RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Manual material handling (MMH) activities require workers to adopt various awkward postures leading to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the postures adopted during heavy load handling and the frequency of MSDs among MMH workers in Calcutta, India. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 100 MMH workers. MSD frequency was assessed via the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) was used to analyze working posture. We used logistic regression to predict MSD risk factors. RESULTS: Ninety five percent of workers reported a MSD in at least one body part in the past 12 months. According to OWAS results, 83% of the analysed work postures require immediate corrective measures for worker safety. The most harmful posture was carrying a heavy load overhead. Carrying more than 120 kg increased the odds of low back and neck pain by 4.527 and 4.555, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This sample had a high frequency of reported MSDs, likely attributed to physiologically strenuous occupational activities repeated on average of 30-40 times daily. Ergonomic interventions, such as the use of handcarts, and occupational training are urgently needed.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Postura , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Ergonomía , Frecuencia Cardíaca , Humanos , India/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Frecuencia Respiratoria , Temperatura Cutánea , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine risk factors that predict musculoskeletal discomfort in Chikan embroiderers of West Bengal, India, and to compare the effect of two rest break schedules to reduce these symptoms. METHODS: The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was performed on 400 Chikan embroiderers at baseline containing questions on job autonomy, working behavior, and work stress factors. Relative risk was calculated to identify prognostic factors for musculoskeletal discomfort in different body regions. Two groups of workers received two rest break schedules for 4 months and compared in a between-subject design. Outcome variables were scores of Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scale. RESULTS: Chikan embroiderers are afflicted with musculoskeletal discomfort mainly in the lower back, neck/shoulder and wrist/forearm region, which is attributed to their prolonged working timeinvolving hands and wrists, being in a static seating posture. Rigidity in working methods, prolonged working time, inadequate rest break during the working day, dissatisfaction regarding earning, monotonous work, static sitting posture, and repetitive movement of wrist and forearm were the significant predictors of these symptom developments. Rest break schedule 1 with more frequent and shorter breaks had more significant improvement on the severity of these musculoskeletal discomforts. CONCLUSIONS: Chikan embroiderers perform a highly dreary occupation and various ergonomics conditions work as predictors for developing musculoskeletal discomforts among them. Design of proper rest break schedule involving shorter and frequent breaks was competent for reducing these discomforts to a certain extent.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/prevención & control , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Descanso/fisiología , Industria Textil , Trabajo/fisiología , Adulto , Ergonomía , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Mano/fisiopatología , Humanos , India , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Postura/fisiología , Factores de Riesgo , Muñeca/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Chikan embroidery is a popular handicraft in India that involves hand-intensive stitching while seated in a static posture with the upper back curved and the head bent over the fabric. Women perform most Chikan embroidery. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the repetitive nature of this work among female Chikan embroiderers by measuring the prevalence of upper extremity discomfort and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to analyze the extent of upper extremity pain symptomology. The repetitive nature of Chikan embroidery work was evaluated using the Assessment of Repetitive Tasks of the upper limbs tool (ART). Motor nerve conduction studies of median and ulnar nerves were performed with embroidery workers and a control group to determine the risk of CTS. RESULTS: Among embroidery workers, the prevalence of wrist pain was 68% and forearm pain was 60%. The embroiderers also commonly reported Tingling and numbness in the hands and fingertips. The ART analysis found that Chikan embroidery is a highly repetitive task and nerve conduction studies showed that the embroidery workers were more likely to experience CTS than women in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Chikan embroidery is a hand-intensive occupation involving repetitive use of hands and wrists and this study population is at risk of experiencing CTS. Future research should explore the potential benefits of ergonomics measures including incorporating breaks, stretching exercises, and the use of wrist splints to reduce repetitive strain and the probability of developing CTS.
Asunto(s)
Síndrome del Túnel Carpiano/epidemiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Dolor/epidemiología , Adulto , Síndrome del Túnel Carpiano/fisiopatología , Estimulación Eléctrica , Ergonomía , Femenino , Antebrazo , Humanos , India/epidemiología , Nervio Mediano/fisiología , Conducción Nerviosa , Enfermedades Profesionales/fisiopatología , Dolor/fisiopatología , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Muñeca/inervación , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Handloom is one of the oldest industries in India, particularly in West Bengal, where a considerable number of rural people are engaged in weaving. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of low back pain among the handloom weavers in India. METHODS: A modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire along with a body part discomfort scale were administered to handloom weavers (nâ=â175). Working posture of the participants was assessed using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS). RESULTS: Sixty eight per cent of the participants reported suffering from low back pain, making it the most prevalent disorder in our sample. Analysis of the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire data revealed that among those with low back pain (nâ=â119), 2% had severe disabilities, 46% had moderate disabilities, and 52% had minimal disabilities. Statistical analyses revealed a positive significant association between the intensity of pain in the lower back and an increased number of years of work experience (P<0·05). CONCLUSIONS: The study underlines the need for further research regarding the postural strain of weavers and also suggests the implementation of ergonomic design into weaver workstations to minimize the adverse effect of their current working postures. Improving upon the weaver's work-posture could improve their quality of life.