title: Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among garment workers in Kandal province, Cambodia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objectives of this cross-sectional descriptive study were to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and workstation biomechanical risk levels for garment workers in Kandal Province, Cambodia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional descriptive study used multistage sampling techniques to select 714 workers from three garment factories among 22 medium-size factories (250-1,000 workers). Face-to-face interviews and direct observation using the rapid upper limb assessment scale (RULA) were used to collect data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 98.3% (702/714), and the majority (89.3%) of the respondents were female. Ninety-two percent (95% CI=90.0-94.0) of the workers reported musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body region in the previous 12 months and 89.0% (95% CI=86.7-91.3) of the workers reported such symptoms in the past seven-day period. The neck, shoulder, and lower back were the most affected body regions. In addition, the RULA data showed that 81.2% of the workers' postures were rated as action level 3, indicating that investigation and change were required soon, and that 7.5% their postures were rated as action level 4, indicating that investigation and change were required immediately.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cambodian garment workers reported a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in upper body regions, and their workplaces were rated as high risk ergonomically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University.
authors.forename: Leap
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van
authors.forename: Naesinee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaiear
authors.forename: Chat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sumananont
authors.forename: Chheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kannarath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003020:Clothing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013783:Textile Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult