Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among immigrant Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers in North Carolina |
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| Authors: | Dana C. Mora Christopher M. Miles Haiying Chen Sara A. Quandt Phillip Summers Thomas A. Arcury |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;3. Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;4. Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA;5. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA |
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| Abstract: | This paper evaluates the variability in the prevalence of epicondylitis, rotator cuff syndrome, low back pain, and lower extremity pathology among immigrant Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Data were collected from a study among 272 farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Participants were recruited in eastern and central North Carolina. A physical examination was conducted by trained physicians. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among Latino manual workers is high compared with other workers in similar occupations. Non-farmworkers (49%) had a higher prevalence of MSDs than farmworkers (35%). Epicondylitis (20.2%) and rotator cuff syndrome (19.1%) were most prevalent. Age was found to be significant among those who had epicondylitis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.04) and lower extremity pathology (AOR = 1.07). Latino immigrant manual workers have high prevalence of MSDs. Further studies are needed to identify possible factors that make these populations more vulnerable to MSDs. |
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| Keywords: | Farmworkers immigrant Latino manual workers musculoskeletal disorders |
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