title: Musculoskeletal disorders among Thai women in construction-related work.
abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and its risk factors among women rebar workers. A simple random sampling method was used and data were collected by face-to-face interview and ergonomic assessment from February to March 2011. A total of 272 women rebar workers with at least 6 months' job experience participated in this study. The findings revealed that 57.7% of workers reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms with low back and shoulders as the most common body parts affected (46.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated 2 variables that are significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders: prolonged working hours (adjusted odds ratio = 7.63; 95% confidence interval = 2.06-28.31) and awkward posture (adjusted odds ratio = 43.79; 95% confidence interval = 17.09-112.20). The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among women rebar workers suggests that an appropriate ergonomic workstation design and ergonomic training for women rebar workers are necessary.
authors.affiliation: 1Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Suda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanklang
authors.forename: Orawan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaewboonchoo
authors.forename: Pimpan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silpasuwan
authors.forename: Suriyaphun S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mungarndee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060389:Construction Industry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014931:Women, Working / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data