Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda.
Desludging operators
Ergonomic hazards
Uganda
Work-related Musculoskeletal disorders
Journal
BMC musculoskeletal disorders
ISSN: 1471-2474
Titre abrégé: BMC Musculoskelet Disord
Pays: England
ID NLM: 100968565
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
13 Jun 2024
13 Jun 2024
Historique:
received:
20
05
2023
accepted:
03
06
2024
medline:
14
6
2024
pubmed:
14
6
2024
entrez:
13
6
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Despite the limited evidence, desludging operators remain at a heightened risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study established the prevalence and predictors of WMSDs among desludging operators in Uganda. A digitalized structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data on musculoskeletal disorders and routine workplace activities from 303 desludging operators in 11 cities in Uganda. These cities were purposively selected based on the presence of a fecal sludge treatment plant or wastewater treatment plant. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess WMSDs. Simple random sampling with replacements was used to select respondents. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0. Modified Poisson Regression was used to measure the strength of association between the independent variables and WMSDs. A total of 303 study participants were interviewed (97.7% response rate). The average age of the respondents was 34.0 years (SD ± 9.8). The prevalence of WMSDs among desludging operators was 29.7%. The body parts affected by MSDs were; the elbow for 4.6% (14/303), shoulder for 5.0% (15/303), and wrist/hand for 6.3% (19/303) of the respondents. At multivariable analysis, after controlling for age, desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work (APR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20-0.99), and feeling that everything done was an effort (APR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.87) were significantly associated with WMSDs. The prevalence of WMSDs was high among desludging operators in Uganda. Desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work and frequency of feeling that everything done was an effort were significantly associated with WMSDs. Interventions should focus on ensuring adequate provision of ergonomic equipment and promoting practices that reduce the physical strain associated with desludging tasks. Additionally, comprehensive training programs addressing proper lifting techniques and posture awareness could significantly mitigate the risk of WMSDs among desludging-operators.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Despite the limited evidence, desludging operators remain at a heightened risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study established the prevalence and predictors of WMSDs among desludging operators in Uganda.
METHODS
METHODS
A digitalized structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data on musculoskeletal disorders and routine workplace activities from 303 desludging operators in 11 cities in Uganda. These cities were purposively selected based on the presence of a fecal sludge treatment plant or wastewater treatment plant. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess WMSDs. Simple random sampling with replacements was used to select respondents. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0. Modified Poisson Regression was used to measure the strength of association between the independent variables and WMSDs.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total of 303 study participants were interviewed (97.7% response rate). The average age of the respondents was 34.0 years (SD ± 9.8). The prevalence of WMSDs among desludging operators was 29.7%. The body parts affected by MSDs were; the elbow for 4.6% (14/303), shoulder for 5.0% (15/303), and wrist/hand for 6.3% (19/303) of the respondents. At multivariable analysis, after controlling for age, desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work (APR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20-0.99), and feeling that everything done was an effort (APR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.87) were significantly associated with WMSDs.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of WMSDs was high among desludging operators in Uganda. Desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work and frequency of feeling that everything done was an effort were significantly associated with WMSDs. Interventions should focus on ensuring adequate provision of ergonomic equipment and promoting practices that reduce the physical strain associated with desludging tasks. Additionally, comprehensive training programs addressing proper lifting techniques and posture awareness could significantly mitigate the risk of WMSDs among desludging-operators.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38872154
doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07564-1
pii: 10.1186/s12891-024-07564-1
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
461Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
Références
Ekpenyong CE, Inyang UC. Associations between worker characteristics, workplace factors, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a cross-sectional study of male construction workers in Nigeria. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2014;20(3):447–62.
pubmed: 25189749
doi: 10.1080/10803548.2014.11077057
WHO. Musculoskeletal health World Health Organisation 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions
Kassebaum NJ, Arora M, Barber RM, Bhutta ZA, Brown J, Carter A, et al. Global, regional, and national disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 315 diseases and injuries and healthy life expectancy (HALE), 1990–2015: a systematic analysis for the global burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet. 2016;388(10053):1603–58.
doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31460-X
Kiadaliri AA, Woolf AD, Englund M. Musculoskeletal disorders as underlying cause of death in 58 countries, 1986–2011: trend analysis of WHO mortality database. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):1–12.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-017-1428-1
Wanyonyi N, Frantz J. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Africa: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2015;101:e1604–5.
doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1616
Collins RM, Van Janse DC, Patricios JS. Common work-related musculoskeletal strains and injuries: CPD article. South Afr Family Pract. 2011;53(3):240–6.
doi: 10.1080/20786204.2011.10874091
Mutanda T, Mwaka E, Sekimpi P, Ntuulo J. Occupation-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses at the National Referral Hospital, Mulago in Uganda. Occup Med Health Aff. 2017;5(3):1–5.
doi: 10.4172/2329-6879.1000267
GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the global burden of Disease Study 2017. 2018.
Tulika S, Aditi V. Musculoskeletal disorders among the workers engaged in organized poultry farm. Pantnagar J Res. 2013;11(3):440–5.
Buckle P, Devereux J. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work,Work-related neck and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders Luxemburgo.[Consultado el 10 de abril del 2013]. 1999. osha europa eu/en/publications/reports/201.
Punchihewa HK, Gyi DE. Reducing work-related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through design: views of ergonomics and design practitioners. Work. 2016;53(1):127–42.
doi: 10.3233/WOR-152126
CCOHS. Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs); Toronto, Canada: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. 2023 [cited 2023 29-04-2023]. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/rmirsi.pdf
EU-OSHA. Musculoskeletal disorders 12 Santiago de Compostela (Edificio Miribilla), 5th Floor E-48003 Bilbao, SPAIN: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. 2023. https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/musculoskeletal-disorders
Darragh AR, Huddleston W, King P. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders among occupational and physical therapists. Am J Occup Therapy. 2009;63(3):351–62.
doi: 10.5014/ajot.63.3.351
Egwuonwu V, Abidemi T, Aiyejunsunle C, Ezeukwu O, Auwal A, Okoye C. A cross-sectional survey of work related musculoskeletal disorders prevalence and associated risk factors among quarry workers in a south eastern Nigerian community. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;11(2):1–5.
Desmeules F, Braen C, Lamontagne M, Dionne CE, Roy J-S. Determinants and predictors of absenteeism and return-to-work in workers with shoulder disorders. Work. 2016;55(1):101–13.
pubmed: 27612060
doi: 10.3233/WOR-162379
Gautam M, Wankhade K, Sarangan G, Sudhakar S. Framework for addressing occupational safety of de-sludging operators: a study in two Indian cities. J Environ Manage. 2021;289:112243.
pubmed: 33827001
pmcid: 8121751
doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112243
Schoebitz L, Bischoff F, Lohri CR, Niwagaba CB, Siber R, Strande L. GIS analysis and optimisation of faecal sludge logistics at city-wide scale in Kampala, Uganda. Sustainability. 2017;9(2):194.
doi: 10.3390/su9020194
Farioli A, Mattioli S, Quaglieri A, Curti S, Violante FS, Coggon D. Musculoskeletal pain in Europe: role of personal, occupational and social risk factors. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2014;40(1):36.
pubmed: 24009006
doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3381
OZVURMAZ S. Prevelans of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal complaints and its relationship with risk factors for Bank employees Working with Computer. Ulutas Med J. 2017;3(2):39–47.
doi: 10.5455/umj.20160922084115
Vinothini P, Halim I, Umar R, Too Y. A future framework for musculoskeletal disorders symptoms among computer office workers. Int J PHYSIOTHERAPY. 2018;5(6):167–77.
doi: 10.15621/ijphy/2018/v5i6/178053
Abaraogu UO, Ezema CI, Igwe S, Egwuonwu AV, Okafor UC. Work-related back discomfort and associated factors among automotive maintenance mechanics in Eastern Nigeria: a cross sectional study. Work. 2016;53(4):813–23.
pubmed: 26890587
doi: 10.3233/WOR-162247
Da Costa BR, Vieira ER. Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of recent longitudinal studies. Am J Ind Med. 2010;53(3):285–323.
pubmed: 19753591
doi: 10.1002/ajim.20750
Organization WH. WHO/ILO joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury, 2000–2016: technical report with data sources and methods. WHO/ILO joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury, 2000–2016: technical report with data sources and methods2021.
Smith MJ, Karsh B-T, Moro FB, editors. A review of research on interventions to control musculoskeletal disorders. Work-related Musculoskeletal disorders: Report, Workshop Summary, and Workshop Papers, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences. National Academy Press Washington, DC; 1999.
CDC. Hierarchy of Controls: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html
Ezzatvar Y, Calatayud J, Andersen LL, Aiguadé R, Benítez J, Casaña J. Professional experience, work setting, work posture and workload influence the risk for musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020;93:189–96.
pubmed: 31455983
doi: 10.1007/s00420-019-01468-7
Garza JL, Ferguson JM, Dugan AG, Decker RE, Laguerre RA, Suleiman AO, et al. Investigating the relationship between working time characteristics on musculoskeletal symptoms: a cross sectional study. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2022;77(2):141–8.
pubmed: 33337287
doi: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1860878
Skamagki G, Carpenter C, King A, Wåhlin C. How do employees with Chronic Musculoskeletal disorders experience the management of their Condition in the Workplace? A metasynthesis. J Occup Rehabil. 2023:1–11.
Spigarelli C. Understanding the hierarchy of controls through a pandemic. Prof Saf. 2020;65(5):20–1.
ILO. International Labour Standards on Occupational Safety and Health. 2006. https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-labour-standards/occupational-safety-and-health/lang--en/index.htm
MGLSD, Occupational safety. and Health 2022. https://oshmis.mglsd.go.ug/
OAG, ENFORCEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACTIVITIES AT WORKPLACES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH UNDER THE MINISTRY, OF GENDER LABOUR AND OCIAL DEVELOPMENT: A REPORT BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL. 2016. https://ugandaradionetwork.com/s/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Enforcement-of-Occupational-Safety-Health-OSH-at-workplaces-by-DOSH-1.pdf
UBOS. National Population and Housing Census. 2014 Area Specific Profiles 2017. https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/2014CensusProfiles/KAMPALA-KCCA.pdf
UBOS. Rural Urban Population for the 146 Districts in Uganda 2022. https://www.ubos.org/explore-statistics/20/
Ssekamatte T, Nalugya A, Fuhrimann S, Mugambe RK, Kansiime WK, Tigaiza A et al. Using the sanitation safety planning tool to improve the occupational health and safety of de-sludging operators in Uganda: a protocol for a controlled before and after study. medRxiv. 2022.
Uddin J, Giasuddin A, Khalil M, Kamrujjaman M. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Male Workers in a selected area of Dhaka City. work. 2021;8(18):19.
Kish L. Survey sampling. 1965.
Alimohamadi Y, Sepandi M. Considering the design effect in cluster sampling. J Cardiovasc Thorac Res. 2019;11(1):78.
pubmed: 31024678
pmcid: 6477104
doi: 10.15171/jcvtr.2019.14
Macdonald W. Conceptual framework for development of a toolkit for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Work. 2012;41(Supplement 1):3933–6.
pubmed: 22317324
doi: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0689-3933
Gonzalez-Mulé E, Cockburn BS. This job is (literally) killing me: a moderated-mediated model linking work characteristics to mortality. J Appl Psychol. 2021;106(1):140.
pubmed: 32271030
doi: 10.1037/apl0000501
Boonruksa P, Maturachon T, Kongtip P, Woskie S, Heat, Stress. Physiological response, and heat-related symptoms among Thai sugarcane workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(17):6363.
pubmed: 32882881
pmcid: 7503547
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17176363
National Research Council. Musculoskeletal disorders and the workplace: low back and upper extremities. 2001.
CDC, Work-Related Musculoskeletal D. & Ergonomics Atlanta, USA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html
Crawford JO. The nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Occup Med. 2007;57(4):300–1.
doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqm036
Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7.
pubmed: 15676628
doi: 10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-X
Okello A, Wafula ST, Sekimpi DK, Mugambe RK. Prevalence and predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers of a gold mine in south Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21(1):1–10.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03828-8
Adler N, Stewart J. The MacArthur scale of subjective social status. San Francisco: MacArthur Research Network on SES & Health; 2007.
Adler N, Stewart J, Group PW. The MacArthur scale of subjective social status. MacArthur Research Network on SES & Health; 2007.
Chen B, Covinsky KE, Cenzer IS, Adler N, Williams BA. Subjective social status and functional decline in older adults. J Gen Intern Med. 2012;27(6):693–9.
pubmed: 22215272
pmcid: 3358399
doi: 10.1007/s11606-011-1963-7
Kunda R, Frantz J, Karachi F. Prevalence and ergonomic risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal injuries amongst underground mine workers in Zambia. J Occup Health. 2013;55(3):211–7.
pubmed: 23585497
doi: 10.1539/joh.11-0175-FS
Sharma NK, Tiwari M, Thakur A, Ganguli AK. An ergonomic study of the cleaning workers to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in India. Technology Enabled Ergonomic Design: Select Proceedings of HWWE 2020: Springer; 2022. pp. 33–46.
Oza HH, Lee MG, Boisson S, Pega F, Medlicott K, Clasen T. Occupational health outcomes among sanitation workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2022;240:113907.
pubmed: 34942466
pmcid: 8837624
doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113907
Tiwari RR. Occupational health hazards in sewage and sanitary workers. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2008;12(3):112.
pubmed: 20040968
pmcid: 2796749
doi: 10.4103/0019-5278.44691
Soares CO, Pereira BF, Gomes MVP, Marcondes LP, de Campos Gomes F, de Melo-Neto JS. Preventive factors against work-related musculoskeletal disorders: narrative review. Revista Brasileira De Med Do Trabalho. 2019;17(3):415.
doi: 10.5327/Z1679443520190360
Zamora-Chávez SC, Vásquez-Alva R, Luna-Muñoz C, Carvajal-Villamizar LL. Factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in cleaning workers of the emergency service of a tertiary hospital. 2020.
Tolera ST, Assefa N, Gobena T. Global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sanitary workers: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2023:1–14.
Reddy EM, Yasobant S. Musculoskeletal disorders among municipal solid waste workers in India: a cross-sectional risk assessment. J Family Med Prim care. 2015;4(4):519.
pubmed: 26985409
pmcid: 4776602
doi: 10.4103/2249-4863.174270
Ziaei M, Choobineh A, Abdoli-Eramaki M, Ghaem H. Individual, physical, and organizational risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among municipality solid waste collectors in Shiraz. Iran Industrial Health. 2018.
Cardoso RK, Rombaldi AJ, Silva MC. Osteomuscular disorders and associated factors among solid waste collectors of two middle-sized cities from the South of Brazil. Revista Dor. 2014;15:13–6.
doi: 10.5935/1806-0013.20140004
Inyang M, editor. Health and safety risks amongst the municipal solid waste collectors in Port Harcourt Metropolis of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. International Conference Waste Management, Environmental Geotechnology and Global Sustainable Development; 2007.
Sharma NK, Tiwari M, Thakur A, Ganguli AK. An ergonomic study of the Cleaning Workers to identify the prevalence of Musculoskeletal disorders in India. Technology Enabled Ergonomic Design: Springer; 2022. pp. 33–46.
Abou-ElWafa HS, El-Bestar SF, El-Gilany A-H, Awad EE-S. Musculoskeletal disorders among municipal solid waste collectors in Mansoura, Egypt: a cross-sectional study. BMJ open. 2012;2(5):e001338.
pubmed: 22977187
pmcid: 3467652
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001338
Tolera ST, Diriba W, Gutema GD, Kaweti G. Determinants of Occupational Health and Safety Outcomes among Sanitation Workers Across Worldwide: a systematic review on cross-sectional studies. INQUIRY: J Health Care Organ Provis Financing. 2023;60:00469580231210525.
doi: 10.1177/00469580231210525
Bispo LGM, Moreno CF, de Oliveira Silva GH, de Albuquerque NLB, da Silva JMN. Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a study in the inner regions of Alagoas and Bahia. Saf Sci. 2022;153:105804.
doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2022.105804
Tembo LN, Munyikwa JP, Musoro C, Majonga G, Mavindidze E. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences non-academic workers: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2023;24(1):792.
pubmed: 37803278
pmcid: 10557303
doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06900-1
Skovlund SV, Bláfoss R, Sundstrup E, Andersen LL. Association between physical work demands and work ability in workers with musculoskeletal pain: cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21:1–8.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-020-03191-8
Myhre K, Røe C, Marchand GH, Keller A, Bautz-Holter E, Leivseth G, et al. Fear–avoidance beliefs associated with perceived psychological and social factors at work among patients with neck and back pain: a cross-sectional multicentre study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2013;14:1–11.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-329
Blume JD, Royall RM. Illustrating the law of large numbers (and confidence intervals). Am Stat. 2003;57(1):51–7.
doi: 10.1198/0003130031081
Altman DG. Why we need confidence intervals. World J Surg. 2005;29(5):554–6.
pubmed: 15827844
doi: 10.1007/s00268-005-7911-0
Grieve A, Beal SL. Confidence intervals and sample sizes. Biometrics. 1991:1597 – 603.