ScholarWorks@경상국립대학교

초록

= Abstract = Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a health promotion program utilizing community health workers and health literacy, a checklist on musculoskeletal disorder prevention behaviors among farmers in rural areas. Methods: A single-group pre–post quasi-experimental study was conducted in a rural county in Korea. Three female farmers were trained as health workers through a 6-hour program and each recruited 15 farmers, totaling 45 participants. Over 12 weeks, health workers delivered three sessions at four-week intervals, including occupational safety education, musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) prevention exercise, and checklist-based behavior monitoring. Outcomes were assessed by self-administered questionnaires on health literacy (understanding, application, attitude) and MSD prevention behaviors. Results: Health literacy scores improved significantly in understanding(13.3→13.9, p=0.038) and application(10.0→11.1, p=0.001), while attitude improved but was not statistically significant(p=0.068). Preventive behaviors showed significant changes, including stretching before/after farm work(13.3%→46.7%, p<0.001), use of assistive devices(75.6%→100.0%, p<0.001), alternating tasks(15.6%→64.4%, p<0.001), and proper lifting posture(35.6%→66.7%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Community health workers–led, checklist-based interventions effectively enhanced both health literacy and MSD preventive behaviors among farmers. These findings provide practical and policy implications for reducing health disparities and promoting occupational safety in rural communities.

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