J Agric Med Community Health.  2019 Dec;44(4):209-219. 10.5393/JAMCH.2019.44.4.209.

Risk Assessment and Intervention of Ergonomic Risk Factor in Beekeeping

• Kwon YJ
• Kang YJ
• Seo SH
• Kim B
• Park KS

• KMID: 2470086
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2019.44.4.209

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study investigated musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to the working environment (job stress) of dental hygienists and examine their relationship with upper limb functions.
METHODS
The subjects include 198 dental hygienists in dental hospitals and dental clinics in Pusan and Gyeongnam. The questionnaire was consisted of general characteristics of the subjects, job stress, musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs and function (Disability Measurement Tool for Upper Extremity Disorders-11, DASH-11).
RESULTS
The study was analyzed their musculoskeletal symptoms in upper limbs according to their general characteristics and found that the symptoms occurred in the neck (39.4%), the shoulders (54.6%), elbows (14.7%), and the hands (50.0%). Job stress was associated with upper limb functions (DASH-11) (model 3, B=5.210, p=0.012) and repeated elbow bending and spreading posture was associated with DASH-11 (model 3, B=6.561, p=0.029). Elbow symptoms were associated with DASH-11 in the upper limbs (B=10.679, p=0.003).
CONCLUSION
Dental hygienists are experiencing limitations of upper limb function due to job stress. In particular, even if the correction of their uncomfortable posture is significantly related to the job stress and upper limb function, in order to improve the upper limb function of the dental hygienist, efforts to reduce the job stress as well as the uncomfortable posture are necessary.

Keyword

Dental hygienist; Posture; Job stress; Function

MeSH Terms

Beekeeping*
Busan
Dental Clinics
Dental Hygienists
Elbow
Hand
Humans
Neck
Posture
Risk Assessment*
Risk Factors*
Shoulder
Upper Extremity