Background & Aims

Agriculture is a labor-intensive industry in which the types of farming by region are determined by climate, soil, and topographical conditions. Due to high physical strain and repetitive labor activities related to agricultural work, work-related injuries, and musculoskeletal disorders are common. One of the most common musculoskeletal disorders is knee and lower extremity pain. This study aimed to investigate demographic, occupational, health condition, lifestyle, and psychological factors associated with the prevalence of knee and lower limb pain in this population.

Methods

We utilized initial survey data from the Safety for Agricultural Injury of Farmers’ cohort study involving adult farmers on Jeju Island. Data were obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire designed to capture a comprehensive range of factors, including demographic details, occupational history, health status, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological well-being. A total of 1206 participants were analyzed for prevalence of knee and lower extremity pain and associated risk factors using frequency analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

The logistic regression analysis revealed that being female, longer years of farming, field type of farming, the presence of knee osteoarthritis, higher levels of stress, and suicidal thoughts were significantly associated with knee and lower limb pain. Notably, the presence of osteoarthritis was linked with a marked increase in pain occurrence (adjusted OR = 9.26).

Conclusions

This study identifies several factors that should be considered when developing intervention strategies to prevent and manage knee and lower limb pain among agricultural workers. Improvements in work environment, monitoring of health status, and support for mental health appear to be crucial. These findings can contribute to policy-making aimed at enhancing the health and productivity of agricultural workers. Future research should continue to explore the environmental and occupational nuances of agricultural work on Jeju Island to develop comprehensive strategies that can prevent injuries and improve overall health among farmers in this and similar settings.

References

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6. SONG, Han Soo, et al. Work-related factors of knee osteoarthritis in Korean farmers: a cross-sectional study. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2020, 32.
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Presenting Author

Hyun Jung Lee

Poster Authors

Hyun Jung Lee

MD, PhD

Jeju national university hospital/South Korea

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Specific Pain Conditions/Pain in Specific Populations: Rheumatology, Arthritis, and Other