The prevalence and postural risk level identification for developing musculoskeletal symptomps (MSS) among dairy farm workers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract Background: The Musculoskeletal symptoms in working population represent one of the most important worrying health related issues in working population in resent time. The MSSs prevalence is growing day by day all group of working population and dairy farm workers are also the same conditions as like as other professions. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among Bangladeshi dairy farm workers has not been investigated. So, the purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of MSS and identify the postural risk levels for developing MSS among dairy farm workers in Bangladesh. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was performed with 105 dairy farm workers conveniently selected from Savar. Two questionnaires were used for the study. The NMQ was used to determine the prevalence & the REBA was used to identify the postural risk level for developing musculoskeletal symptoms among dairy farm workers. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms during the 12 months preceding data collection was 95.2%, & the normal activities disruption prevalence was 79.0%. The most affected body parts was the lower back 81.9%. The proportion of neck 70.5%, knee 67.6%, wrist/hand 60.0%, shoulders 30.5%, ankle/feet 22.9%, elbows 17.1%, upper back 17.1% and hip/thigh/buttock 7.6% during the 12 months. The highest prevalence of normal activities disruption at last 12 months was lower back 59.9%. The proportion of neck 54.3%, knee 51.4%, wrist/hand 32.4%, shoulders 18.1%, ankle/feet 17.1, upper back 8.6%, hip/thigh/buttock 4.8, elbows 3.8%. There had no significant association between socio-demographic factors and musculoskeletal symptoms in last 12months. The risk level to dairy farm workers was found to be 21.0% medium risk, 70.5% high risk and 8.6% very high risk level. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of lower back musculoskeletal symptoms among dairy farm workers. Therefore more education for farm workers about effective ergonomic management is necessary in order to significantly reduce lower back MSS.