title: Education of garment workers: prevention of work related musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: This educational intervention was designed as part of a garment worker occupational health and safety initiative, with the goal to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in this monolingual Cantonese speaking population. Using risk communication and the Chinese concepts of yin and yang, the class curriculum was designed to be participatory. It focused on linking symptoms to high risk work activities; explaining the nature of musculoskeletal injury; and encouraging compliance with self care measures of ice, stretching, and early symptom reporting. A total of 21 women completed the Healthy Work Classes, with an increase in perceived levels of energy measured after each class. Additionally, contingency contracting for both individual and workplace change was piloted. This curriculum was revised to become a "train the trainer" program, with training of garment worker leaders and the goal to disseminate this prevention based curriculum to garment workers in the Oakland, California community.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jane Chao
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pun
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Burgel
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lashuay
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000208:ethnology; D013783:Textile Industry; D016387:Women's Health