1.Factors Affecting Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Korean Farmers: Focusing on the Sociodemographic Characteristics
Minji LEE ; Kyungsu KIM ; Dongphil CHOI
Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health 2022;47(4):255-267
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in farmers.
Methods:
In order to examine the factors affecting the musculoskeletal symptoms among farmers, data of ‘Occupational Disease Survey for Farmers’ was performed by the RDA(Rural Development Administration).
Results:
The odds ratio of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among female farmers were 1.42(1.30-1.56) times higher than male farmers. The older aging and longer the agricultural work period, the higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms was shown. By major crops, all crop farmers showed higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms compared to rice crop farmers. As a result of examining the effective factors on the odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms by body parts, female farmers had higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than male farmers by 1.38(1.26-1.51) times in waist, 1.58(1.44-1.74) times in knee, 1.32(1.05-0.67) times in hand/wrist, and 1.30(1.06-1.59) times in foot/ankle.By crops, animal husbandry farmers had higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than rice crop farmers by 1.44(0.89-2.35) times in waist, and field crop farmers were 1.37(1.07-1.77) times higher in knee. Compared with rice crop farmers, odds ratio of the shoulder part the shoulder parts were 1.19(0.81-1.76) times higher in greenhouse crop farmers and 1.16(0.97-1.38) times higher in dry field crop farmers. Odds ratio of the hands/wrist parts were higher odds ratio of musculoskeletal symptoms than rice crop farmers by 1.69(1.00-2.87) times in greenhouse crop farmers.
Conclusions
The results of this study would help to select the group that needs to be managed first, and could be used as basic data for the development of customized musculoskeletal disorders prevention programs.
2.A Literature Review on Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Domestic and Overseas Farmers
Siyoung KIM ; Seongyong YOON ; Jinseok KIM ; Seong-yong CHO ; Hyun Woo PARK ; Daehwan KIM ; Gayoung KIM ; Jisoo KANG ; Kyungsu KIM ; Dongphil CHOI ; Seok-Ju YOO
Journal of Agricultural Medicine & Community Health 2023;48(4):251-261
Objective:
Farmers are known to have high prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study aims to investigate the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic and foreign farmers with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of asthma and COPD among farmers and contribute to supporting evidence for the prevention of respiratory diseases in farmers.
Methods:
The study utilized data from the "Farmer’s Occupational Disease Survey," conducted by the Rural Development Administration, to determine the prevalence of respiratory diseases in domestic farmers.The prevalence of asthma and COPD in overseas farmers was evaluated by researching other foreign studies and articles.
Results:
The prevalence of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers was less than of foreign farmers’.The prevalence of asthma in domestic farmers was high as upto 8.4% and COPD upto 5.5%. Studies from Europe and America showed prevalence of asthma in farmers high as upto 14.8% and COPD upto 17.1%.
Conclusions
This study conducted an investigation using the 'Survey on Occupational Diseases and Injuries in Farmers to understand the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers. Due to a lack of relevant domestic research, we examined and compared with the research results on asthma and COPD among overseas farmers. Further research is necessary and preventive measures for respiratory diseases need to be developed.