Assessing musculoskeletal disorders among municipal waste loaders of Mumbai, India
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2017, Vol 30, Issue 6
Abstract
Objectives: The study aims to assess the impact of municipal waste loading occupation upon developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and thereby disabilities among waste loaders. Additionally, the study has identified the potential risk factors raising MSDs and disabilities. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional case-control design survey was conducted in 6 out of 24 municipal wards of Mumbai during March–September 2015. The study population consisted of municipal waste loaders (N = 180) and a control group (N = 180). The Standardized Modified Nordic questionnaire was adopted to measures the MSDs and thereby disabilities in the past 12 months. A Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method was applied to assess the impact of waste loading occupation on developing MSDs and disabilities. Results: Waste loaders had a significantly higher risk of developing MSDs as well as disabilities than the control group particularly for low back, hip/ thigh upper back and shoulder. Propensity Score Matching results revealed that the MSDs were significantly higher among waste loaders for hip/thigh (22%), low back (19%), shoulder (18%), and upper back (15%) than matched control group. Likewise, MSDs-related disabilities were found to be significantly higher among waste loaders for low back (20%), hip/ thigh (18%) upper back (13%) and shoulder (8%) than the control group. Duration of work, substance use and mental health were found to be the potential psychosocial factors for developing the risk of MSDs and disabilities. Conclusions: The municipal waste loading occupation raised the risk of MSDs and related disabilities among waste loaders compared to the control group. The preventive and curative measures are strongly recommended to minimize the burden of MSDs and disabilities. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):875–886
Authors and Affiliations
Pradeep Salve, Praveen Chokhandre, Dhananjay Bansod
Authors’ response (December 7, 2017) to the letter to the Editor concerning the paper “Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011”
Refers to: Kawada T. Letter to the Editor (June 10, 2017) concerning the paper “Trends in smoking among secondary school and high school students in Poland, 2009 and 2011”. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2018;31(4):537–...
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