Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of stretching exercise education on female workers' behavior for preventing musculoskeletal diseases. Method: This study educated occupational health nurses working in Seoul and Kyunggi area for stretching exercise methods and then had them educate female workers in each workplace for the stretching exercise methods. The subjects of this study were 205 female workers and the research period was from June to October 2003. Results: The female workers' self-efficacy on stretching exercise increased significantly. The female workers' perceived susceptibility on stretching exercise increased significantly. As for change in practical intention on preventive behavior for musculoskeletal diseases, those who replied to have a plan to exercise regularly and to want to participate in stretching exercise class increased significantly. According to whether to have subjective musculoskeletal symptoms or not, self-efficacy increased significantly after education in both workers with such symptoms and those without, and perceived susceptibility and cue to action increased significantly after education in workers without such symptoms. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop programs to increase self-efficacy and health belief and to apply them to female workers to prevent musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, it is necessary to provide repeated education for female workers' steady practice of preventive behavior.

Keywords

• Self-efficacy;
• Health belief;
• Musculoskeletal disease;
• Female worker;
• Stretching exercise

• 자기효능감;
• 건강신념;
• 근골격계질환;
• 여성근로자;
• 스트레칭체조;