Work-related disease symptoms and occupational injuries among coffee processing industry workers in Bench-Sheko and Kaffa Zones Southwest, Ethiopia: A mixed-method study.

Background: Occupational injuries have become one of the most critical rooting causes paying to infirmities and life-threatening conditions in developed and developing countries. Workers in the coffee industry face some occupational health and safety issues. However, there is limited evidence on this important public health issue. Hence, this research was conducted to assess work-related disease symptoms and occupational injuries among coffee processing workers in Southwest, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study supplemented with a qualitative method was done. A total of 721 workers were involved in the study for quantitative information. In addition, we performed a total of 22 in-depth and five key informant interviews for generating qualitative evidence. Quantitative data was collected by an interview-based questionnaire which is adapted from similar studies. We conducted descriptive, binary logistic, and multivariable regression analysis as necessary, to ascertain the factors affecting occupational injuries. We collected qualitative data guided by an interview guide, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using ATLAS ti version-8 by applying a content analysis approach. Finally, quotes from participants that had exemplary ideas were triangulated along with quantitative findings. Result: The overall prevalence rate of work-related symptoms and occupational injuries among coffee processing workers were 21.7 and 13.4% respectively. Age group 30-39 and 40-49 (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.95, 95% CI 1.37, 2.79, (AOR 3.28, 95% CI 1.89, 5.69, respectively, income level (AOR 0.24, 95% CI 0.16, 0.36, p = 0.000), experience (AOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.04, 2.60, p = 0.034), and smoking cigarette (AOR 5.59, 95% CI 2.78, 11.26, p = 0.000) were significantly associated with the work-related symptom. In addition, training related to the job (AOR 11.88, 95% CI1.34, 105.57, p = 0.026) was significantly associated with occupational injuries among coffee processing industry workers. Conclusion: The prevalence of work-related symptoms and occupational injuries was high among coffee processing industry workers in southwest Ethiopia. Therefore, there is a need for regulations for both government and industry owners to advance the occupational conditions and ergonomic structure of coffee processing industries.

Effect of customized foot orthotics in addition to usual care for the management of chronic low back pain following work-related low back injury.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of customized foot orthotics in addition to usual care (UC) compared with UC alone for the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain after work-related injury. METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients presenting with chronic (>3 months), nonspecific, low back pain following work-related low back injury were included in the study. A total of 30 patients in the UC group were given a 6-week exercise therapy program along with prescription analgesics. The intervention group, composed of 32 patients, received UC in addition to customized foot orthotics (orthotics group). All subjects completed the Oswestry Disability Index at the initiation of the study and at 8-week follow-up. Work disability, as defined by working at usual, preinjury job labor level, was recorded at baseline and 8-week follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 28 subjects in the UC group and 32 in the orthotics group completed the study. The 2 groups were well matched in terms of age, sex distribution, and duration of low back pain as well as baseline Oswestry Disability Index score. At 8 weeks, both groups had improved. The orthotics group had a lower Oswestry Disability Index than the UC group (P < .01), with a smaller proportion of the orthotics group using any form of prescribed analgesics for back pain (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that patients in this study with chronic, nonspecific low back pain following work-related low back injury had greater improvement in short-term outcomes with orthotics and UC than with UC alone.