• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2021

Background: Neck pain is a major public health problem among sewing machine operators working in textile factories. Even though the textile industries are growing in number in Ethiopia, but there is a dearth of published studies on the prevalence of neck pain. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of neck pain among sewing machine operators of garment factories in Mekelle city. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among 297 sewing machine operators' working in garment factories in Mekelle city. A systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 23. Finally, variables with 95% confidence interval (CI): p < 0.05 in the multivariate analysis were significantly declared. Results: Two hundred ninety-seven sewing machine operators were enrolled, with 98.7% response rates. In this study, the 12-month prevalence rate of neck pain was found to be 42.3% (95% CI: 36.6%-47.9%), and variables like such as break time [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.888, 95% CI: (2.775-12.493)], working hours per day [AOR: 6.495, 95% CI: (2.216-19.038)], static posture [AOR: 4.487, 95% CI (1.640-12.275)], and repetitive activity [AOR: 4.519, 95% CI:(2.057-9.924)] were associated with neck pain. Conclusion: In this study, neck pain is a major public health problem. Continuous work without break time, working greater than 8 hours per day, sitting in the same position for greater than 2 hours, and high repetitive activities were found significantly associated with neck pain. Owners and governmental bodies need to focus on developing preventive strategies and safety guidelines.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.1 s.41
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• pp.20-36
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• 1993

Work-related low back pain is one of the major factors that cause the loss of working power especially in actively working age, therefore controlling the work-related low back pain is one of the major issues in the field of industrial safety and health. This study was performed for detecting the risk factors and proposing the efficient control program of the work-related low back pain. The subjects were male workers employed at the manufacturing industry in Pusan with longer than 6 months' working duration. The data was collected by self-reported questionnaire and interview from May 1 to October 31,1992. The contents of questionnaire were as follows:. the experience of low back pain within the recent one month, general characteristics(age, marital status, education level, religion, regular exercise), physical characteristics(height, weight), employment status(working duration, daily working hours, rest during work, satis(action fur the job), type of work and working environments(posture, forward bending, lifting and movement, satisfaction for table and chair). The result was analyzed for 608 entire respondents by case-control comparative method. The number of cases was 152 with a history of work-related low back pain, so the relative frequency of self-reported work-related low back pain was 25.0%, and the number of controls was 344 without any history of low back pain. As a result, two characteristics of the employment status(working duration, satisfaction fur the job) and all characteristics of type of work and working environments showed a statistical significance between the case and control groups(p<0.01). The Oddb ratios of these variables for Work-related low back pain were calculated. They were 7.88 for the satisfaction fur chair, 7.86 for lifting and movement,3.31 for satisfaction for table, and 2.22 fur bending forward(p<0.01). And for the multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that unsatisfaction for table was independent risk factor for Work-related low back pain. In summary, though this study was based upon the self-reported questionnaire and the subjective complaints, the satisfaction for chair, lifting and movement, satisfaction for table, and bending forward concerned with the type of work and working environments were considered as the main factors causing the work-related low back pain, and the work-related low back pain may be preventable by the ergonomic control of these factors.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.623-630
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• 2020

Objective : A primary degenerative sagittal imbalance has been considered because of unique lifestyles such as the prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Previous papers have reported that sagittal imbalance disease is often seen distinctly in the farming districts of "oriental" countries such as Korea and Japan. However, this finding was only evaluated with the use of X-ray, and other factors such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle volume, compression fracture, and laboratory results were not considered. Thus, using these, we evaluate the agricultural work-associated factors for Korean elderly spinal sagittal imbalance. Methods : We recruited 103 Korean participants who had a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of >5 cm in this Korean Elderly Sagittal Imbalance Cohort Study. The following were evaluated : radiological parameters, MRI, compression fracture, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide, osteocalcin, bone mineral density and muscle fatty change, muscle volume, and health-related quality of life from patients' survey. Moreover, in this survey, the farmers' annual working hours were investigated. Subsequently, we analyzed the associated factors for spinal sagittal imbalance depending on occupation. Results : A total of 46 participants were farmers, and the others were housewives, sellers, and office workers. The farmer group had more SVA (141 vs. 99 mm, p=0.001) and pelvic tilt (31° vs. 24°, p=0.004) and lesser lumbar lordosis (20° vs. 30°, p=0.009) and thoracic kyphosis (24° vs. 33°, p=0.03) than non-farmer group. A significantly positive correlation was noted between the working hour and SVA in the farmer group (p=0.014). The visual analogue scale score for back pain (8.26 vs. 6.96, p=0.008) and Oswestry Disability Index (23.5 vs. 19.1, p=0.003) in the farmer group were higher than that in the non-farmer group, but the Short Form-36 score was not significantly different between the two groups. The Mini-Mental State Exam score was significantly lower in the farmer group than in the non-farmer group (24.85 vs. 26.98, p=0.002). Conclusion : The farmer group had more sagittal imbalance and back pain in proportion to the working hours even though the muscle and bone factors and general laboratory condition were not significantly different between the two groups. These results supported that the long hours spent in the crouched posture while performing agricultural work were a risk factor for severe sagittal imbalance.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2010

Recent studies suggest that prolonged standing at work is associated with varicose veins (VV). The objective of this study was to analyze the differences of VV risk in terms of work types in casino dealers and hotel service workers. Symptoms of VV were evaluated using a self-reported questionnaire from 2,092 participants, and muscle fatigue in the lower legs were evaluated using surface electromyography. The shift rate of median frequency in Gastrocnemius was -30.0% among the casino dealers working in prolonged static standing posture, and - 14.3% among the casino dealers sitting during working time. After adjusting age, gender, smoking, and family history of VV, the risk ratio of VV was 3.67(95% CI 2.03-6.59) in group I (prolonged standing and occasional walking at work), 6.29(95% CI 3.48-11.35) in group II (prolonged standing, occasional walking and heavy lifting at work), and 8.07(95% CI 4.51-14.43) in groupIII(prolonged static standing at work). In conclusion, prolonged standing at work may be a work related risk factor of VV.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.528-537
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• 2007

The aims of this study was to provide useful informations to the uniform industries to promote the production of the functional and esthetical goods. The subjects of this study were the 243 department woman employees in Daegu City. The data were analysed through factor analysis, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe-test, $x^2$-test, and t-test. The result were as follows; The ages were from 20 to 50 years old, and their working divisions were clothing (46.5%), food (18.1%), miscellaneous (14.4%), daily articles (11.1%). The evaluation of characteristics of their uniform was somewhat unsatisfactory (2.65) and showed the significant differences among the age groups. The unsatisfaction of blouse materials (2.11) were the highest among the evaluation of the materials, and the inconveniency of sitting posture with folding knees were the highest (3.98) and showed the significant differences among the working division groups. The significant differences of the fitness were showed in the sleeve length of blouse, the length of vest, and the length of trousers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.383-392
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• 2014

Purpose: In this study, we sought to understand the risk factor for chronic disease of workers by studying the association between occupational standing time and metabolic syndrome(MetS) in full-time 300 male workers. Materials: Data on age, life habit, work related information of the subjects were surveyed using self-reported questionnaire and interview. MetS was identified based on the report of Alberti et al.(2009). As for the data analysis, SPSS 19.0 was used to conduct the descriptive statistic, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Daily working hour affects on the lifting heavy objects, running and strenuous exercise(r=-0.137, p<0.01), and total physical function decreased with the increase in age(r=-0.145, p<0.01). Also, obese was significantly associated with genuflection and bend over(r=-0.110, p<0.05). On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnostic indices of MetS, occupational standing time were significantly associated with waist circumference(odds ratio=0.885, ${\beta}$ value=-0.122, 95% CI=0.797-0.983, p<0.05) and triglyceride (odds ratio=0.873, ${\beta}$ value=-0.136, 95% CI=0.800-0.953, p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that the working posture may be important risk factor in pathogenesis and growing of MetS and cardiovascular disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 1992

This study was carried out by using questionnaires with 230 lumbago patients who visited the general hospitals, orthopedic clinics, neurosurgery clinics and physical treatment centers in Taequ. Korea for one month from December 20, 1991 to January 20, 1992. The result of this study is summarized as follows. 1. 203 patients consisted of 113 males and 90 females, while 65 patients were was which was the highest percentage. 2. The relation between their occupational properties and lumbago indicated that there was significant relation in their total employed period, job hours, monthly average incomes(P<0.01), job satisfaction, working posture, mental stress(P<0.01), excessive usage of bark during working, lifting of heavy thing and serious noises. 3. The relation between social properties and lunbago showed that there was a remarkable relation in their introspective character(P<0.05). daily average riding hour(P<0.05), smoking(P<0.01), drinking(P<0.01) and insufficient physical exercise. 4. The relation between the clinical properties and lunbago indicated that the lumbago was mainly caused by lifting the heavy thing, which was continued fur three months or longer. And, it was shown that they consider the lumbago as one of serious diseases. In addition. they positively evaluated their physical treatment. Therefore, it is required to accomplish the comprehensive treatment of this lumbago on the basis of the educational contents centering around its prevention by performing more suitable health education.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.412-422
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the job characteristics and health status of sales and service workers at micro-enterprises. Methods: Multivariate analyses were conducted using data on respondents to the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey who were business owners (7,572 persons) or employees (3,317) working in sales or service positions at micro-enterprises. Results: Among those analyzed, business owners were found to experience worse health conditions than employees. Business owners also differed from workers in terms of job characteristics. More than employees, they engaged in tiring or painful postures that negatively affected subjective health condition, experience of muscle pain, and experience of depression or anxiety. While employees' health was negatively affected by dealing with angry customers, the health status of business owners was negatively affected even by dealing with ordinary customers. Conclusions: These results show that the owners of micro-enterprises were in a more vulnerable state of health rather than their employees. In order to address this, it is necessary to correct work posture and reduce the stresses that come from customers.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.151-162
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• 2022

This study was conducted to develop a rail-type boom sprayer, performing safe spraying with improved ergonomic postures during pesticide spraying of agro-photovoltaic power system. The sprayer was designed to reduce labor cost and to be safe from pesticide exposure, and was analyzed through a comparison with a conventional spray method. The rail-type boom sprayer, consisted of a self-propelled spray and hose winder, hose, and boom sprayer parts, was designed to automatically pull and spray in the vertical and horizontal directions. The performance of the sprayer for an agro-photovoltaic power system was appropriate. From the analysis of postures with the Ovako Working posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methods, the musculoskeletal risk factors to the body using the rail-type boom sprayer were less than those with the conventional power sprayer. In addition, the possibility of pesticide poisoning was reduced compared to the conventional power sprayer. The working capacity with the rail-type boom sprayer was more than five times greater, compared with the conventional power sprayer. After performing pesticide spraying with the rail-type boom sprayer, the labor cost was reduced to 42,750 won·yr^-1, which was 90% (402,750 won·yr^-1) less than the cost with the use of a conventional power sprayer (445,500 won·yr^-1).

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.209-219
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• 2019

Objectives: This study investigated musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to the working environment (job stress) of dental hygienists and examine their relationship with upper limb functions. Methods: The subjects include 198 dental hygienists in dental hospitals and dental clinics in Pusan and Gyeongnam. The questionnaire was consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs and function (Disability Measurement Tool for Upper Extremity Disorders-11, DASH-11). Results: The study was analyzed their musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to their general characteristics and found that the symptoms occurred in the neck (39.4%), the shoulders (54.6%), elbows (14.7%), and the hands (50.0%). Job stress was associated with upper limb functions (DASH-11) (model 3, B=5.210, p=0.012) and repeated elbow bending and spreading posture was associated with DASH-11 (model 3, B=6.561, p=0.029). Elbow symptoms were associated with DASH-11 in the upper limbs (B=10.679, p=0.003). Conclusion: Dental hygienists are experiencing limitations of upper limb function due to job stress. In particular, even if the correction of their uncomfortable posture is significantly related to the job stress and upper limb function, in order to improve the upper limb function of the dental hygienist, efforts to reduce the job stress as well as the uncomfortable posture are necessary.