This study was conducted to examine the level of physical activity for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) in blue-collar workers and to identify related factors influencing them. The subjects of this study were 180 blue-collar workers working for 12 small and mid-sized manufacturing companies in Daegu·Gyeongbuk provinces. The data was collected from February 5 to March 16, 2018 and structured questionnaires were used.
The items consisted of demographics, work related characteristics, health belief modal of the subject (susceptibility, severity, benefit, barrier),knowledge and frequency of musculoskeletal disorders prevention education, and physical activities for musculoskeletal disorders prevention.
The results of the study are as follows.
First, the demographics of the subjects and physical activity were not statistically significant but more men than women, those who were less than 50 years old, more income, no disease group showed more physical activity.
Second, there was no statistically significant difference in the working characteristics of the subjects and physical activity, but full-time workers, less than 40 hours of working time per week, no overtime, no rest time, no or low job stress, no or low musculoskeletal pain group showed more physical activity.
Third, in the obstacle of health belief modal, the practice group showed 6.64 while non-practice group showed 7.87, showing statistical significance (t=-1.70, p=.000). In knowledge, the practice group showed average 8.17 while the non-practice group was 7.67. The practice group showed higher in the score showing statistical significance (t=-2.07, p=.040). In the frequency of education for the last one year, the practice group had average 3.14 times while the non-practice group had 1.92 times. The practice group had 1 time more than the non-practice group showing statistical significance (t=-2.09, p=.039).
Fourth, logistic regression using physical activity as a dependent variable showed significant barrier (p<.05), and the lower the barrier, the more likely it was included in the practice group by 0.725 times.
In order to prevent the musculoskeletal disorders of blue-collar workers, it is necessary to develop a musculoskeletal disorders prevention program, educational development, and an environment to lower the barrier that have the greatest effect on physical activity practice.