Last modified: 2022-09-04
Abstract
Dennis Assibey
Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho Ghana
Corresponding author:
Dennis Assibey, PT., M.Sc.
E-mail: dassibey@uhas.edu.gh
Abstract
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) describe a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative disorders affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, supporting blood vessels, caused or aggravated by work resulting in pain and impairments. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among sawmill workers have been topics of concern recently necessitating investigation.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of WRMSDs among sawmill workers in Accra.
Method: A cross sectional study using a self-structured questionnaire and Modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire for Analysis of Musculoskeletal symptoms through a structured interview was used to collect data from sawmill workers in Accra. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data collected. Chi-square was used to find the association between workers’ age, years of working and the prevalence of WRMSD among sawmill workers. Significance level was set at p<0.05.
Results: A total of 304 (males; mean age: 35.9 ± 6.37 years) workers were included in the study. The overall prevalence of WRMSDs among the sawmill workers was 80.6% (n=245). A total of 898 and 781 incidence of injuries (WRMSDs) were recorded in the 12-month and 7-day prevalence respectively. The lumbosacral area was the most affected body part, 22.38% (n=201) and 27.4% (n=214) injuries, followed by the shoulders 16.48% (n=148) and 16.77% (n=131) injuries in the 12-month and 7-day prevalence respectively. Wood loaders were mostly affected, 47.1% (n=423) and 50.19% (n= 392) injuries in the 12-month and 7-day prevalence respectively. Manual lifting or transferring heavy load was the most significant contributor (98.36%, n=241) to WRMSDs.
There was no significant association between workers’ age and prevalence of WRMSDs. However, there was significant association between years of working and prevalence of WRMSDs.
Conclusion: The prevalence of WRMSDs was high among the sawmill workers. This highlights the need for sawmill workers to modify/improve their work routine/techniques to reduce WRMSDs.
Keywords: Prevalence, work-related, musculoskeletal disorders, sawmill workers, wood loaders
References:
Bello SR and Mijinyawa Y (2010). Assessment of Injuries in Small Scale Sawmill Industry of South Western Nigeria. Agricultural Engineering International: CIGR. Journal of Scientific Research and Development; 12(1); 151-157.
Saldana N (1996). Active surveillance of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders: An essential component in ergonomic problems. In Bhattacharya A, McGlothin J (Eds), Occupational Ergonomics: Theory of practice. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York; 489-500.