일부 농어촌 지역 치과위생사의 근골격계 질환에 관한 조사연구 - 경상북도 포항지역을 중심으로 -

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between career and musculoskeletal diseases in clinical dental hygienists, develop a plan for good postural correction and preventive management and measures against musculoskeletal system diseases, and provide basic data necessary for education in health management and promotion; for this purpose, a structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to conduct a survey in clinical dental hygienists at dental clinics and hospitals in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province from January to June 2022 and 220 copies were finally analyzed. For data analysis, an SPSS 25.0 Version program was used to perform frequency analysis for the job-related characteristics, presence of musculoskeletal symptoms, and methods of coping with pain and cross-tabulation analysis for experience of pain for the past year, concurrence of pain, pain site, and experience of pain manifestation by career. The most frequent length of career was 4-9 years; the majority of the respondents gave medical examinations and treatments while working an average of 8-9 hours per day. The most frequent degree of physical burden was bearable (52.3%), followed by somewhat high (35.4%) and very high (12.3%); the weekly average number of times for scaling was ≤5 in many cases. 70.0% felt pain or discomfort related to their work in terms of the musculoskeletal symptoms for the past year; the most frequent method of coping with pain during work was to change posture; 20.3% used self-care for pain; and 18.3% endured it. 63.4% of the respondents with 1-3 years, 75.8% of those with 4-9 years of career, and 72.1% of those with ≥10 years of career experienced pain. The respondents with 1-3 and 4-9 years of career were more likely to experience pain in the arms and those with ≥10 years of career were more likely to experience pain in the neck and arms. Pain in the legs and feet differed significantly by career: the respondents with 1-3 and 4-9 years of career experienced pain in both legs and feet and those with ≥10 years of career experienced pain in the left leg and foot. The respondents with 1-3 years of career were more likely to have moderate pain, those with 4-9 years of career mild pain, and those with ≥10 years of career mild and moderate pain. On the basis of these results, it is necessary to provide specific education through continuing education, relevant seminars with the objective of recognizing the seriousness of musculoskeletal disease and its prevention; individuals need to make efforts to avoid repeated use of muscles or joints and maintain good posture through environmental improvement and construction.