Association between work posture and work-relate musculoskeletal disorders of Thai traditional medicine assistants in Mueang Tak District, Tak Province

Abstract

The Descriptive research study aims to investigate relationship between hazardous working postures and the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders due to work. The population consisted of Thai traditional medicine assistants in Mueang Tak District Tak Province, totaling 61 individuals. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of three parts: Part 1 - General information questionnaire,
Part 2 - Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and Part 3 - Standard Nordic Questionnaire for assessing musculoskeletal disorders over the past 12 months. Data were analyzed using Chi-Square, considering a
P-value less than 0.001 as statistically significant. The research findings revealed that the majority of Thai traditional medicine assistants were female (93.44%) and aged between 40-60 years (65.57%) (  = 49.57, S.D. =9.28, Max=70, Min=31). Working postures were significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders in various body parts, including the neck (   = 19.51, p-value<0.001), shoulders (   = 39.24, p-value<0.001), upper back (  = 19.34, p-value<0.001), upper arms/elbows ( = 19.02, p-value<0.001), wrists/hands ( = 19.51, p-value<0.001), lower back (  = 39.24, p-value<0.001), and hips/thighs
( = 14.59, p-value<0.001). Additionally, working postures were significantly associated with knee disorders ( = 13.19, p-value<0.001). Continuous monitoring of the behavior and working postures of Thai traditional medicine assistants is recommended, Therefore, concerted measures by management should be sought to reduce work postures that are harmful to the musculoskeletal system.