1. The Prevalence of neck pain among female swing workers due to poor posture in Kurunegala district garment factories
Senarath MKID1, Rajeev PR1, Ranathunga RMRU1, Rasenthiram A1, Senavirathna SADCS 1, Senavirathna DNKM 1, Somarathna HNTM 1, Maduwanthika KSP1 and Rajarathne AAJ 2
1Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Introduction
Neck pain is the most common musculoskeletal disorder in sewing machine workers, who spend about twenty five to forty hours a week in a static position
Chair height
Grade 1 – Average
Grade 2 – Higher than the average
Grade 3 – Lower than the average
Analysis
Table 01 - Logistic regression model fitted only with significant variables
Objectives
To investigate the prevalence of neck pain among female sewing workers in Kurunegala district garment factories
To assess the relationship between neck pain and neck angle, chair, table height and other variables
To emphasis the importance of prevention of neck pain to the workers
variable
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Odd ratio
coefficient
P value
Neck
0.23
0.023
1.22
0.519
Chair
0.20
0.030
0.62
0.242
Results
Table 02 - Prevalence of Neck Pain in each garment factory (Significant level =0.05)
The prevalence of neck pain in this study was 39.64%.
Methods
Study – Analytical study
Sample - randomly selected 227 subjects from 5 garment factories
A screening questionnaire – to examine musculoskeletal and other health information
Measurements - anthropometric measurements, cervical goniometric measurements, neck angle in working position, chair and table height
Clinical examinations - performed only for pain complainers to exclude particular neurological and muscular skeletal disorders
Garment Factory
Pain
Total
Prevalence (%) 1 14 46
30.43 2 28 78
35.89 3 13
46.42 4 29 61
47.54 5 6
42.85 90
227
39.64
Conclusion
neck pain is present extensively among female sewing workers with the neck angle in working position and the chair grade two rather than other variables
Relaxation and strengthening exercises was recommended for neck pain complainers
Variables
Chair height
Age (16-35 years)
Body Mass Index
Height of the worker
Disability index
Neck angle
Tiredness level
Table height
Weight of the worker
References
Bongers, P.M., Ijmker ,S. and Heuvel, V.(2006). Journal of Rehabilitation 16,
Jhoshi, J. and Kotwal, P. (1999). The spine. Essentials of orthopedics and Applied Physiotherapy Elesevier, 386.
Schibye, B., Skov, T., Ekner, D., Christiansen, J.U. and Sjagaard, G. (1995). Musculoskeletal symptoms among sewing machine operators, Scand J Work environmental Health, 21,
Grades of the neck angle
Grade 1(0-100) – Best
Grade 2( ) - Good
Grade 3(>250) – Higher than the average