Musculoskeletal Problems among VDU Workers in a Hong Kong Bank

A survey of musculoskeletal problems among visual display unit(VDU) users was carried out in a bank using a self-administeredquestionnaire. The prevalence of complaints in various bodyparts were: neck—31.4%, back 30.6%, shoulder—16.5%,hand and wrist—14.9% and arm—6.6%. Frequent usersof VDU had significantly more musculoskeletal problems in theneck and shoulder regions than infrequent users. Individualmusculoskeletal complaints were associated with various riskfactors including personal attributes, working posture, repetitivemovements and work station design. Back, neck and shoulder problemswere more related to unfavourable working postures, while arm,hand and wrist problems were more affected by repetitive movements.Some risk factors for musculoskeletal problems were specificallyrelated to the nature or design of VDU work. Modification otthe workstation design and improvement in work organizationshould be able to reduce the prevalence of these disorders.     

Prognostic factors for musculoskeletal sickness absence and return to work among welders and metal workers

OBJECTIVES: To analyse factors that determine the occurrence of sickness absence due to musculoskeletal problems and the time it takes to return to work. METHODS: A longitudinal study with two year follow up was conducted among 283 male welders and metal workers. The survey started with a standardised interview on the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints. 61 (22%) workers were lost to follow up. Data on sickness absence among 222 workers during the follow up were collected from absence records and self reports. Regression analysis based on proportional hazards models was applied to identify risk factors for the occurrence and duration of sickness absence due to various musculoskeletal complaints. RESULTS: During the follow up 51% of the workers attributed at least one period of sickness absence to musculoskeletal complaints which accounted for 44% of all work days lost. A history of back pain was not associated with sickness absence for back pain, partly because subjects with back pain were more likely to be lost to follow up. Neck or shoulder pain and pain of the upper extremities contributed significantly to neck or shoulder absence (relative risk (RR) 3.35; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.73 to 6.47) and to upper extremities absence (RR 2.29; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.46), respectively. Company and job title were also significant predictors for sickness absence due to these musculoskeletal complaints. Absence with musculoskeletal complaints was not associated with age, height, body mass index, smoking, and duration of employment. Return to work after neck or shoulder absence was worse among metal workers than welders (RR 2.12; 95% CI 1.08 to 4.17). Return to work after lower extremities absence was strongly influenced by visiting a physician (RR 11.31; 95% CI 2.94 to 43.46) and by musculoskeletal comorbidity (RR 2.81; 95% CI 1.18 to 6.73). CONCLUSIONS: Complaints of the neck or shoulder and upper extremities in the 12 months before the study were associated with sickness absence for these complaints during the follow up. Workers with absence due to pain from back, neck or shoulder, upper extremities, or lower extremities were at higher risk of subsequent sickness absence in the next year.

 

     

Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among nursing personnel in Greek hospitals

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between physical, psychosocial, and individual characteristics and different endpoints of musculoskeletal complaints of the lower back, neck and shoulders. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study a questionnaire survey was carried out among 351 nursing personnel (response 84%) in six general hospitals in Athens, Greece. A questionnaire was used on physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health and (1) the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in the past 12 months, (2) chronic complaints during at least 3 months, and (3) complaints which led to sickness absence. In logistic regression analysis odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for all relevant risk factors. RESULTS: Self-reported factors of physical load were associated with the occurrence of back pain (OR=1.85), neck pain (OR=1.88), and shoulder pain (OR=1.87) but these factors were not associated with chronic complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence. Physical load showed a trend with the number of musculoskeletal complaints with ORs of 2.47 and 4.13 for two and three musculoskeletal complaints, respectively. No consistent influence of psychosocial factors on complaints, chronicity, or sickness absence was observed. A perceived moderate general health was also a risk factor, and strongest associations were observed for sickness absence due to back pain (OR=2.03), neck pain (OR=8.31), and shoulder pain (OR=6.84). CONCLUSIONS: The handling of physical loads among nurses seems to put them at risk for the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. The development of these complaints into chronic complaints and associated sickness absence is strongly determined by perceived general health and almost not associated with work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors. When the influence of work-related risk factors on musculoskeletal health is being investigated, the general health status of individual workers should be taken into account.     

A comparative analysis on musculoskeletal disorders between Greek and Dutch nursing personnel

Objective: To analyse cross-cultural differences between Greek and Dutch nursing personnel in association with the risk factors and occurrence and consequences (absenteeism and medical care seeking) of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This study was based on questionnaire surveys among 393 nurses and caregivers in nursing homes and homes for the elderly in The Netherlands and among 351 nurses in general hospitals in Athens, Greece. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse associations between physical and psychosocial workload, need for recovery, perceived general health and (1) the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints in the past 12 months, (2) chronic complaints during at least 3 months, and (3) complaints which led to sickness absence and medical care seeking. Results: Greek nurses reported significantly more back complaints in the past 12 months (75 vs. 62%) than the Dutch workers, but chronicity (11 vs. 12%) and sickness absence (17 vs. 15%) of these complaints did not differ. Similar differences were observed for neck complaints but not for shoulder complaints. Most Greek nurses with back complaints visited a medical specialist (40%) while Dutch nurses and caregivers sought care through a general practitioner (33%). Multivariate analyses showed that in both countries strenuous back postures (ORs 1.9 and 1.9) and especially a moderate general health (ORs 4.3 and 2.9) were the significant risk factors for back pain. Conclusions: In both countries similar risk factors were associated with the occurrence of low-back pain. Cross-national differences were less important for the risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints than for the consequences of these complaints and for medical care seeking.     

Prevalence of upper extremity symptoms and possible risk factors in workers handling paper currency

The prevalence of upper extremity symptoms in the workforceis high, particularly in industries characterized by forceful,repetitive or awkward movements. A study was undertaken to assessthe prevalence of upper extremity symptoms in bank workers ina paper currency processing operation and to examine the roleof possible risk factors for these complaints. Thirty-nine workersof a total workforce of 47 were assessed with a questionnaireand physical examination. The questionnaire collected informationabout demographics, health status, symptom reporting, psychosocialwork stressors and other work exposure characteristics. Overall,59% of the workers reported having significant work-relatedupper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms in the preceding year,including 49% with neck and shoulder symptoms and 49% with armand wrist symptoms. In this study the key predictive factorfor upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms was psychologicaljob demands. The workers had similar ergonomic stressors (withlittle gradient of exposure) and therefore our results do notcontradict the importance of ergonomic factors in the developmentof upper extremity symptoms. However, the results do suggestthat within a group exposed to similar ergonomic stressors,psychological job demands may be an important factor associatedwith musculoskeletal symptoms.     

The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among women in Tijuana, Mexico: sociodemographic and occupational risk factors

The authors interviewed an age- and occupation-stratified sample of 466 women, aged 18-40, from 12 Tijuana neighborhoods, about sociodemographic characteristics, work and reproductive history, and musculoskeletal complaints. A total of 29.8% reported experiencing aches or pain in the low back, 38.3% in the upper back, 26.4% in the neck/shoulders, 18.2% in the hand/wrist, and 28.3% in the legs in the preceding year. Both sociodemographic and occupational factors were associated with these complaints. Very low educational attainment, having substandard housing, being the head of household, and being a migrant were each associated with an increased prevalence of one or more musculoskeletal complaints. In general, working outside the home increased the risk of musculoskeletal complaints. Compared with women who had not worked in the preceding 30-month period, those working in the maquiladora had 40-90% higher risks of upper back, neck/shoulder, and hand/wrist pain. Compared with women working outside the maquiladora, maquiladora women workers had 20% higher risks of low back, upper back, and neck/shoulder complaints. More detailed studies of the incidences of musculoskeletal disorders and of specific etiologic risk factors within the maquiladora industry are warranted. Future studies should concurrently evaluate sociodemographic risk factors.     

Musculoskeletal Problems in the Tomato Growing Industry: 'Tomato Trainer's Shoulder'?

Tomato training entails highly repetitive shoulder muscle contractions,static contractions and work at shoulder level, factors linkedin other working groups with neck and shoulder complaints. Thefrequency of musculoskeletal complaints was compared using theNordic Questionnaire in 56 tomato trainers and 52 other matchedglasshouse workers whose job did not include these work taskfactors. A higher 12- month (odds ratio (OR) = 5.9; [95% confidenceinterval (Cl) = 2.4–16.7] and 7- day (OR = 3.6, Cl = 1.2–11.1)period prevalence of shoulder complaint was recorded in trainersthan in pickers and deleafers. Other upper limb and upper trunkcomplaints were also more common in tomato trainers, highlightingan area of ergonomic concern.     

The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Complaints among Women in Tijuana,Mexico: Sociodemographic and Occupational Risk Factors

Abstract

The authors interviewed an age- and occupation-stratified sample of 466 women, aged 18–40, from 12 Tijuana neighborhoods, about sociodemographic characteristics, work and reproductive history, and musculoskeletal complaints. A total of 29.8% reported experiencing aches or pain in the low back, 38.3% in the upper back, 26.4% in the neck/shoulders, 18.2% in the hand/wrist, and 28.3% in the legs in the preceding year. Both sociodemographic and occupational factors were associated with these complaints. Very low educational attainment, having substandard housing, being the head of household, and being a migrant were each associated with an increased prevalence of one or more musculoskeletal complaints. In general, working outside the home increased the risk of musculoskeletal complaints. Compared with women who had not worked in the preceding 30-month period, those working in the maquiladora had 40–90% higher risks of upper back, neck/shoulder, and hand/wrist pain. Compared with women working outside the maquiladora, maquiladora women workers had 20% higher risks of low back, upper back, and neck/shoulder complaints. More detailed studies of the incidences of musculoskeletal disorders and of specific etiologic risk factors within the maquiladora industry are warranted. Future studies should concurrently evaluate sociodemographic risk factors.     

Musculoskeletal complaints among Italian X-ray technologists

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technologists and to examine their relationship with physical and psychosocial factors. A cross-sectional study was performed in 2006 among 203 X-ray technologists working in 13 hospitals in the Apulia region of southern Italy. A questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, physical workload, psychosocial aspects, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs. Univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression analyses were then performed. The prevalence of complaints at any body site in the previous 12 months was 67%. Low back pain was the most commonly reported symptom (59.6%), followed by shoulder (21.2%), neck (19.7%), leg (13.8%) and hand/wrist pain (12.3%). Age was associated with low back pain, while high physical workload was associated with symptoms in the neck, low back and hand/wrist. High job demands were associated with neck and shoulder pain. Overall, our study suggests high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints may exist among Italian X-ray technologists. Physical workload, psychosocial and individual factors appear to be important risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders within this occupational group.     

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Car Mechanics: A Descriptive Study

A questionnaire concerning musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) andworking environment was answered by 100% of 103 car mechanicsin 12 different garages. Almost all the mechanics had been troubledwith MSS at work the past year. The most common MSS were symptomsfrom the low back, neck, head and shoulders. When asked whichsymptoms had been most troublesome at work most mechanics reportedsymptoms from the low back, upper back, shoulders and neck.Symptoms from the shoulders, low back and upper back were associatedwith absence from work due to MSS (OR = 4.2, 2.3 and 2.1 respectively).Mechanics between the ages of 30 and 40 reported significantlymore shoulder symptoms than both younger and older colleagues(p<0.00l). It seems that symptoms from the back and shouldersrestrain car mechanics' work more than any other MSS. The mechanics'most common working postures may contribute to the developmentof back and shoulder symptoms.     

广州市某啤酒制造厂工人颈肩背多部位肌肉骨骼疾患危险因素研究

目的调查啤酒制造厂工人多部位工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患(work-related musculoskeletal disorders,WMSDs)的现状,并分析其影响因素。方法采用横断面调查方法,于2021年9月以广州市某啤酒制造厂的501名员工为研究对象,使用中文版《肌肉骨骼疾患调查问卷》调查WMSDs患病现状,应用多因素logistic回归方法分析颈、肩、背多部位WMSDs的危险因素。结果啤酒制造厂员工WMSDs总患病率达39.7%,其中各部位患病率较高的是颈部27.1%、肩部25.0%、下背部24.0%和上背部23.2%。工人单一部位WMSDs患病率为10.8%,多部位WMSDs患病率为28.9%,2个部位同时患病的比例是3.8%,3个部位同时患病的比例是4.4%,4个部位同时患病的比例是16.4%,5个及以上部位同时患病的比例为4.6%,其中颈、肩、上背、下背4个部位同时患病的比例为17.8%(89/501),上肢部位(肘部、手腕部)同时患病的比例为3.2%(16/501),下肢部位(腿部、膝部、踝部)同时患病的比例为2.2%(11/501)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示:相对于总工龄<5年,总工龄5~9年、10~14年的员工罹患颈、肩、上背、下背多部位WMSDs的风险分别提高至2.781倍、3.480倍(P<0.05);以不舒服姿势工作罹患颈、肩、上背、下背多部位WMSDs的风险提高至2.343倍(P<0.05);大专及以上文化程度(相对于初中及以下)、每天从事同样工作是颈、肩、上背、下背多部位WMSDs的保护因素(OR=0.355、0.554,P<0.05)。结论啤酒制造行业WMSDs患病风险较高,以多部位WMSDs发病为主,其中以颈、肩、上背、下背多部位患病模式较为常见。啤酒制造行业可以通过避免不舒服作业姿势,重点关注工龄长、文化程度较低的员工,以降低工人多部位WMSDs的发病风险。     

社区医务人员职业性肌肉骨骼疾患发生情况及危险因素分析

目的了解社区卫生服务中心医务人员职业性肌肉骨骼疾患(WMSDs)发生及其危险因素。方法采用流行病学横断面调查方法,选择《北欧肌肉骨骼疾患问卷(改良版)》对广州市3家社区卫生服务中心145名医务人员的肌肉骨骼疾患及其影响因素进行调查。结果 WMSDs发生率最高的部位依次是颈部(393%)、肩部(324%)、下背部(200%)和上背部(172%);下背和手部WMSDs发生率医生最高,肘和下肢(腿、膝和踝部) WMSDs发生率以护士最高。颈部WMSDs危险因素是经常加班(OR=307),下背部WMSDs危险因素是背部弯曲(OR=1215)和颈部长时间保持同一姿势(OR=1437)。工作姿势舒适(OR=037)为肩部保护因素。结论社区卫生服务中心医务人员WMSDs不容忽视,不同岗位医务人员WMSDs发生部位略有差异。可通过合理安排加班、保持工作姿势舒适、减少长时间弯腰和避免颈部长时间保持同一姿势等措施预防和控制医务人员WMSDs的发生。     

广州市某造船厂工人颈部工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患影响因素分析

目的 调查广州市某造船厂工人工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患(work-related musculoskeletal disorders,WMSDs)患病情况,探讨影响颈部WMSDs的主要因素.方法 以广州市某造船厂工作人员为研究对象,采用《北欧肌肉骨骼疾患问卷(修改版)》调查其WMSDs患病情况,运用多因素logistic回归...     

Associations of self estimated workloads with musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses

OBJECTIVES—To investigate the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and arm pain (NSAP) as well as low back pain (LBP) among hospital nurses, and to examine the association of work tasks and self estimated risk factors with NSAP and LBP.
METHODS—A cross sectional study was carried out in a national university hospital in Japan. Full time registered nurses in the wards (n=314) were selected for analysis. The questionnaire was composed of items on demographic conditions, severity of workloads in actual tasks, self estimated risk factors for fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain in the previous month. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Cox's proportional hazards model to study the association of pain with variables related to work and demographic conditions.
RESULTS—The prevalences of low back, shoulder, neck, and arm pain in the previous month were 54.7%, 42.8%, 31.3%, and 18.6%, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among hospital nurses was higher than in previous studies. In the Cox's models for LBP and NSAP, there were no significant associations between musculoskeletal pain and the items related to work and demographic conditions. The RRs for LBP tended to be relatively higher for "accepting emergency patients" and some actual tasks. Some items of self estimated risk factors for fatigue tended to have relatively higher RRs for LBP and NSAP.
CONCLUSIONS—It was suggested that musculoskeletal pain among hospital nurses may have associations with some actual tasks and items related to work postures, work control, and work organisation. Further studies, however, are necessary, as clear evidence of this potential association was not shown in the study.


Keywords: workloads; musculoskeletal pain; nurses     

Work related risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints in the spinning industry in Lithuania

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of self reported musculoskeletal complaints in the back, arms or neck, and legs among workers in the spinning industry, and to investigate the relations between these complaints and work related variables. METHODS: An interview based questionnaire survey was carried out in two spinning industry factories in Lithuania. RESULTS: The study group consisted of all workers in production (n = 363). Symptoms of the legs were the musculoskeletal symptom reported most often (61%). Many subjects had arms or neck (55%) or back problems (28%). 20% had experienced pain from all three sites. Almost 25% had had musculoskeletal pain every day and 16% had experienced constant pain during previous year. Packers had the highest risk of arms or neck problems whereas spinners had the highest risk of back or leg problems. Working in a strained posture (bending, work with arms raised up above shoulder level, and repetitive movements of the fingers) was associated with all three complaints. Only arms or neck complaints were associated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common problem among workers producing gobelin or synthetic thread in Lithuania and working in a strained posture is a risk factor for developing musculoskeletal disorders in three body sites: legs, arms or neck, and back. To better understand the different aspects of physical load as risk factors, a more detailed study of the frequency of postural changes as well as an observation of individually adopted postures would be necessary. This applies to intervention studies in factories of the spinning industry to prevent complaints of the legs and shoulders.

 

     

Musculoskeletal complaints in lock assemblers, testers and inspectors

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalenceof musculoskeletal complaints in a population of lock assemblersin the West Midlands; to follow one group over 12 months andto explore the relationship between survey data, sickness absenceinformation and claims experience. An adapted Nordic MusculoskeletalQuestionnaire was used to determine annual and weekly prevalenceand annual disability rates for musculoskeletal complaints.There was no statistically significant difference in complaintsbetween the six companies, apart from an increased reportingof neck (p < 0.001), upper back (p < 0.001) and hip (p< 0.05) symptoms at one company (Site 4) during the weekprior to the study. When the study was repeated at Site 4 oneyear later, new employees had significantly fewer complaintsof neck and elbow discomfort over the previous year and week,but no difference in wrist complaints was reported. This surveyof lock assemblers has highlighted high levels of self-reportedupper limb complaints when compared to other referent groupsof workers.     

Musculoskeletal disorders in farmers and farm workers

Farming is a physically arduous occupation and this places farm workers at potential risk of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee, low back pain (LBP), neck and upper limb complaints, and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). This review considers the epidemiological evidence concerning such risks. The strongest evidence relates to OA of the hip, for which the public health impact is likely to be considerable. There is also weaker, but suggestive evidence that farmers more often have knee OA and LBP than workers in occupations with fewer physical demands. Tractor drivers, in particular, seem to have more LBP. Relatively little information exists on the risks of soft tissue rheumatism in the limbs and neck. For some outcomes, the link with occupational risk factors (such as heavy loading of joints and whole-body vibration) is sufficient to suggest the course that future prevention should take, but for several outcomes more research is first needed.     

Factors associated with medical care-seeking due to low-back pain in scaffolders

BACKGROUND: Few studies have demonstrated the consequences of having back pain and the mechanisms underlying decisions to seek medical care. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of back pain and other musculoskeletal complaints and to identify factors that determine specific type of care-seeking due to back pain among scaffolders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 scaffolders. A questionnaire was used to collect data on musculoskeletal complaints and type of medical care sought. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the risk factors for care-seeking for LBP, estimating Prevalence Ratios (PR) as a measure of association. RESULTS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints was high. Severe back pain was reported by 28% of the scaffolders, LBP with sciatic pain by 23%, with sickness absence by 21%, with disability by 21%, and chronic back pain by 14%. Back pain was often accompanied by complaints of neck, shoulder, or knee. A general practitioner was sought by 44% of the workers with LBP, a physiotherapist by 22%, an occupational physician by 20%, and a specialist by 11%. The nature and severity of back pain seemed to determine the decision to visit the GP. Irradiating pain and sickness absence were the strongest predictors for seeking medical care and being referred to a specialist or physiotherapist. CONCLUSION: The particular definition of back pain and the selection process of workers with LBP may partly determine the findings on work-related risk factors and health care utilization.     

Relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and work-related awkward postures among a group of health care workers in a hospital

BACKGROUND: There are few studies in the Italian literature on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among health care workers (HCW) keeping and holding awkward postures during their job. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of low-back, neck and upper limb complaints and the association between risk factors and MSD in HCW working in 15 wards of the Hospital of Cuneo. METHODS: A questionnaire was submitted to 113 HCW. Information about demographic and occupational factors, and MSD characteristics were collected to be statistically elaborated. RESULTS: The prevalence of complaints regarding at least one of the 3 body regions was 71% in the whole sample (80 subjects). Low back, neck and upper limb were interested, respectively, in 58.4%, 50.4% and 25.7% of the cases. Logistic regression showed a significant association of MSD with score > 7 on the Borg scale (OR = 9.70; CI: 2.01-46.9; p < 0.01), positive musculoskeletal clinical history (OR = 3.67; CI: 1.24-10.88; p < 0.05), and visual defects (OR = 2.88; CI: 1.07-7.81; p < 0.05). Based on the answers from the questionnaire, the onset of MSD was attributed in 41 cases to organizational problems, and in 14 cases to the ergonomic characteristics of the job. CONCLUSIONS: The index of prevalence of MSD associated to work-related awkward postures (71%) is very high, greater than that observed among HCW exposed to manual lifting of weights (21%) in the hospital. Thereafter, assessment of exposure and containment of such occupational risk must be considered useful.     

Prevalence and psychosocial risk factors of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain in industries of Taiwan: a nationwide study

Prevalence of upper extremity disorders and their associations with psychosocial factors in the workplace have received more attention recently. A national survey of cross-sectional design was performed to determine the prevalence rates of upper extremity disorders among different industries. Trained interviewers administered questionnaires to 17,669 workers and data on musculoskeletal complaints were obtained along with information on risk factors. Overall the 1-year prevalence of neck (14.8%), shoulder (16.6%), and hand (12.4%) disorders were higher than those of the upper back (7.1%) and elbow (8.3%) among those who sought medical treatment due to the complaint. Workers in construction and agriculture-related industries showed a higher prevalence of upper extremity disorders. After multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, education, and employment duration, we found job content, physical working condition, a harmonious interpersonal relationship at the workplace and organizational problems were significant determinants of upper extremity disorders in manufacturing and service industries. Male workers in manufacturing industries showed more concern about physical working conditions while female workers in public administration emphasized problems of job content and interpersonal relationships. We concluded that these factors were major job stressors contributing to musculoskeletal pain of the upper extremity.