CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION ...

CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION


5.1 Discussion
This study was conducted to identify the awareness on Repetitive Strain injury (RSI) among repetitive and forceful work task workers at the raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, Perak. This study was conducted to determine the differences in level of knowledge and awareness on Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) among workers in kitchen, laundry and store departments. This study were also conducted to determine the association between demographic data (age and work experience in years), employment experiences (work place injury occurrence and work educational activities) and health related status towards workers’ awareness on Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The sample of the study was workers who have been identified as a high risk job for Repetitive Strain injury (RSI) consisted of 75 eligible workers.

5.2 Differences of level of knowledge and awareness on Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) among workers in kitchen, laundry and store departments.
For the research question to identify the differences in level of knowledge and awareness on RSI, the hypothesis stated that there were differences in level of knowledge and awareness on RSI among repetitive and forceful work task workers in three departments that were kitchen, laundry and store departments. The ANOVA results confirmed this hypothesis that workers’ level of knowledge and awareness on RSI in each of the department was significantly different.
Johnson et al. (1994) stated that workers who are having access to specific knowledge regarding the injury in term of its risk factors, specific job environment and preventive options should be able to contribute in increasing level of awareness and preventive intervention towards the occupational injury (cited in Porru et al., p. 187). According to Melhorn and Kennedy (2008), the workers exposure to the risk factors in the work place can provides greater awareness on the occupational injury based on the job or task demand, organizational structure and physical work environment. Previous study outlined by Punett et al. (1985) considers the garment workers, laundry workers, meat processor and construction workers as high risk workers of RSI.
Based on this study, it can be concluded that majority of the workers (77.3%) have moderate knowledge and awareness on RSI in term of the injury’s definition, risk factors, symptoms, implications and treatments. Although the workers in kitchen, laundry and store departments are at high risk in developing RSI since their repetitive and forceful job characteristic were similar, the level of awareness on the injury are still different since there are other predictors that can contributes to RSI awareness examples like educational level. Cole et al. (2005) claim that such individuals with higher education were more likely to report experiencing work related RSI since they may be more aware of the relationship ...