Predicting the work ability of security guards at a university in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand.

Objectives. The number of security guards in universities has increased significantly. This study aimed to predict work ability of university security guards. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 97 university security guards in Thailand was performed. Data were collected through interviews using a questionnaire covering social demographics, behavioral health and work ability. The data were analyzed using χ2 tests and logistic regression models. Results. The average work ability index (WAI) score was 38.1 ± 3.8, with 65.0% of participants scoring 'good'. Social support significantly influenced the WAI (p = 0.004). Those with insufficient support were 4.3 times more likely to show poor work ability. Mental health also impacted the WAI (p = 0.006); those with poor mental health were 4.7 times at risk. Additionally, work experience affected the WAI (p = 0.039). Those with ≥5 years of experience showed reduced work ability compared to their less-experienced counterparts (adjusted odds ratio 0.4; 95% confidence interval [0.20, 0.96]). Conclusions. Supervisors should provide social support and offer rewards and commendations to enhance employees' abilities, health behaviors and management of underlying diseases. Additionally, organizations should prioritize health and safety in the workplace to ensure their employees are healthier and perform their tasks more effectively.

Predictors of Musculoskeletal Pain among Primary School Students Using Smartphones in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

School-age children increasingly use smartphones to conduct their learning activities; increasing reports of disorders related to smartphone use exist, including visual-related symptoms, stress, and musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to examine risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among primary school students using smartphones. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 233 school-aged children in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Data collection used a questionnaire for musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire with ISO 11,226:2000. Through Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analysis, factors independently associated with musculoskeletal pain were determined. An important factor in the development of musculoskeletal pain was the prolonged use of smartphones for longer than 60 min, particularly among children aged 6-9 years old. In regards to musculoskeletal pain, almost 53% of the students used their smartphones while lying down. Posing in a prone position while using a smartphone was 7.37 times more dangerous than sitting. The laying position tilts numerous organs at varying angles, especially the upper arm. The risk of musculoskeletal complaints must be reduced by educating parents, children, and the relevant government organizations about safe smartphone usage. The mentioned factors may be used to anticipate the onset of musculoskeletal pain caused by smartphone use in young children.

The Current Status of Public Playground Safety and Children's Risk Taking Behavior in the Park: Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand.

The playground is perhaps the one area where school children feel like they can roam free, and public playgrounds provide many learning opportunities through different types of play. A cross-sectional descriptive study is presented with the objective of studying playground safety and the play behavior of primary school children at a park in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. The total number of playground equipment pieces was 22, the sample group of children was 362 children, and the data were collected using a playground safety survey and an observation form on playground play behavior. Data were collected from 2017 to 2018 and were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency, average, and standard deviation. The research showed that: (1) the most common defects of playground equipment included the material selection, the distance of the stair steps, and the height of the playground equipment; (2) the lack of awareness of children in terms of using the playground equipment safely; and (3) the three top risks in the play behavior of children were not checking equipment or toys before play, playing on the equipment over-adventurously, and playing on the equipment carelessly with friends. Related government agencies should provide support and management for playground areas and playground equipment by continuously implementing equipment checks, improvements, and repairs.

The effect of laying down posture while using smartphone among school children in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

Background: Lots of children use the smartphone in lying down posture that is unappreciated posture. The postures of children while using a smartphone affect their musculoskeletal pain and can enhance Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Objective: To study the effect of lying down posture while using smartphone among school children in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Materials and methods: This survey study employed a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Design. The population was Grade 1-6 students studying in a primary school in Nakhon Si Thammarat. There were 122 samples selected based on the Volunteer Sampling Technique under the written consent of the students' guardians. The research instruments employed in this study were: 1) Questionnaire adapted from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire asking musculoskeletal symptoms, 2) Posture Assessment using Kinovea Software to measure the angles of the muscle and postures during photo and video shooting of the smartphone users. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics while Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to test the mean differences. Results: There is a significant difference at p<0.05 level in mean angles of the neck, trunk, shoulder, and lower arms when using smartphones in supine and prone postures. The correlation between smartphone usage postures and musculoskeletal symptoms at the head/neck, trunk, and upper arm are found significantly different at p<0.05 level. The statistically significant difference at p<0.05 level is also found in the differences of age, length of smartphone ownership, position when using smartphone, and length of a smartphone usage in lying down positions. Conclusion: Smartphone usage in lying down positions of the participants can cause musculoskeletal pain especially in prone posture. It is recommended that guardians or relevant sectors have greater attention to smartphone usage among children to prevent their long-term musculoskeletal problems.

Factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in quality control palm workers at palm purchasing establishments in Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The palm quality selection process has risks of problems in ergonomics. The aim of this research is to study the factors related to musculoskeletal disorders in quality control palm workers at palm purchasing establishments in Sichon District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 workers with musculoskeletal disorders, as assessed by the Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Disease, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Ergonomic risk assessment was performed using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and the data studied with the help of descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: The sample included 96% of males with an average age of 34.2 years (SD=11.09). The participants used pickup trucks to transport palm oil from the plantation. 72% of the workers had worked at the plantation for 4.9±4.9 years; 54% did not work overtime. The average amount of palm oil collection for palm quality control was 23.5±11.3 tons/day. Quality control palm workers using sidecars (28%) were found to be moderately at risk, and those using trucks (72%) were at a high level of risk. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders after one year at work was 78%. The amount of palm oil controlled per day, working overtime, car type used for transport, and ergonomics risk level, were significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders in quality control palm workers (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate a need for the top management and health-related personnel to promote occupational health and safety measures for quality control palm workers.