Epidemiological study of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and related risk factors among automobile maintenance workers.
Work
; 76(3): 1219-1231, 2023.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37248938
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The automotive industry is labor-intensive, and workers are involved in highly repetitive tasks, long hours, and medium to low workloads, resulting in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), which have become a major health concern for workers in this industry. China is a major automotive country with tens of thousands of auto repair workers, but their conditions of WMSDs have been poorly reported.OBJECTIVE:
This work aimed to analyze the current prevalence of WMSDs and their associated risk factors among automobile maintenance workers.METHODS:
A total of 539 respondents from 50 automotive repair and maintenance companies in China were selected to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs via the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. Chi-square test and logistic regression models were applied to analyze their associated risk factors.RESULTS:
The total prevalence of WMSDs among 539 workers was 32.8%. The top three body parts for prevalence were the lower back (17.1%), neck (16.3%), and shoulders (14.5%). The highest prevalence of WMSDs was found in the neck (23.6%) and lower back (14.3%) for sheet metal workers and mechanics, respectively, whereas painters had the highest prevalence of WMSDs in the lower back and feet (both at 15.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that females were at higher risk of WMSDs than males (OR 5.027, [95% CI] [1.278-19.772], pâ<â0.05). Workers subjected to uncomfortable positions were at increased risk of WMSDs (OR 1.79, [95% CI] [1.333-2.410], pâ<â0.01).CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of WMSDs is high among automotive maintenance workers, with the highest prevalence in the lower back (17.1%). Uncomfortable working postures and frequent repetitive movements with lower limbs and ankles at work may be important risk factors.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Musculoskeletal Diseases
/
Occupational Diseases
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Work
Journal subject:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China