Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Related Factors for Nurses and Radiological Technologists Wearing a Lead Apron for Radiation Protection.
- Author:
Jung Im YOO
1
;
Jung Wan KOO
Author Information
1. Angio Unit, Team of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Musculoskeletal symptoms;
Nurses and radiological technologists;
Lead apron
- MeSH:
Cardiac Catheterization;
Cardiac Catheters;
Catheterization;
Catheters;
Logistic Models;
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.);
Questionnaires;
Radiation Protection*;
Shoulder
- From:Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2004;16(2):166-177
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: To determine the complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and understand the related factors of musculoskeletal symptoms in nurses and radiological technologists wearing a lead apron for radiation protection. METHOD: The study subjects were 192 nurses and radiological technologists who work at the cardiac catheterization room or angioroom in the department of radiology. A self-recording questionnaire was used to investigate the general characteristics, occupational characteristics, characteristics related to wearing a lead apron, and subjective musculoskeletal symptoms designed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). RESULTS: Complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms by NOISH were 51.0% in the upper /lower back, 49.0% in the shoulder, and 47.9% in the leg/knee/ankle. From multiple logistic regression analysis, musculoskeletal symptoms of the shoulder were influenced by two-piece type apron and long time wearing an apron, symptoms of upper/lower back by long time wearing an apron, sex, higher average working hours per a day and short resting time, symptoms of leg/knee/ankle by long time wearing an apron, working career at the present department (cardiac catheterization room or angioroom) and short resting time. CONCLUSION: The complaint rates of the musculoskeletal symptoms were affected by the characteristics of wearing a lead apron for radiation protection such as wearing time and apron type. Therefore, it is suggested that the workers who are wearing an apron need the proper wearingtime and resting time, and suitable apron type and size for the body.
