Incidence and Predictors of Hand-Arm Musculoskeletal Complaints among Vibration-exposed African Cassava and Corn Millers.
BACKGROUND
Cassava and corn milling is a growing small-scale enterprise in Africa. We aimed to determine the incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints among vibration-exposed Congolese cassava and corn millers in the previous 12 months.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted, prior to a follow-up study, from March to May 2013 among cassava/corn millers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in which 365 millers age-matched to 365 civil workers anonymously answered a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Overall incidence of hand-arm musculoskeletal complaints was 25.8% in millers (vs. 5.2% in civil workers; p < 0.001). The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms was seven times higher in millers [vs. civil workers; odds ratio (OR) = 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.03-12.50; p < 0.0001]; 2.4 times higher in smoking millers (vs. smoking civil office workers; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42-3.88; p < 0.001); 3.6 times higher in millers with longer daily exposure (> 8 hours; vs. those working ≤ 8 hours; OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.93-3.61; p = 0.026); and 7.4 times higher in young millers (vs. older millers, OR = 7.39; 95% CI: 1.29-75.52; p < 0.001). Smoking, number of cigarettes, and daily exposure duration were positively correlated with musculoskeletal complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed a relatively high incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among African cassava and corn millers. The use of anti-vibration protective equipment and the regulation of this hazardous occupation may reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in millers.
Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lukuke Hendrick
LH
Mbutshu
Ecole de Santé Publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kaj Francoise
KF
Malonga
Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi University Medical School, Nankoku, Japan ; Disaster Nursing Global Leadership Program, University of Kochi, Kochi, Japan.
Nlandu Roger
NR
Ngatu
Disaster Nursing Global Leadership Program, University of Kochi, Kochi, Japan.
Sakiko
S
Kanbara
Department of Health Science, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa.
Benjamin
B
Longo-Mbenza
Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi University Medical School, Nankoku, Japan.
Narufumi
N
Suganuma
hand-arm vibration exposure; incidence; miller; musculoskeletal complaint