| Objective1. To explore the prevalence rates and risk factors of WMSDs ( work-related musculoskeletal disorders, WMSDs)among teachers in Chaoshan region, and provide basic evidences for the further intervention research.2. Conduct the intervention study on WMSDs among teachers and assess the intervention effects, in order to present feasible and effective measures on WMSDs prevention and control for teachers.Methods1. Using Standard Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and combining the characteristics of our own research region and subjects, we designed our own questionnaires especially for baseline survey, intervention study and effect assessment. The WMSDs symptom was self-reported and the investigations were conducted in different school with consistent methods.2. Cluster sampling method was used in the baseline survey, and the staff in 6 key schools in Pu-ning city was selected to be the research subjects. The exclusive criteria were: teachers who had musculoskeletal symptoms caused by wound, inflammation, malignant tumor, rheumatism and rheumatoid diseaseand teachers whose teaching year was less than 1 year.3. The intervention study was conducted in Shantou city, and 3 key schools were selected. The teachers were told about the objects and contents of our study, then signed consent form then participated in our research. The exclusive criteria were the same as the baseline survey.4. The intervention period was 6 months (2010.6-2011.1). The intervention measures contain ergonomic training lecture and booklets distribution. The intervention effect assessment contained prevalence rates of the 9 body parts on WMSDs, and the knowledge, attitude and behavior changes.5. The questionnaires were recorded through Epidata 3.0 software and analyzed through Spss17.0. And the main methods used during data analysis were descriptive statistical analysis, Chi-square test, t-test and Logistic regression analysis.Results1. The prevalence rates on WMSDs among teachers The body parts with the highest prevalence rates were neck, shoulder and low back in three different periods -- working life prevalence, year prevalence and week prevalence. The year prevalence at neck, shoulder and low back were 45.0%, 37.9% and 40.2% respectively. The tota year prevalence rate on WMSDs is 62.9% (at least experienced one of nine body parts’WMSDs).2. The features of teachers’working(1) Teachers’working postures were mainly sitting and standing, and also exist competitive activities at some body joints (bent, stretch and twist), but less activities with heavy load.(2) In teachers’daily working time, the time at sitting position (contain working in front of computer and marking homework) were long, and the daily exercises is not sufficient.3. The risk factors on WMSDs among teachersThere were 12 variables entered Logistic regression model. And 10 risk factors were: working years, the average working time per week, the average working hours with computer per week, the average classes number more than 12 per week(OR=1.777,95%CI=1.185～2.665), usually work overtime(OR=2.353,95%CI=1.480～3.742), cold and windy weather(OR=1.844,95%CI=1.111～3.061), usually prolonged sitting(OR=2.347,95%CI=1.521～3.622),usually prolonged working with the same posture(OR=2.369,95%CI=1.564～3.588),usually working with slightly turn-back posture(OR=2.207,95%CI=1.446～3.367)and usually working with largely turn-back poture (OR=2.343,95%CI 1.390～3.950). Protective factors contained usually slightly bending (OR=0.549,95%CI=0.360～0.838) and do exercises more than 7 hours per week(OR=0.600,95%CI=0.395～0.911).4. The effect assessment of intervention study(1) Knowledge, behavior and attitude changes: After the intervention, on the knowledge level of“the scientific posture when using computer”was statistically(χ2=30.319, p =0.000) increased from 3.6% to 61.61%. On the knowledge of“scientific posture when work sitting”, it statistically increased from 43.00% to 91.47%(χ2=18.332, p =0.000).On the knowledge of“the optimum angle of sight line to the monitor”, also showed statistically(χ2=26.888, p =0.000) increased from 9.5% to 64%.And on the knowledge of“how to correctly adjust the height of chair”, it statistically increased from 8.53% to 74.41%(χ2=188.628, p =0.000).About the behavior changes after the intervention measures: 36.50% of the teachers said they paid more attention to maintain correct posture during work“usually”or“very frequently”; 23.70% of the teachers claimed they done stretch activities“usually”or“very frequently”; 8.10～10.9% of the teachers thought there no behavior changes in their life and work. (2) Prevalence rates changes: Except the statistically significant decrease(x2=9.074,p=0.003)on twist month prevalence, there’s no statistically changes at other body parts.Conclusion1. The prevalence rate on teachers’WMSDs was not as high as workers with hard labors’, and the most severely involved body parts were neck, shoulder and back.2. The main risk factors on teachers’WMSDs was about the posture aspect, the working time, climate element. And proper exercise can protect body from WMSDs to some degree. So the prevention on WMSDs for teachers should focused on some different aspects together.3. Teachers’knowledge on WMSDs relative ergonomics and health care information are limited. Especially the ergonomically correct postures and the workstation layout were not well informed although the proportion of working with computer was increased.4. Ergonomic training (lecture and booklets) can successfully improve the teachers’knowledge and attitude level and raise their ability to identify the risk factors both in daily and work life toward WMSDs. The transform from health information to health behavior are limited, and the prevalence rate change was not obviours.In all, to prevent and control WMSDs for teachers, teacher-selves should raise their awareness towards this disease, increase healthy behavior; schools should increase relevant health information publicity, and change the poor scientific designed office furniture; the government could do further assessment about teachers’work load, and considering if it’s possible to reduce their work time such as shrink the student number of class. |
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