Self-reported Cabin Environment and Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) among Female Flight Attendants on Long-haul International Flights.

Abstract

Physical environmental factors have been found to increase the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in a variety of occupations. To date little is known about the influence of physical environmental factors in the cabin of an airplane on WMSDs among flight attendants. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-reported physical environment factors in the cabin and WMSDs in the neck. shoulder. upper back. and lower back among U.S. female flight attendants on long-haul international flights. A cross-sectional mailed survey was conducted with 185 female fight attendants working on long-haul international flights. The physical environment measure included 12 items regarding cabin-air quality, noise, lighting, and whole-body vibration. WMSDs were measured by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Symptom Survey. The percentage of flight attendants who had WMSDs for each body region varied from 31% to 54%. The majority (＞ 80%) of the flight attendants often or always experienced low humidity, stuffy air. and little air movement while working in the cabin. Being frequently exposed to unfavorable cabin environmental factors increased the risk of neck (OR=2.89). shoulder (OR=2.96). and upper-back WMSDs (OR=2.14). Cabin environmental factors should be taken into account when examining the risk factors for WMSDs.