title: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sugarcane farmers in north-eastern Thailand.
abstract: This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to identify prevalence and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among sugarcane farmers. Cluster random sampling was used to select 540 sugarcane farmers from 3 provinces in North-Eastern Thailand. Three related questionnaires, plus assessments by 2 expert physiotherapists, were used to check for factors associated with WMSDs and prevalence of WMSDs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regressions. The results indicated the prevalence of WMSDs among sugarcane farmers in the 7 days before the interview and looking back over the previous 12 months were 82.96% and 88.70%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with reporting WMSDs (P value < .05) during past 12 months were (a) repetitive motions (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-3.43), (b) working in awkward postures (adjusted OR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.01-3.77), (c) forceful exertions (adjusted OR = 2.78; 95% CI = 1.54-5.02), and (d) stress about future income (adjusted OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.02-3.16). Recommendations are made for risk prevention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Teerasak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phajan
authors.affiliation: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand kessa_ni@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Kessarawan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nilvarangkul
authors.affiliation: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Dariwan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Settheetham
authors.affiliation: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wongsa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Laohasiriwong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000383:Agriculture; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D031786:Saccharum; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Thailand; financial stress; forceful exertions; musculoskeletal disorders; repetitive work; sugarcane farmers; working postures