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

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   J Occup Rehabil 2002 (Jun);   12 (2):   77–91

Chiu TT, Ku WY, Lee MH, Sum WK, Wan MP, Wong CY, Yuen CK

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences,
Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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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 full-time 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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