ภาวะสุขภาพตามความเสี่ยงจากการทำงานของตำรวจจราจร จังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

Traffic policeofficers are at high risk of occupational illnesses and injuries.This descriptive study aimed to examine the health status related to risk at work among 175 traffic police officers in theChiang Mai Provincial Police Traffic Sector. Data were collected during April to June 2014using a health status related to risk at workquestionnaire. The questionnaire was reviewed bya panel of expertsand received a content validityindexof 1.The reliabilityof the questionnaire was also tested and yielded an acceptable value (.83-.93). Hearing capacity and lung capacity were also tested. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The major results indicated that the most important illness related to work during the past month included neck/shoulder/upper back pain (73.14%)and lower back/trunk/hip/thighpain (65.14%)followed by eye irritation(62.86%)andnose irritation(57.71%) from automobile exhaust and road dust exposure. Furthermore, study participants reportedeye irritation (63.43%)and blurred vision (53.14%) from sunlight exposure.Work-relatedinjuryinthe past threemonths was found inonly 5.14% of participants which consisted ofa non-fatal injury without absence from work (70.00%) and less than three days away from work (30.00%).Injury causation was mainly related tobeing struck byobject(66.66%), a cut from a sharp machine or equipment (16.67%) and tripping onmaterial or equipment (16.67%).Injured body parts werearm/elbow (29.41%), leg/shin/calf/knee(29.41%), and hand/fingers/wrist (23.53%). The results of this study indicate that occupational and environmental health nursesand relevant organizations should recognize the significanceof health statusrelated to risk at work among traffic police officers. These study results should be used to effectively plan risk communication and health surveillance. These measureswould help to prevent and decrease work-related illnesses and injuries, and enhance the quality of life among traffic police officers.