Saf Health Work.  2018 Jun;9(2):192-202. 10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.009.

A Cross-sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Risk Factors in Cambodian Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Region, Thailand

• Thetkathuek A
• Meepradit
• Sa-ngiamsak T

• KMID: 2415422
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.009

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are accumulative disorders that are most frequently found in agricultural farmers. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect symptoms resulting from work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Cambodian farm workers working in fruit plantations in the eastern region of Thailand.
METHODS
The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, and Hazard Zone Jobs Checklist techniques were used to interview 861 farmers who participated in the study.
RESULTS
The data showed that men who had been working for >10 years were more at risk of neck pain than those working for < 1 year with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.90, 14.5). Among women those who had been working for >10 years experienced lower back pain with aOR 8.13, 95% CI (1.04, 63.74), compared with those who had been working for <1 year. Men whose tasks required raising the arms above shoulder height had a risk factor contributing to neck pain of aOR 1.68, 95% CI (1.08, 2.61) when compared with those who did not work with this posture, and women had aOR 1.82, 95% CI (1.07, 3.12) when compared with those who did not work with this posture.
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that work-related health conditions are monitored in migrant plantation workers to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.

Keyword

agriculture; Cambodian workers; eastern Thailand; migrant; musculoskeletal disorder

MeSH Terms

Agriculture*
Arm
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Checklist
Cross-Sectional Studies*
Farmers*
Female
Fruit*
Humans
Low Back Pain
Male
Neck Pain
Odds Ratio
Posture
Risk Factors*
Shoulder
Thailand*
Transients and Migrants
Upper Extremity