Hayes M J, Smith D R, Cockrell D
Department of Oral Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, Australia. melanie.j.hayes@studentmail.
Int J Dent Hyg. 2009 Aug;7(3):176-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00370.x.
Although musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been identified as a significant occupational health issue for dental hygienists, few studies have explored this problem among the dental hygiene student population.
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of MSD among a selection of undergraduate dental hygiene students in Australia.
A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to dental hygiene students at an Australian university during 2008, from which a response rate of approximately 72% was achieved.
Musculoskeletal disorders were most commonly reported by students at the neck (64.29%), lower back (57.94%) and shoulder (48.41%) regions. Logistic regression indicated various correlations with MSD. Students who did not undertake regular exercise every week experienced an increased risk of lower back pain [Odds Ratio (OR): 4.88, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.75-14.9]. Students undertaking 16-20 h of desk-based study per week were much more likely to report neck pain (OR: 19.7, 95% CI: 1.34-378.94). Working 6-10 h on a computer each week was a risk factor for shoulder (OR: 7.03, 95% CI: 1.42-39.49) and upper back pain (OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.21-25.56).
Overall, this study suggests that MSD are a reasonably common problem for dental hygiene students in Australia. As such, further studies are required to establish epidemiological patterns of MSD, and our profession will need to carefully consider preventive strategies to help minimize the impact of this important occupational health issue on the next generation of dental hygienists.
尽管肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）已被认定为口腔卫生员面临的一个重大职业健康问题，但很少有研究探讨口腔卫生专业学生群体中的这一问题。
本研究旨在调查澳大利亚部分本科口腔卫生专业学生中MSD的患病率及其相关因素。
2008年，向澳大利亚一所大学的口腔卫生专业学生发放了一份自填式问卷，回收率约为72%。
学生报告的肌肉骨骼疾病最常见于颈部（64.29%）、下背部（57.94%）和肩部（48.41%）区域。逻辑回归显示了与MSD的各种相关性。每周不进行定期锻炼的学生下背痛风险增加[比值比（OR）：4.88，95%置信区间（CI）：1.75 - 14.9]。每周进行16 - 20小时伏案学习的学生更有可能报告颈部疼痛（OR：19.7，95% CI：1.34 - 378.94）。每周在电脑上工作6 - 10小时是肩部疼痛（OR：7.03，95% CI：1.42 - 39.49）和上背部疼痛（OR：5.29，95% CI：1.21 - 25.56）的一个风险因素。
总体而言，本研究表明MSD在澳大利亚口腔卫生专业学生中是一个相当普遍的问题。因此，需要进一步研究以确立MSD的流行病学模式，并且我们的行业需要仔细考虑预防策略，以帮助将这一重要职业健康问题对下一代口腔卫生员的影响降至最低。
