This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of job stress and musculoskeletal symptoms, and to identify the relationship
between job stress and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of 119 Fire Officials. Structured questionnaires were completed by 910 workers.
Questionnaire items regarded demographic characteristics, occupational characteristics, job stress, and musculoskeletal symptoms. T-test and
ANOVA were used to analyze job stress according to general characteristics and job characteristics, and χ2-test was used for musculoskeletal
symptoms. The χ2-test was also used to analyze the relationship between job stress and musculoskeletal symptoms, and logistic regression analysis
was used to analyze the factors that affect musculoskeletal symptoms. Task in charge and the period of service were significant factors of job stress.
Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among subjects was 77.6% with back symptom (95.8%) as the most prevalent, followed by leg/foot,
neck, and shoulder. In addition, job stress factors such as emotional demands, family stress, physical demands, and negative emotion scale were
associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. The results suggest that musculoskeletal symptoms are associated with not only physical work factors
but also job stress factors. In particular, to prevent and manage musculoskeletal disease of 119 fire officials, there is a need to develop a
management program for musculoskeletal symptoms to reduce occupational stress.