Predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries in a population cohort.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries using data from 4 waves of the Canadian National Population Health Survey.


METHODS
Participants were 2806 working adults who completed an abbreviated version of the Job Content Questionnaire in 1994-1995 and did not experience repetitive strain injuries prior to 2000-2001. Potential previous wave predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries were modeled via multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24, 3.18), some college or university education (OR=1.98; 95% CI=1.06, 3.70), job insecurity (OR=1.76; 95% CI=1.07, 2.91), high physical exertion levels (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.29, 3.12), and high levels of psychological demands (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.02, 2.52) were all positively associated with work-related repetitive strain injuries, whereas working less than 30 hours per week exhibited a negative association with such injuries (OR=0.2; 95% CI=0.1, 0.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Modifiable job characteristics are important predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries.
Cole
Donald C
DC
Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Ave, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E9, Canada. dcole@iwh.on.ca
Ibrahim
Selahadin
S
Shannon
Harry S
HS
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012923:Social Class