Risk Factors Associated with Trunk Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Female Flight Attendants

Details

• Personal Author:
  Lee H
• Description:
  Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) of the trunk (neck, shoulders, upper-back, and lower-back) are among the major occupational injuries and illnesses among U.S. flight attendants. The high incidence of trunk WMSDs among female flight attendants could be explained by the physical load associated with job tasks and the work organization and environment, but there have been few studies about these risk factors for potentially preventable disorders among female flight attendants. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between risk factors and WMSDs of the trunk in female flight attendants using an ecological model. A total of 185 out of 420 female flight attendants randomly selected from the union membership list responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 63%. Four mailings with one postcard reminder and two follow-up mailings occurred. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used. The results of the study revealed that a large percentage of the flight attendants had WMSDs of the trunk, especially the lower-back region. Physical load factors were found to be the strongest risk factors for trunk WMSDs. Low social support increased the risk of upper-back WMSDs, and high job insecurity increased the risk of lower-back WMSDs. Uncomfortable physical environments in the cabin related to air quality and noise were frequently reported. Uncontrollable external environmental factors, such as turbulence and terrorism threats, were also matters of much concern in this study population. Personal factors, such as long duration of employment as flight attendants and increased age, were important background information and played a role in interpreting the relationship between other risk factors and WMSDs and in providing suggestions for future studies. The findings suggest that the future planning of efficient and effective preventive strategies to reduce the risk of WMSDs focuses on these main factors. Integration of these multiple dimensions is the strength of this study, which can provide a better understanding of the multifaceted nature of WMSDs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aircraft Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Women
• Keywords:
  Aircrews Back Injuries Flight Personnel MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Neck Injuries Risk Factors Upper Extremities
• ISBN:
  9780542699559
• Publisher:
  ProQuest LLC.
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Thesis
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057587
• Citation:
  Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest LLC., 2006 Jan; :3218784
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Risk factors associated with trunk work-related musculoskeletal disorders in female flight attendants
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:07cfb50138850a6350cd6fb844e3cc4fdbac4a9c79cf0e0eb196c690bcc491bdc6cb906da4122366161f17a62830075b2b8ace9b12ecd016a54c86bb0182eb4c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214870/cdc_214870_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.03 MB ]