title: Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Myanmar migrant workers in Thai seafood industries.
abstract: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with self-administered questionnaires among 368 Myanmar migrant workers to investigate the prevalence of and to determine the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the Thai seafood industry. The results showed the prevalence of MSDs was 45.1% occurring in the last 7 days. Marital status, number of dependents, other health problems, working hours, repetitive hand movements, awkward posture of wrists, prolonged standing, and manual handling of heavy loads were found to be associated with MSDs. Multiple logistic regression indicated that the workers who were married, had more than two dependents, and had more exposure to awkward wrist postures were at significantly increased risk of MSDs. The study findings suggest the need for adequate knowledge of ergonomics and for awareness campaign programs focusing on prevention of MSDs, especially low back pain, to be initiated in industries for earlier detection of symptoms among seafood processing workers.
authors.affiliation: a Myanmar Ministry of Health , Myanmar.|b Mahidol University , Thailand.
authors.forename: Kyaw Thu
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Soe
authors.affiliation: b Mahidol University , Thailand.
authors.forename: Orapin
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Laosee
authors.affiliation: c Samutsongkram Provincial Health Office , Thailand.
authors.forename: Suwassa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Limsatchapanich
authors.affiliation: b Mahidol University , Thailand.
authors.forename: Cheerawit
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rattanapan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants
keywords: Myanmar workers; Thai seafood industries; work-related musculoskeletal disorders