ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study was carried to investigate the prevalence and odds ratio of work related musculoskeletal disorders according to the job classification in small-to-medium-sized enterprises(<300 employee). METHODS: A questionnaire survey was given to 746 workers in 8 workplaces. 501 workers (67.2%) were finally selected in this study. The workers in the 8 workplaces was divided into 7 jobs. Those were manufacturers(metal), assemblers(appliances), cashiers, packers(cosmetics), garbage collectors, and VDT workers. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios of the musculoskeletal symptoms according to the job classification. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the significantly related risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms are as follows; age, marital status, gender, work load change, work duration, hours worked per day, job demand, decision latitude, type of job. According to the type of job, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were 7.7%(clerks), 24.3%(manufacturers), 30.0%(assemblers), 23.0%(cashiers), 30.4%(packers), 11.9%(garbage collectors), 29.2%(VDT workers). Multiple logistic regression showed that the following significant odds ratios (referenceclerks): 7.32(packers), 5.63(assemblers), 5.11(cashiers), 4.79(VDT workers), 3.11(manufacturers). CONCLUSION: In small-to-medium-sized enterprises, the job classification was major risk factor for work related musculoskeletal disorders. According to the job classification, the odds ratios of the work related musculoskeletal disorders were different. Considering the odds ratios, the establishment of a prevention program of work related mus-culoskeletal disorders is recommended.