Job specific risk factors, demographic parameters and musculoskeletal disorders among military personnel depending on type of service
¹Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Technology, Kreutzwaldi 56, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia; *Correspondence: eda.merisalu@emu.ee 2Institute of Mathematical Statistics, University of Tartu, Liivi 2, EE50409 Tartu, Estonia 3Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, Ravila 14c, EE50411 Tartu, Estonia 4Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, EE50411 Tartu, Estonia 5General Head Quarters, Estonian Defence Forces, Juhkendali 58, EE15007 Tallinn, Estonia 6Medical Centre, Medical Company, 1st Infantry Brigade, Estonian Defence Forces, Rae Põik 1, EE76806 Paldiski, Estonia 7Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, EE50411 Tartu, Estonia; 8Civil Aviation Admisnistration, Estonia
Abstract:
Current study aimed to analyse the prevalence of job specific risk factors (JSRF) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among military personnel depending on demographic factors and type of service. An anonymous questionnaire study was carried out in five departments of Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) among local service personnel (LSP) and the Peace Corp personnel (PCP) arrived back from mission. The average response rate was 38.7% (LSP 31.9% and PCP 77.6%). In LSP group there were 44.7% male participants, with mean age 39.2 ± 11 years, length of service in present position 5.8 ± 4.9 years and work load of 37.9 ± 8.4 hours per week. In PCP group 97.4% were males, with mean age 27.5 ± 5.7 years, service length on present position 3.1 ± 2.6 years and work load of 84.3 ± 60.9 hours per week. The dominant JSRF in LSP was ‘demand for constant concentration’ (76.5%) and night work (57%) in PCP (group difference p < 0.0001). ‘Fast movements’ and ‘lifting loads >40 kg’ were the specific tasks most often reported in mission. ‘Job insecurity’ was more often reported by the female; ‘night work’ and ‘work-rest disbalance’ by the male military personnel (p< 0.001).The prevalence of MSDs was higher among women and LSP than in men and PCP group (p< 0.05). In LSP mild to moderate discomfort reported by 2/3 because of neck-shoulder strain and by ½ because of lower back pain. In conclusion, MSDs seems to depend more on demographic parameters and type of service than JSRFs. Further studies are needed to focus on predictive factors of MSDs among military personnel. Key words: job specific risk factors, demographic parameters, musculoskeletal disorders, military personnel.