Chatchai Ekpanyaskul , Sasitorn Taptagaporn , Adul Bundhukul , Arunwongse Thepchatri

Abstracts

EN

Objectives:To determine the magnitude, distribution and associated ergonomic factors of upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSD) among workers of electronic assembly in Thailand. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. 591 of 853 workers in an electronic and electrical appliance assembly factory in Bangkok, Thailand, participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic data and ergonomic factors was collected from October 2010 to January 2011. Clinical examination of each worker was performed by an occupational physician. The criteria for diagnosis of UEMSD came as a result of a consensus reached by a group of orthopedists. The associated factors were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression. Results: The point prevalence of clinically diagnosed UEMSD was as follows: radial styloid tenosynovitis - 13.03% (95% CI: 10.31-15.75), trigger finger - 9.48% (95% CI: 7.11-11.84), carpal tunnel syndrome - 8.12% (95% CI: 5.91-10.33), lateral epicondylitis - 3.38% (95% CI: 1.92-4.85), and medial epicondylitis - 1.69% (95% CI: 0.65-2.73), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio with statistical significance associated with UEMSD was as follows: high force of wrist - 1.78 (95% CI: 1.06-2.99), awkward posture of wrist - 2.37 (95% CI: 1.28-4.37) and contact stress at wrists - 1.75 (95% CI: 1.02-3.00) to develop radial styloid tenosynovitis. For trigger finger, the ratios were awkward posture of fingers - 2.09 (95% CI: 1.12-3.90) and contact stress on finger - 1.86 (95% CI: 1.04-3.34). For medial epicondylitis, it was an awkward posture of using elbows - 3.14 (95% CI: 1.10-8.95). However, this study did not find any associations between repetitive motion and any UEMSD. Conclusions: UEMSD are most commonly found in electronic assembly workers. The relevant parties should provide comprehensive ergonomic resolution for these workers.

Keywords

EN

repetitive strain injury; upper extremity; electronic assembly; ergonomic

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2013
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 751-761

Dates

published

2013

Contributors

author

Somthus Pullopdissakul

• Faculty of Medicine, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand

author

Chatchai Ekpanyaskul

• Faculty of Medicine, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand

author

Sasitorn Taptagaporn

• Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand

author

Adul Bundhukul

• Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

author

Arunwongse Thepchatri

• Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13382-013-0150-y

Biblioteka Nauki

2179078