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