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Background- Cobblestone production is highly labor intensive and physically demanding work
that exposes workers for musculoskeletal disorders. Evidences on measuring exposure level are
limited in this area. As a result studying the magnitude and factors incorporating the ergonomic
hazard exposure level measurement is crucial.
Objective- The main objective of the study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of
work related musculoskeletal disorders among cobble stone workers.
Methods- Cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016-June 2017 among cobble
stone workers in Addis Ababa with a sample size of 537 using Nordic muscoloskletal disorder
assessmet questionnaire and 56 paicipants using quick exposure cheek ergonomic hazard
assessment tool. The data were collected by interviewing participants by trained six data
collectors and three supervisors. The data were entered and cleaned using epi info version 7 and
imported to statistical package for social science software version 20 for analysis. The data were
analyzed using descriptive statistical method for magnitude and using bivariate and multivariable
logistic regression models to identify factors associatiated with work related musculoskeletal
disorder.
Results- A total of 512 respondents included in this study, with 95% response rate.Over all 12
month prevalence 417(81.4%) of work related musculoskkletal disorder were obtained. From
different body parts lower back is 65.5%, wrist 51.6%, shoulder 47.9% and neck 24.2% were
found. Job stress (OR=1.75), working days (OR=3.38), awkward working posture (OR=3.29),
lack of break time (OR=2.2) and ergonomic training (OR=2.9) found to be have statistically
significant association with work related musculoskeltal disorder.The result obtained from quick
exposure cheek reveals that exposure level of very high for back,high and very high for shoulder
and wrist and moderate for neck.
Conclusion and recommendation- Work related musculoskletal disorder among cobblestone
workers are characterized with very high prevalence with high and very high ergonomic hazard
exposure level for majority of body parts. Work load, twisting bending position, lack of break
and lack of ergonomic training are factors for the development of work related musculoskletal
disorders therefore ergonomic training mainly focusing on manual handling should be provided. |
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