Prevalence of neck pain and associated factors with personal characteristics, physical workloads and psychosocial among male rubber workers in FELDA settlement Malaysia

Exploring the influence of individual factors on the perception of mental workload and body postures

Studies have revealed that physical and mental demands, psychosocial factors, and individual factors can contribute to the development of WMSDs. Yet, much is still unknown regarding the effects of individual characteristics on WMSDs susceptibility. Previous studies discovered people assumed more awkward body postures to perform an activity when the perception of mental workload is higher. This research study explored if individual characteristics such as age, sex, personality, and anxiety help explain changes or differences in the perception of mental workload and body postures assume when performing activities. The study provided evidence that these individual characteristics have a modifying role on perceived mental workload and body postures. The results suggest that perceived mental workload is influenced to a higher extent by individual characteristics such as anxiety, sex, and personality traits. Women have a higher (18.7%) mental workload perception than men. Likewise, NASA-TLX scores are 22% higher for feelers than thinkers. In general, higher perceptions of mental workload were observed in participants with higher anxiety levels. On the other hand, body postures seem to be influenced by different individual factors depending on the nature of the activity. RULA scores increased on average by 13.1% between baseline and time constraint conditions. Larger differences were observed in certain individuals (e.g. introverts (19.7%) and intuitors (13.8%)) across conditions.

Musculoskeletal disorders and pain in agricultural workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Agricultural workers constitute two-thirds of the population of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) and are at increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) due to high-risk activities. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesise the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of musculoskeletal pain amongst agricultural workers to identify priority areas for prevention and development of early interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis included Studies published from the inception of global electronic databases until 30 September 2022 were included. Prevalence estimates for MSDs among agricultural workers aged over 18 years in LMIC were extracted. Narrative synthesis summarized study findings and pooled estimates for 12-month pain prevalence were calculated. 7502 potential studies were identified. 64 studies (68,684 participants from 23 countries) were included in the systematic review; 33 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Low back pain was the most widely investigated symptom. The 12-month pooled prevalence of low back pain was highest in Africa [61.96% (45.69-76.22)] compared to Asia [54.16% (47.76-60.50)] and South/Central America [28.52%(10.91-50.33)]. Narrative synthesis found associations between MSDs, particular activities including heavy lifting and repetitive movements, and outcomes including reduced productivity. MSDs are common in agriculture workers in LMIC. Global prevalence of low back pain in farmers, particularly in Africa, is greater than in previously reported global prevalence in the general population. This may be attributed to environmental factors and high-risk activities which could be targeted for prevention and early intervention strategies to support individuals, prevent disability, and reduce loss of productivity.

Effect of MSDs and scope of ergonomic interventions among rubber processing workers: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The rubber processing workers experience various types of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to awkward postures, repetitive movements, and manual loads etc. Research on MSDs and ergonomic interventions in this area is limited. Therefore, the present systematic review aims to (i) identify various operations done by rubber processing workers and their associated MSDs, (ii) explore the ergonomic intervention and post-intervention study and its impact among the workers, (iii) identify the research gaps in MSDs and ergonomic interventions through bibliometric analysis.

METHODS

Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted in Web of Science, ScienceDirect and PubMed for the search term "Ergonomics" or "Musculoskeletal disorder" and "Rubber" for the article published before 2020. Eleven papers were identified for the review of MSDs and ergonomic interventions; data were extracted to summarize sample size, data collection methods, analyzing tools, various operations, MSDs, and ergonomic interventions.

RESULTS

The reviewed article is classified according to various operations such as rubber tapping, latex collection, rubber sheeting and sheet pressing. The review reveals that most of the workers experience lower back pain, which involved a traditional way of operating. Every author is trying to recommend some interventions, but post-intervention studies are limited.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the limited post-intervention study, there is a scope of ergonomic interventions in every operation. So, the implementation of a proper ergonomic tool with adequate awareness improves the MSDs among the rubber processing workers. The review will help to identify the various intervention gaps in different operations associated with rubber farming.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain Among Academic Staff of Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Background:

Musculoskeletal pain is a leading cause of morbidity, low productivity. Thus; not only affecting the individual’s quality of life; it also creates a burden in the health system and affects the productivity of their institution and the country at large. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among academic staff in developed countries ranges from 47% to 85%. However, there was a scarce of studies in developing country, particularly in the study area.

Purpose:

the aim of the research was to assess the burden of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among Mekelle University academic staff.

Patients and Methods:

An institutional based cross-sectional study was enrolled on 449 participants with a response rate of 92.2%. Multistage sampling technique was deployed to select representatives. Participants under the selected schools, institutes and departments were selected using random sampling method. Data was collected through face to face interview using structured and standardized Nordic questionnaire by trained data collectors at Mekelle University. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. In bivariate logistic regression variables which have P value of <.25 were modeled to multivariate logistic regression. Those variables with P-value of <.05 with 95% CI in multivariate model were taken as statistically significant.

Results:

This study found that burden of musculoskeletal pain among Mekelle University academic staff in the previous 12 month was 65.2%, and in the last 7 days was 29%. Neck pain (41.5%) was most prevalent followed by low back pain (40.3%). Female gender (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.58-5.76), Body mass index ⩾25 (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.15-11.39), working hours per day (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.54-6.38), and physical inactivity (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.69-7.16), were the independent factors positevly associated with musculoskeletal pain.

Conclusion:

The burden of musculoskeletal pain among Mekelle University academic staff was common. Female gender, being overweight and obese, working >5 hours per day, and being physically inactive increase the odds of experiencing musculoskeletal pains among academicians. Therefore the university authorities and all academicians are recommended that to take preventable measures of musculoskeletal pain.

The effects of walking intervention on preventing neck pain in office workers: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of increased daily walking steps on the 6-month incidence of neck pain among office workers.

METHODS

Healthy office workers with high risk of neck pain were recruited into a 6-month prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned at the cluster level, into either intervention (n = 50) or control (n = 41) groups. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to increase their daily walking steps to a designated level for a duration of 6 months. Participants in the control group received no intervention. The outcome measures included the 6-month incidence of neck pain as well as its pain intensity and disability level. Analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Of the participants in the intervention and control groups, 22% and 34% reported a 6-month incidence of neck pain, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a significant preventive effect of walking intervention was found (adjusted odd ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.06-0.75). No significant difference in pain intensity and disability level was found between those in the intervention and control groups.

CONCLUSION

An intervention to increase daily walking steps reduced onset neck pain in high-risk office workers. However, the walking interventions did not decrease pain intensity and disability in those increasing the number of daily walking steps compared to the control group.

Workplace psychosocial and organizational factors for neck pain in workers in the United States

BACKGROUND

Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition among workers in the United States. This study explores a set of workplace psychosocial and organization-related factors for neck pain.

METHODS

Data used for this study come from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey which provides a representative sample of the US population. To account for the complex sampling design, the Taylor linearized variance estimation method was used. Logistic regression models were constructed to measure the associations.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated significant associations between neck pain and a set of workplace risk factors, including work-family imbalance, exposure to a hostile work environment and job insecurity, non-standard work arrangements, multiple jobs, and long work hours.

CONCLUSION

Workers with neck pain may benefit from intervention programs that address issues related to these workplace risk factors. Future studies exploring both psychosocial risk factors and physical risk factors with a longitudinal design will be important. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:549-560, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers

BACKGROUND

Rubber tapping exposes workers to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.

METHODS

Questionnaires were administered to 300 rubber tappers to measure MSDs and potential associated factors. Ergonomic exposure levels were measured for 90 tappers using the Quick Exposure Check instrument. MSD prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated using log-binomial regression.

RESULTS

In the past 12 months, 66% of rubber tappers in our sample experienced an MSD. Ergonomic exposure levels were high or very high in the back (94.4%), shoulders (96.7%), and neck (83.3%). Being female, older, Tamil, working two jobs, alternating tapping hands, and depression were significantly associated with increased risk of MSDs.

CONCLUSIONS

MSDs are common among rubber tappers in Sri Lanka. These results suggest a need for work process modifications to prevent MSDs.