Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among coffee harvesters in Chiang Rai, Thailand: Prevalence, severity, and risk factors
Keywords:
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), Coffee harvesters, ThailandAbstract
Purpose - Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) greatly impact the health of the working population, especially unskilled labor such as farmers and low-income workers. The study aimed to assess the occurrence and risk factors associated with WMSDs among coffee harvesters in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach - This cross-sectional study was conducted in WMSDs among 272 coffee harvesters in Chiang Rai Province. The questionnaire was adapted from Standard Nordic Questionnaire; and the face-to-face interview was performed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.
Findings - The occurrence of 7-days and 12-months WMSDs were 79.4% and 81.6%; the most prevalent pains were in the areas of neck, shoulder and wrist. The risk factors that were significantly associated with 7-days WMSDs were age (OR=2.47, 95% CI=1.01-1.08), smoking (OR=2.85, 95% CI=1.22-7.36) and stress (OR=2.84, 95% CI=1.44-6.00) while the risk factors associated with 12-months WMSDs were age (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.10-4.32) and stress (OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.26-4.95). The work postures which were significantly associated with the nine body areas were twisting body, lifting arms above shoulders, and carrying heavy objects.
Originality/value - This information can be used for further study to find the causal-effect relationship between WMSDs and risk factors; moreover, it helps as a guideline to implement future intervention and prevention program to reduce WMSDs.
References
2. National Statistical Office [NSO]. Summary of the labor force survey in Thailand: December 2016. Bangkok: NSO; 2016.
3. Luangwilai T, Norkaew S, Siriwong W. Factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among rice farmers: Cross sectional study in Tarnlalord sub-district, Phimai district, Nakhonratchasima province, Thailand. Journal of Health Research. 2014; 28(Suppl.): S85-S91.
4. Thetkathuek A, Meepradit P, Sa-Ngiamsak T. A Cross-sectional study of musculoskeletal symptoms and risk factors in Cambodian fruit farm workers in eastern region, Thailand. Saf Health Work. 2018 Jun; 9(2): 192-202. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.009
5. World Health Organization [WHO]. Global database on body mass index. Available from: http://apps.who.int/bmi/index.jsp?introPage=intro_3.html
6. Henry LJ, Jafarzadeh Esfehani A, Ramli A, Ishak I, Justine M, Mohan V. Patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in palm plantation occupation. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015 Mar; 27(2): NP1785-92. doi: 10.1177/1010539513475657
7. Pintakham K, Siriwong W. Effectiveness of the multidimensional ergonomic intervention model to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort among street sweepers in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2016; 9: 275-83. doi: 10.2147/rmhp.S110864
8. Osborne A, Blake C, Meredith D, Kinsella A, Phelan J, McNamara J, et al. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Irish farm operators. Am J Ind Med. 2013 Feb; 56(2): 235-42. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22092
9. Phajan T, Nilvarangkul K, Settheetham D, Laohasiriwong W. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sugarcane farmers in north-eastern Thailand. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2014 May; 26(3): 320-7. doi: 10.1177/1010539514528026
10. Department of Disease Control, Bureau of Occupational and Environmental Diseases [BOED]. Disease related to bone and muscle. Available from: http://envocc.ddc.moph.go.th/uploads/situation/4_5_situation.pdf
11. Meksawi S, Tangtrakulwanich B, Chongsuvivatwong V. Musculoskeletal problems and ergonomic risk assessment in rubber tappers: A community-based study in southern Thailand. Int J Ind Ergon. 2012; 42(1): 129-35. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2011.08.006
12. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sorensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987 Sep; 18(3): 233-7.
13. Parkitny L, McAuley J. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). J Physiother. 2010; 56(3): 204. doi: 10.1016/S1836-9553(10)70030-8
14. Jain R, Meena ML, Dangayach GS, Bhardwaj AK. Association of risk factors with musculoskeletal disorders in manual-working farmers. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2018 Jan; 73(1): 19-28. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2017.1289890
15. Kolstrup CL. Work-related musculoskeletal discomfort of dairy farmers and employed workers. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2012 Nov; 7: 23. doi: 10.1186/1745-6673-7-23
16. da Costa BR, Vieira ER. Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review of recent longitudinal studies. Am J Ind Med. 2010 Mar; 53(3): 285-323. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20750
17. Leino-Arjas P. Smoking and musculoskeletal disorders in the metal industry: a prospective study. Occup Environ Med. 1998 Dec; 55(12): 828-33.
18. Nunes IL, Bush PM. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders assessment and prevention. In: Nunes IL, editor. Ergonomics: A systems approach. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech; 2012. p.1-30.
19. Taechasubamorn P, Nopkesorn T, Pannarunothai S. Prevalence of low back pain among rice farmers in a rural community in Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai. 2011 May; 94(5): 616-21.
20. Ng YG, Mohd Tamrin SB, Mohd Yusoff IS, Hashim Z, Deros BM, Abu Bakar S, et al. Risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among oil palm fruit harvesters during early harvesting stage. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015 13 March 2014; 22(2): 286-92. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1152101
21. Lopez-Aragon L, Lopez-Liria R, Callejon-Ferre AJ, Gomez-Galan M. Applications of the standardized nordic questionnaire: A review. Sustainability. 2017 Sep; 9(9). doi: 10.3390/su9091514
