The change of knowledge, attitude and practice on musculoskeletal diseases after exercise program in an electronic parts manufacturing company

This study was conducted to find the change of knowledge, attitude and practice on musculoskeletal diseases after a preventive exercise program. The 169 subjects who worked at an electronic parts manufacturing company in Seoul participated in 11-week exercise program from February 14 to April 29, 2005. We surveyed the questionnaires about general characteristics, subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal diseases, the knowledge, attitude and practice of musculoskeletal diseases before and after preventive exercise program. The change of complaint rate of musculoskeletal symptoms based on NIOSH diagnosis standard for each body part was not statistically significant. Before exercise program, complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms were 48.0% in shoulder, 40.8% in arm/wrist/finger, 39.6% in upper back/lower back, 32.6% in leg/knee/foot and 27.8% in neck. After the exercise program, complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms were 43.2% in shoulder, 36.6% in arm/wrist/finger, 42.0% in upper back/lower back, 26.6% in leg/knee/foot and 27.8% in neck. The change of knowledge, attitude and practice on musculoskeletal diseases after exercise program was statistically significant. The change of knowledge after exercise program was higher in the group of participation days (17–32 days), work department (electronic components department, mold manufacturing department, and condenser department), marital status (married). The change of attitude after exercise program was higher in the group of work department (electronic components department) and job position (employee). The change of practice after exercise program was higher in the group of participation days (17–32 days), and job position (employee). The complaint rates of musculoskeletal symptoms after 11-week exercise program were not significantly changed, but the change of knowledge, attitude and practice on musculoskeletal diseases was significantly changed. Therefore, the continuous and regular exercise program will help to prevent musculoskeletal diseases.