A Cross-sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Risk Factors in Cambodian Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Region, Thailand.
10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.009
- Author:
Anamai THETKATHUEK
1
;
Parvena MEEPRADIT
;
Teerayut SA-NGIAMSAK
Author Information
1. Department of Industrial Hygiene and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand. anamai@buu.ac.th
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
agriculture;
Cambodian workers;
eastern Thailand;
migrant;
musculoskeletal disorder
- MeSH:
Agriculture*;
Arm;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*;
Checklist;
Cross-Sectional Studies*;
Farmers*;
Female;
Fruit*;
Humans;
Low Back Pain;
Male;
Neck Pain;
Odds Ratio;
Posture;
Risk Factors*;
Shoulder;
Thailand*;
Transients and Migrants;
Upper Extremity
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2018;9(2):192-202
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are accumulative disorders that are most frequently found in agricultural farmers. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect symptoms resulting from work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Cambodian farm workers working in fruit plantations in the eastern region of Thailand. METHODS: The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, and Hazard Zone Jobs Checklist techniques were used to interview 861 farmers who participated in the study. RESULTS: The data showed that men who had been working for >10 years were more at risk of neck pain than those working for < 1 year with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.90, 14.5). Among women those who had been working for >10 years experienced lower back pain with aOR 8.13, 95% CI (1.04, 63.74), compared with those who had been working for <1 year. Men whose tasks required raising the arms above shoulder height had a risk factor contributing to neck pain of aOR 1.68, 95% CI (1.08, 2.61) when compared with those who did not work with this posture, and women had aOR 1.82, 95% CI (1.07, 3.12) when compared with those who did not work with this posture. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that work-related health conditions are monitored in migrant plantation workers to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.
