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Occupational Medicine 2004;54:55-57
© Society of Occupational Medicine 2004; all rights reserved

Short Report

Musculoskeletal disorders in hotel restaurant workers

Jong-Yu Adol Chyuan1, Chung-Li Du2, Wen-Yu Yeh3 and Chung-Yi Li4

1 Department of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management, College of Human Ecology, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Hsinchuang, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan
2 Division of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuen, Taiwan
3 Division of Occupational Hygiene, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuen, Taiwan
4 Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Hsinchuang, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan

Background A variety of occupational groups have been shown to experience elevated risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). Little information on WMSD is available in hotel restaurant workers.

Objective To document the profile of WMSD in a sample of hotel restaurant workers in Taiwan.

Methods A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information regarding body site specific WMSD, pain intensity and strategies for pain relief amongst a sample of hotel restaurant workers.

Results Among 905 restaurant workers, 785 (84%) reported experience of WMSD in the previous month, with the highest prevalence rate found for the shoulder (58%). The highest mean score for perceived pain intensity was found for the lower back/waist (2.50 points). Despite a high prevalence rate, only a small portion of those reporting WMSD (12%) considered their work capacity or activities of daily living to be affected by WMSD, and only <5% of workers with WMSD sought medical treatment.

Conclusion WMSD related pain is common among hotel restaurant workers in Taiwan, but it does not appear to interfere with job performance or daily living. Self-treatment and alternative therapies that have not been evaluated for effectiveness are commonly employed by hotel restaurant workers.

Keywords      Epidemiology; prevalence rate; work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Received       29 May 2002
Revised         27 November 2002
Accepted       16 June 2003

Correspondence to: Chung-Yi Li, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, 510, Chung Cheng Road, Hsinchuang, Taipei Hsien, 24205 Taiwan. e-mail: chungyi{at}mails.fju.edu.tw


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