Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers In An Industry in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra. (original) (raw)

INTRODUCTION The World Health Organization has characterized "work-related" diseases as multifactorial to indicate that several risk factors (e.g., physical, work organizational, psychosocial individual, and sociocultural) contribute to causing these diseases [1]. "Musculoskeletal disorders'' include a wide range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves, and supporting blood vessels. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are widespread in many countries, with substantial costs and impact on quality of life [2]. MSDs occur in certain industries and occupations with rates up to three or four times higher than the overall frequency. High-risk sectors include nursing facilities; air transportation; mining; food processing; leather tanning ; and heavy and light manufacturing (vehicles, furniture , appliances, electrical and electronic products, textiles, apparel and shoes) [3] Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders are also highly prevalent in manual-intensive occupations, such as clerical work, postal service, cleaning, industrial inspection and packaging 4. Back and lower limb disorders occur disproportionately among truck drivers, warehouse workers, airplane baggage handlers, construction trades, nurses, nursing aides and other patient-care workers, and operators of cranes and other large vehicles [4, 5]. ABSTRACT Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are a major public health problem in industrialized and developing countries. The present study was aimed to find out the prevalence of acute and chronic WMSD's in Industrial workers. Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in 60 workers of the Adon Block department workers of the electrical & automation industry, Ahmednagar. Pre-structured occupational Performa was filled by asking questions in the worker's local language. The Nordic pain Questionnaire was filled by asking the subjects to mark the sites of pain on body chart paper. The risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal problems were assessed by the working posture of workers and repetitive movements in industrial set up. The data collected were interpreted and analyzed. Results: In the present study, 60 workers were selected, of which a number of females were 39 (65%) while males were 21 (35%). The Neck (20.2%) followed by the shoulder (14.9%), elbow (14.4%) and knee (14.4%) were most commonly involved. There was a statistically significant variation in the number of workers involved according to the posture (sitting vs standing) and part of the MSK system involved. Conclusion: The WMSD's are common in Adon block department workers. The involvement of neck, shoulder, lower back and arm was common in sitting position, while the involvement of upper back, elbow and knee were common in standing position. The disorders are commonly seen in workers irrespective of their duration of work and gender..