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Buisseret F, Draye N, Di Santo C, Pacewicz J, Pannetier J, Dierick F, Telliez F. Occupational Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders among Workers in Dairy Diversification. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:178. [PMID: 38255067 PMCID: PMC10815434 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a changing European agricultural context, diversification of dairy farms is gaining attention. This study seeks to (1) assess musculoskeletal pain prevalence associated with tasks such as butter, yogurt, and cheese production; and (2) analyze associated risks. METHODS Observing 31, mostly female, workers, we utilized the ERGOROM questionnaire, a methodology adapted from the Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité, and Key Indicator Method forms. RESULTS Findings revealed that tasks like load carrying (42% of workers), manual work (17%), and awkward postures (14%) resulted in musculoskeletal pain, predominantly in the lower back (65%), neck (39%), and dominant upper limb areas (shoulder: 61%, elbow: 26%, and wrist: 65%). While psychosocial risks remained low, concerns arose from workload, hygiene standards, and resource unpredictability. CONCLUSIONS As dairy farming evolves from artisanal to semi-industrial, our study emphasizes the importance of ergonomic adaptations to protect farmers' health and prevent musculoskeletal disorders during diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Buisseret
- Laboratoire Forme et Fonctionnement Humain, CeREF, Rue Trieu Kaisin 136, 6061 Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium; (N.D.); (C.D.S.); (J.P.)
- Service de Physique Nucléaire et Subnucléaire, Université de Mons, UMONS Research Institute for Complex Systems, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Draye
- Laboratoire Forme et Fonctionnement Humain, CeREF, Rue Trieu Kaisin 136, 6061 Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium; (N.D.); (C.D.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Camille Di Santo
- Laboratoire Forme et Fonctionnement Humain, CeREF, Rue Trieu Kaisin 136, 6061 Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium; (N.D.); (C.D.S.); (J.P.)
| | - Jocelyn Pacewicz
- Laboratoire Forme et Fonctionnement Humain, CeREF, Rue Trieu Kaisin 136, 6061 Montignies-sur-Sambre, Belgium; (N.D.); (C.D.S.); (J.P.)
| | | | - Frédéric Dierick
- Centre National de Rééducation Fonctionnelle et de Réadaptation—Rehazenter, Laboratoire d’Analyse du Mouvement et de la Posture (LAMP), 1 Rue André Vésale, 2674 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
- Faculté des Sciences de la Motricité, UCLouvain, 1-2 Place Pierre de Coubertin, 1348 Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Telliez
- Laboratoire Péritox UMR_I 01, Institut d’Ingénierie de la Santé-UFR de Médecine, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Rue des Louvels, 80036 Amiens, France;
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Jirapongsuwan A, Klainin-Yobas P, Songkham W, Somboon S, Pumsopa N, Bhatarasakoon P. The effectiveness of ergonomic intervention for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers: A systematic review protocol. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288131. [PMID: 37399209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review will systematically examine and synthesize existing evidence of the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural workers. INTRODUCTION Agricultural workers are at particular risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to the nature of their activities and work conditions. Ergonomic interventions designed to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders among agricultural workers can benefit their health and productivity. INCLUSION CRITERIA The review will consider quantitative study designs. These studies should be about agricultural workers who were involved in occupational situations that might contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS The databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus and grey literature will be searched to identify published and unpublished studies reported in English and other languages from 1991 onwards. At least two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and assess the selected full texts against certain inclusion criteria. The identified studies will be assessed for methodological quality using JBI critical appraisal instruments. Data will be extracted, and the effectiveness of the interventions will be determined. Where possible, data will be pooled in a meta-analysis. Data from heterogeneous studies will be reported narratively. The GRADE approach will be used to assess the quality of evidence. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42022321098.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Jirapongsuwan
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piyanee Klainin-Yobas
- Alice Lee Center for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wanpen Songkham
- The Thailand Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Somboon
- Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand
| | - Napamon Pumsopa
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patraporn Bhatarasakoon
- The Thailand Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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A Comparison of Spinopelvic Alignment and Quality of Life between Farmers and Non-Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in a Japanese Rural Area. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041393. [PMID: 36835927 PMCID: PMC9966930 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It may be difficult to define what would constitute an abnormal spinal sagittal alignment. The same degree of malalignment may be found both in patients with pain and disability and in asymptomatic individuals. This study focuses on elderly farmers who characteristically have a kyphotic spine, in addition to local residents. It questions whether these patients experience cervical and lower back symptoms, respectively, more often than elderly people who never worked on a farm and do not have a kyphotic deformity. Previous research could have been biased by sampling patients who came to a spine clinic for treatment, whereas this study sampled asymptomatic elderly who may or may not have had kyphosis. METHODS We studied 100 local residents at their annual health checkup (22 farmers and 78 non-farmers) with a median age of 71 years (range 65-84 years). Spinal radiographs were used to measure sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and other measurements of sagittal malalignment. Back symptoms were measured using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Neck Disability Index (NDI). The association between alignment measures and back symptoms were calculated by bivariate comparison between patient groups and by Pearson's correlation. RESULTS About 55% of farmers and 35% of non-farmers had abnormal radiographs (i.e., vertebral fracture). Farmers had higher measurements of sagittal vertical axis (SVA), compared to non-farmers, when measured from C7 (median 24.4 mm vs. 9.15 mm, p = 0.04) and from C2 (47.65 vs. 25.3, p = 0.03). Lumbar lordosis (LL) and thoracic kyphosis (TK) were significantly decreased in farmers vs. non-farmers (37.5 vs. 43.5, p = 0.04 and 32.5 vs. 39, p = 0.02, respectively). The ODI was likely to be higher among farmers compared to non-farmers while NDI scores showed no significant difference between farmers and non-farmers (median 11.7 vs. 6.0, p = 0.06 and median 13 vs. 12, p = 0.82, respectively). In terms of correlation among spinal parameters, LL had a higher correlation with SVA, but TK had less correlation with SVA among farmers compared to non-farmers. There was no significant correlation between disability scores and measurements of sagittal alignment. CONCLUSIONS Farmers had higher measurements of sagittal malalignment, characterized by loss of LL, decreased TK and an increased forward translation of cervical vertebrae relative to sacrum. ODI was likely to higher in farmers compared to non-farmers although the association did not reach a significant level. These results probably indicate that the gradual development of spinal malalignment in agricultural workers does not result in excess morbidity compared to controls.
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Do Musculoskeletal Disorders Affect Work Tasks in Farmers. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e591-e596. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Assessment of Ergonomic Risk Factors on a Coffee Farm. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12157703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In Honduras, some coffee farms must comply with strict standards of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, due to their organic, gender and fair-trade certifications. The principal research aim is to evaluate the musculoskeletal risks in occupations in a Honduran coffee farm certified in sustainable environments and to know the status of its workers within the farm. Musculoskeletal symptom perception during the last twelve months was consulted, assessing exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders using the Quick Exposure Check method. Data regarding 48 workers were analyzed to provide the results. Within the body regions where discomfort is concentrated, the back, shoulders, wrists, knees, and feet stand out, and the highest risk exposures are presented for the coffee cutters at the neck level and in the wrist/hand segment, in the coffee pickers at the back, shoulder–arm segment, and wrist/hand segment, and in the processors in the back area and shoulder–arm segment. It is concluded that, in all the coffee fruit harvesting processes, the people who work in these jobs are exposed to ergonomic risks.
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Fethke NB, Schall MC, Chen H, Branch CA, Merlino LA. Biomechanical factors during common agricultural activities: Results of on-farm exposure assessments using direct measurement methods. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2020; 17:85-96. [PMID: 32069181 PMCID: PMC8256625 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1717502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural work is associated with increased risk of adverse musculoskeletal health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to quantify exposure to biomechanical factors among a sample (n = 55) of farmers in the Midwest region of the U.S. while they performed a variety of routine agricultural activities, and to compare exposure levels between these activities. Surface electromyography was used to estimate activity levels of the erector spinae, upper trapezius, forearm flexor, and forearm extensor muscle groups. Simultaneously, inertial sensors were used to measure kinematics of the trunk, upper arm, and wrist. In general, lower muscle activity levels, less extreme postures, and slower movement speeds were observed during activities that involved primarily the use of agricultural machinery in comparison to manual activities, suggesting a potential advantage of mechanization relative to musculoskeletal health. Median wrist movement speeds exceeding recently proposed exposure thresholds were also observed during many manual activities, such as milking animals and repairing equipment. Upper arm postures and movement speeds did not appear to confer excessive risk for shoulder-related outcomes (on the whole), but interpretation of the results is limited by a sampling approach that may not have captured the full extent of exposure variation. Not surprisingly, substantial variation in exposure levels were observed within each agricultural activity, which is related to substantial variation in the equipment, tools, and work practices used by participants. Ultimately, the results of this study contribute to an emerging literature in which the physical demands of routine agricultural work have been described on the basis of sensor-based measurements rather than more common self-report or observation-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan B Fethke
- Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Mark C Schall
- Industrial & Systems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
| | - Howard Chen
- Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
| | | | - Linda A Merlino
- Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
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Momeni Z, Choobineh A, Razeghi M, Ghaem H, Azadian F, Daneshmandi H. Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Agricultural Workers: A Cross-sectional Study in Iran. J Agromedicine 2020; 25:339-348. [PMID: 31935151 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2020.1713273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Objective: In Iran, as in most developing countries, agriculture is considered a hazardous industry. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been shown to be the most common occupational injury among farmers. The present study was carried out among agricultural workers of Fars province, Iran to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and to assess working postures and ergonomic working conditions to identify the major risk factors associated with MSD. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1501 randomly selected Iranian agricultural workers with at least 1 year of job tenure. Data were collected using demographic/occupational questionnaire, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Quick Exposure Check (QEC) technique, and ergonomic working conditions checklist. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.39 ± 13.64 years. The results of NMQ showed the highest prevalence of MSD symptoms was related to lower back (59.3%), knees (36.9%), and upper back (36.6%). Indeed, the QEC score was high or very high (action levels 3 and 4) in 83.1% of the farmers. Moreover, the ergonomic working conditions checklist revealed that the participants' "working postures" index had the lowest mean, indicating poor ergonomic conditions, while "hand tools" had the highest mean, indicating proper ergonomic conditions. Conclusions: The results demonstrated the high prevalence of MSD symptoms among Iranian agricultural workers. Elimination of harmful working postures was recommended to improve working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Momeni
- Ergonomics Department, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Choobineh
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Razeghi
- Physiotherapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
| | - Haleh Ghaem
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Azadian
- Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadi Daneshmandi
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Shiraz, Iran
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Okabe D, Tsuji T, Hanazato M, Miyaguni Y, Asada N, Kondo K. Neighborhood Walkability in Relation to Knee and Low Back Pain in Older People: A Multilevel Cross-Sectional Study from the JAGES. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16234598. [PMID: 31756959 PMCID: PMC6926577 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16234598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have focused on a relationship between the built environment and musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to investigate an association between neighborhood walkability and knee and low back pain in older people. Data were derived from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) 2013, a population-based study of independently living people ≥65 years old. A cross-sectional multilevel analysis was performed, of 22,892 participants in 792 neighborhoods. Neighborhood walkability was assessed by residents' perceptions and population density. Dependent variables were knee and low back pain restricting daily activities within the past year. The prevalence of knee pain was 26.2% and of low back pain 29.3%. After adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the prevalence ratio (PR) of knee and low back pain was significantly lower in neighborhoods with better access to parks and sidewalks, good access to fresh food stores, and higher population densities. After additionally adjusting for population density, easier walking in neighborhoods without slopes or stairs was significantly inversely correlated with knee pain (PR 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.85-0.99). Neighborhoods with walkability enhanced by good access to parks and sidewalks and fresh food stores, easy walking without slopes or stairs, and high population densities, had lower prevalences of knee and low back pain among older people. Further studies should examine environmental determinants of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichi Okabe
- Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-90-4194-8521
| | - Taishi Tsuji
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; (T.T.); (M.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Masamichi Hanazato
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; (T.T.); (M.H.); (K.K.)
| | - Yasuhiro Miyaguni
- Institute for Health Economics and Policy, 1-5-11 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan;
- Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka-cho, Obu City, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
| | - Nao Asada
- Advanced Preventive Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan;
| | - Katsunori Kondo
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan; (T.T.); (M.H.); (K.K.)
- Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka-cho, Obu City, Aichi 474-8511, Japan
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Khan MI, Bath B, Kociolek A, Zeng X, Koehncke N, Trask C. Trunk Posture Exposure Patterns among Prairie Ranch and Grain Farmers. J Agromedicine 2019; 25:210-220. [PMID: 31517593 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2019.1659200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Low back disorders (LBD) are the most common musculoskeletal disorder among farmers, and awkward trunk postures such as repetitive bending are often cited as a contributor. However, it is not clear whether trends of increasing mechanization in agriculture may be impacting the requirement for trunk-intensive tasks. This study compared the patterns of working trunk posture among prairie farmers during both machine-intensive and non-intensive work days.Methods: Forty-nine adult farm workers from 22 farms participated in this study. Individual and farm characteristics were documented via questionnaire. Trunk angles and velocities were measured with an I2M inertial sensor placed on the chest. Participants completed electronic posture assessments during up to three regular work days throughout the growing season for a total of 91 electronic posture measurements. Forward and lateral trunk bending patterns were expressed in three domains: magnitude, duration, and frequency.Results: Working tasks were categorized into driving, manual, and mixed. Driving was the most commonly measured task (52% of work days), and mixed tasks the least (12%). Both 90th percentile trunk flexion-extension angles and velocities were significantly higher for manual as compared to driving tasks. Participants spent 38% of their working time in trunk forward flexion ≥ 20°, which, according to previous epidemiological studies, may increase their risk for LBD.Conclusion: The directly-measured trunk posture exposure patterns in this study suggest that machinery-intensive workdays result in less awkward trunk posture and lower velocities. Increasing mechanization invites more research on the exposures associated with machinery operation and increasing automation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Idrees Khan
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Brenna Bath
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Aaron Kociolek
- School of Physical and Health Education, Nipissing University, North Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaoke Zeng
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Niels Koehncke
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Catherine Trask
- Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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