The purpose of this study is provide a basic data for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal symptoms in Korea seamen. 569 seamen´s questionnaire had been acquired at Korea Marine Training and Research Institute from February 24 to March 31 in 1997. The results of this study were as follows;
Prevalence in musculoskeletal symptom within recent 12 months was 68.5%. It was 76.3% in seamen who had graduated from colleges or universities and 56.0% in seamen who had graduated from elementary school(p<0.01). The more working hours(p<0.01), services on the vessel(p<0.01), and the less job satisfaction(p<0.05), the higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were. The distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms by the part of the body was turned out as Back ; 43.6%, knee ; 23.9%, shoulder ; 19.3%. The officers had more frequency of symptom around the neck than the ratings(p<0.01) and the seamen who work at the engine room were more frequent in elbow than those at deck department(p<0.05). In the duration of pain, 55.4% were less than one week, 20.6% less than 30 days, and 24.0% 30 days and more. the cause of symptom was turned out as 34.5% by excessive hard work and 30.1% was unknown. For the treatment of the musculoskeletal symptoms, 40.3% with symptomes did not have any medical treatment, 27.6% was self-treated and 22.7% was treated at hospital.
This study shows that musculoskeletal disorders are seamen´s important health problem and they can not properly take medical service due to the out of home for a long period as characteristics of occupation.
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