An investigation of the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain and related disability among poultry slaughterhouse workers: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Purpose:The poultry slaughterhouse workers (PSW) are at substantial risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) at workplace due to their work. This study investigated the prevalence rate of WMSP and related disability among the PSW.Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 78 PSW (40 women and 38 men) in the region of northern Thailand. The prevalence rate of WMSP was evaluated using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ). The disability related to the MSP was evaluated using a series of disability questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the WMSP. Data on the disability were summarized in frequency, mean (M), standard deviation (SD) and percentage. ResultsThe prevalence rate of WMSP in the past 7 days were higher in the shoulder region (61.5%, N=48) followed by wrists/hands (60.3%, N=47), and lower back region (35.9%, N=28). The WMSP over the past 12 months was also high at the shoulder (61.5%, N=48), wrists/hands (60.3%, N=47), and neck region (37.1%, N=29) respectively. The overall disability related to WMSP among PSW was found to be mild to moderate across different body regions.Conclusion PSW had a high prevalence rate of WMSP in the shoulders, wrists/hands, lower back, and neck regions. However, the PSW with WMSP reported only mild to moderate disability in the work.

The effects of workplace intervention programs to manage work-related musculoskeletal pain among poultry slaughterhouse workers: A randomized controlled trial

“…8 The current study was a continuation of the previous part of the project, which investigated the WMSP among PSW. 4 Our training programs were created under the feasibility of the workplace environment, organizations, and support from the workplaces. Moreover, the need of workers were also included.…”

“…3 In a recent crosssectional study among Thai PSW, approximately 97% of PSW had WMSP in at least one body region. 4 The highest prevalence rate was found at the shoulders and wrists/ hands regions around 61.5% and 60.3%, respectively. In comparison, 83% of PSW reported work disability due to upper limb pain, emphasizing the functional consequences of arm, shoulder, and hand on daily work.…”

“…In comparison, 83% of PSW reported work disability due to upper limb pain, emphasizing the functional consequences of arm, shoulder, and hand on daily work. 4 Some previous studies also reported that PSW had pain and discomfort in at least one of the body regions, which includes the shoulder, neck, upper or lower back, forearm, arm, wrist, and hand. 3,[5][6][7] Current evidence to reduce or prevent WMSP at the workplace includes physical exercise, ergonomics, participatory ergonomics, and multifaceted interventions.…”

Validity and reliability of the Balance Error Score System (BESS) Thai version in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain

“…In China [5], there is a high (86.3%) one-point prevalence of non-specific neck pain (NSNP), where NSNP is defined as a type of NP without a detectable etiology and with no features of red flag conditions such as: malignancy, infection, inflammation, myelopathy, other histories of orthopedics conditions and drop attack during head movement, or symptoms following whiplash [6,7]. In Thailand, NP has similarly been reported to have a high prevalence up to 81.9% and was one of the top three ranked musculoskeletal (MS) conditions in many occupations [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Further, NP is also associated with a significant financial burden for treatment within national healthcare systems in the United States and globally [14,15].…”