Investigation And Analysis Of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders And Influencing Factors Among Automobile Manufacturing Workers

Objective With the rapid development of automobile manufacturing industry,a large number of jobs have been created in China,and the occupational health problems of employees have become increasingly prominent.Work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs)are one of the most serious occupational diseases that cause illness and absence from work in the automobile manufacturing industry.In this study,a cross-sectional study of WMSDs among automobile factory workers in Wuhan was conducted to describe the types and epidemiological characteristics of WMSDs and the absence from work caused by WMSDs.The study analyzed the workplace factors,individual factors of WMSDs among automobile manufacturing workers,which could provide the references for occupational health management and scientific basis for prevention of WMSDs.Methods This study was a cross sectional study.A cluster random sampling method was used to select the first-line workers with a working age of more than one year in an automobile manufacturing in Wuhan.This study was a network questionnaire survey,and the respondents filled out the web-based questionnaire by mobile phones.The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disease Questionnaire was used to collect the degdemographic factors,workplace factors,the prevalence rate of WMSDs and sickness absenteeism of workers.Chi-square test and multifactor logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors related to WMSDs of workers.Results(1)Basic information: A total of 839 workers were surveyed in this study.The average age of workers was 25.2±5.4 years old,ranging from 18 to 46 years old.(2)Prevalence rate of WMSDs: The prevalence rate of WMSDs was 43.3%.In nine body parts,the prevalence rate of neck was highest,at 24.7%,followed by the shoulder(17.6%),back(15.0%),wrist(14.4%),ankle/foot(12.0%),knee(10.4%),elbow(4.6%),and hip/hips(4.2%).30.4% of the respondents suffered from simultaneous diseases at 1~3 sites,9.1% from 4~6 sites and 3.8% from 7~9 sites.The proportion of absentees was highest in the waist(2.5%),followed by the neck(1.5%).(3)Influencing factors: The multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that: 1)The risk factors of WMSDs in the neck were age(>30 years old,OR=3.580,95%CI=2.278~5.625),lifting weights in an uncomfortable position(OR=2.220,95%CI=1.367~3.606),tilting the neck for a long time(OR=3.246,95%CI=2.262~4.658),and the department staff shortages(OR=1.611,95%CI=1.1130~2.297).The protective factors of WMSDs in the neck were taking turns with colleagues in work(OR=0.573,95%CI=0.399~0.821)and work break(OR=0.573,95%CI=0.399~0.821).2)The risk factors of WMSDs in the low back were overweight(OR=1.525,95%CI=1.056~1.452),smoking(OR=1.515,95%CI=1.075~2.133)、taking objects with hand or arm(OR=1.679,95%CI=1.144~2.465),department staff shortages(OR=1.774,95%CI=1.243~2.532),and insufficient operating space(OR=1.784,95%CI=1.180 ~ 2.698),and taking turns with colleagues in work(OR=0.701,95%CI=0.495~0.992)was the protective factor.3)The risk factors of WMSDs in the shoulder were age(>30 years old,OR=2.567,95%CI=1.606~4.103),lifting weights in an uncomfortable position(OR=2.415,95%CI=1.480~3.939),tilting the neck for a long time(OR=2.201,95%CI=1.494 ~ 3.242),and work break(OR=0.468,95%CI=0.315~0.695)was the protective factor.Conclusion The prevalence rate of WMSDs among automobile manufacturing workers was high.The top four prevalence rates in the body were neck,low back,shoulder and back,and the prevalence rate of WMSDs was highest in the neck.Age,overweight,smoking,bad posture of neck foreward,unreasonable lifting posture,shortage of staff,and insufficient operating space were the risk factors for WMSDs of automobile manufacturing workers.Reasonable occupational organizations such as cooperation with colleagues at work and adequate rest time could reduce the risk of WMSDs among automobile manufacturing workers.