Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among Iranian hand-woven shoe workers

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Veisi, Hemmat^a | Choobineh, Alireza^{b; *} | Ghaem, Haleh^c | Faraji Kujerdi, Mehdi^a | Barazandeh, Ramin^d | Barazandeh, Himan^e

Affiliations: [a] Student Research Committee, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | [b] Research Center for Health Sciences, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | [c] Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran | [d] Student Research Committee, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran | [e] Student Research Committee, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Alireza Choobineh, PhD, Professor, Ergonomics Dept., School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 71645-111 Shiraz, Iran. Tel.: +98 917 118 4450; Fax: +98 71 3726 0225; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Studies have demonstrated that upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) are highly prevalent among weavers. In Iran, little information is available regarding the prevalence of MSDs and their causal risk factors among hand-woven shoe workers. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of UEMSDs and to identify risk factors associated with UEMSDs symptoms among 586 Iranian hand-woven shoe workers. METHODS:The data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and by direct observation of working postures via the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) technique to determine ergonomic risks. RESULTS:The prevalence of MSDs symptoms was high among the hand-woven shoe workers. The mean RULA grand score of 6.3 indicated that in most cases the workers’ postures at their workstations needs to be investigated and changed immediately to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. The highest prevalence rates of MSDs were observed in the shoulders, wrists and arms. The result of multiple logistic regression modeling showed that risk factors associated with UEMSD symptoms were job experience, daily working hours, job satisfaction, working posture, work pressure, and discomfort at workstation, as well as individual factors, such as age, gender, BMI, material status, working conditions, education level, and lack of regular sport/physical activities. CONCLUSIONS:The findings of the present study emphasize that any interventional program in this industry has to focus on improving working conditions particularly by designing ergonomics-oriented workstations and hand tools.

Keywords: Shoemaking, musculoskeletal disorders, RULA, posture, Iran

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203258

Journal: Work, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 129-139, 2020