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Epidemiological aspects of “repetition strain injury” in Telecom Australia
Author(s) -
Hocking Bruce
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1987.tb133411.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rehabilitation , epidemiology , demography , family medicine , medical emergency , physical therapy , sociology
An epidemic of “repetition strain injury” (“RSI”) in Telecom Australia is described. In the years 1981‐1985, there have been 3976 reports of “RSI”. The occupation that was most affected was that of telephonist, with 1886 reports and a rate of 343 per 1000 keyboard staff members over five years; among other occupations that were affected were clerical workers (1421 reports; rate, 284 per 1000 keyboard staff members); telegraphists (17 reports; rate, 34 per 1000 staff members); and process workers (235 reports; rate, 116 per 1000 staff members). Women accounted for 3330 (83%) of all reports; in the telephonist group, 27% of female and 20% of male staff members were affected (P< 0.001); for women, younger staff members were more affected. There was a significant difference among states in the prevalence of “RSI” in telephonists. There was a high morbidity, and 644 (16%) subjects were affected for more than 26 weeks; the cost‐ effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation varied appreciably among state administrations. The costs of the epidemic exceed $15 million, including $1.8 million in medical costs. Reasons for the rise and decline of the epidemic are discussed.