title: A program for thai rubber tappers to improve the cost of occupational health and safety.
abstract: The purposes of this research were to determine the cost of occupational health and safety and work-related health problems, accidents, injuries and illnesses in rubber tappers by implementing a program in which rubber tappers were provided training on self-care in order to reduce and prevent work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses. Data on costs for healthcare, the prevention and the treatment of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses were collected by interview using a questionnaire. The findings revealed that there was no relationship between what was spent on healthcare and the prevention of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses and that spent on the treatment of work-related accidents, injuries and illnesses. The proportion of the injured subjects after the program implementation was significantly less than that before the program implementation (p<0.001). The level of pain after the program implementation was significantly less than that before the program implementation (p<0.05). The treatment costs incurred after the program implementation were significantly less than those incurred before the program implementation (p<0.001). It was demonstrated that this program raised the health awareness of rubber tappers. It strongly empowered the leadership in health promotion for the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. phsao@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arphorn
authors.forename: Porntip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaonasuan
authors.forename: Vichai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pruktharathikul
authors.forename: Vajira
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singhakajen
authors.forename: Chalermchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaikittiporn
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012408:Rubber; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber