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A Study on the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Neck Pain Among University Academic Staff in Hong Kong

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Abstract

The 1-year prevalence of neck pain and possible risk factors among university academic staff were investigated. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all the fulltime academic staff in one of the universities in Hong Kong. The 1-year prevalence of neck pain was investigated. The relationship between individual factors, job nature, psychosocial factors, and neck pain were also analyzed. The 1-year prevalence of neck pain among after being an academic staff was 46.7%. A significant association was found between gender and neck pain (p = 0.02). The percentage of female academic staff with neck pain (62%) was higher than that in male staff (38%). This matched the results of other studies, which demonstrated that neck pain was more prevalent in women. There was a significant association between head posture during computer processing and neck pain (p = 0.02). Among those with neck pain during computer processing, 60.5% had a forward head posture. However, a low correlation between psychosocial factors and neck pain was demonstrated (r = 0.343). Academic staff in tertiary institutions could be considered as a high-risk group of job-related neck pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

    T. T. W. Chiu, W. Y. Ku, M. H. Lee, W. K. Sum, M. P. Wan, C. Y. Wong & C. K. Yuen

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  1. T. T. W. Chiu
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  2. W. Y. Ku
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  3. M. H. Lee
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  4. W. K. Sum
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  5. M. P. Wan
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  6. C. Y. Wong
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  7. C. K. Yuen
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Chiu, T.T.W., Ku, W.Y., Lee, M.H. et al. A Study on the Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Neck Pain Among University Academic Staff in Hong Kong. J Occup Rehabil 12, 77–91 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015008513575

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