Investigating the relationship between body structure status, work activity type, and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among detergent industry workers
Affiliations: [a]
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| [b]
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Faculty of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Bahonar Boulevard, Qazvin 34199-15315, Iran. Tel.: +982833359501 (Int.3737), Fax: +98 28 33355162; E-mail: svarmazyar@qums.ac.ir ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6096-072X.
Note: [1] https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6875-7117.
Note: [2] https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4332-5194.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:
The physical condition of workers’ body structure and assigned duties, can contribute to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body structure status, type of work activity, and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the detergent industry. METHODS:
This cross-sectional study involved 148 industrial workers selected based on inclusion criteria and their medical checkup records. Data collection for the study included a demographic information questionnaire, a body map questionnaire, and an assessment of the workers’ musculoskeletal system conducted by three physiotherapists simultaneously. RESULTS:
54.1% of the participants had a total body structure score classified as poor or fair. The neck region showed the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (51.4%), followed by the lower back region (35.1%). Significant associations were found between abnormalities in the upper and middle limbs of the body and the prevalence of pain in the right shoulder region (Fisher/F = 9.29, P≤0.05) as well as the intermediate back region (F = 10.28, P≤0.01). Office workers experienced a higher prevalence of neck pain than workers in the product line and technical roles, with a statistically significant Odds Ratio (OR) ranging between 2.7 and 6.6 times. Conversely, industrial workers who operate powered machinery showed a higher prevalence of pain in the left shoulder (OR = 3.93) and left foot (OR = 4.07). Meanwhile, workers involved in loading and unloading tasks had a higher prevalence of pain in the middle back (OR = 3.61) and right foot (OR = 4.5) compared to office workers. CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of pain in the right shoulder and middle back may be due to abnormalities in the upper and intermediate body structure. Production line workers reported a higher prevalence of pain in the left shoulder, middle back, and foot compared to office workers.
