Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome Among Thai Farmers: A Daily Vibration Exposure Study

Prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) has been associated with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between daily hand-arm vibration exposure and HAVS among farmers. A convenience sampling method was used to select 76 farmers from the Nong Suea district in Pathum Thani province. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire that included demographics, work conditions, initial screening for HAVS, and VM31 vibration meter (Hand-Arm Accelerator sensor: KS963B10). The vibration measured based on the technical method described in ISO 5349–1: 2001. The association between HAV and HAVS was evaluated using chi-square tests. The results revealed that most farmers were men (73.7%), with an average age of 48.6 years (SD = 10.0). Famers had experience working with vibrating tools with an average of 18.4 years (SD = 11.4). The results of a daily hand-arm vibration exposure indicated that most of the farmers were at the low risk level (HAV exposure <2.5 m/s2 (A8)) with 60.5%, followed by the high risk with 39.5% (HAV exposure ≥2.5 m/s2 (A8)). The mean daily vibration exposure categorized by agricultural tools was a walking tractor of 11.2 m/s2 (SD = 0.3), a brush cutter of 4.7 m/s2 (SD = 1.0) and a backpack sprayer of 2.4 m/s2 (SD = 0.6). The prevalence of HAVS among farmers was 77.6%. Of these, the proportions of HAVS were musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular complications, with 63.2%, 60.5%, and 35.5%, respectively. A daily hand-arm vibration exposure was significantly associated with HAVS (p-value <.05). The results of the study revealed that the farmers had a high daily vibration exposure of HAVS and related HAV. This information can be provided for vibration monitoring and equipment maintenance schedules. A systematic monitoring program for vibration exposure among farmers should be considered.