Incidence and Predictors of Hand-Arm Musculoskeletal Complaints among Vibration-exposed African Cassava and Corn Millers.
10.1016/j.shaw.2014.04.003
- Author:
Lukuke Hendrick MBUTSHU
1
;
Kaj Francoise MALONGA
;
Nlandu Roger NGATU
;
Sakiko KANBARA
;
Benjamin LONGO-MBENZA
;
Narufumi SUGANUMA
Author Information
1. Ecole de Sante Publique, Universite de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
hand-arm vibration exposure;
incidence;
miller;
musculoskeletal complaint
- MeSH:
Africa;
Anonyms and Pseudonyms;
Congo;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Follow-Up Studies;
Incidence*;
Manihot*;
Occupations;
Odds Ratio;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Tobacco Products;
Zea mays*
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2014;5(3):131-135
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cassava and corn milling is a growing small-scale enterprise in Africa. We aimed to determine the incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints among vibration-exposed Congolese cassava and corn millers in the previous 12 months. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, prior to a follow-up study, from March to May 2013 among cassava/corn millers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in which 365 millers age-matched to 365 civil workers anonymously answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints was 25.8% in millers (vs. 5.2% in civil workers; p < 0.001). The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms was seven times higher in millers [vs. civil workers; odds ratio (OR) = 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.03-12.50; p < 0.0001]; 2.4 times higher in smoking millers (vs. smoking civil office workers; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.88; p < 0.001); 3.6 times higher in millers with longer daily exposure (> 8 hours; vs. those working < or = 8 hours; OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.93-3.61; p = 0.026); and 7.4 times higher in young millers (vs. older millers, OR = 7.39; 95% CI: 1.29-75.52; p < 0.001). Smoking, number of cigarettes, and daily exposure duration were positively correlated with musculoskeletal complaints. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a relatively high incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among African cassava and corn millers. The use of anti-vibration protective equipment and the regulation of this hazardous occupation may reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in millers.
