Prevalence of Occupational Related Upper and Low Back Musculoskeletal Disorders in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Occupational related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major public health problem and result in the growing demands of healthcare service utilization, causing temporary and permanent disability and reduced quality of life. In developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia, there is no adequate evidence on the overall prevalence of occupational-related MSDs and remains less prioritized and empirically unrepresented. Thus, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of occupational-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly low and upper back musculoskeletal disorders in Ethiopia.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis considered studies conducted in Ethiopia, written in the English language, and published from 2017-2020. The articles were searched using the following electronic databases such as Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online database, and Science direct using a combination of Boolean logic operators, Medical Subject Headings, and main keywords. Quality assessment of the articles was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools to determine the relevance of articles to the study.Results: The current study found the pooled prevalence of occupational-related upper back pain and low back pain in the previous one year was 27.1% [95% of CI: 18.4, 37.9%] and 54.2% [95% of CI: 48.2, 60.0%] respectively. However, the pooled prevalence of occupational-related upper back pain in the previous one year after subgroup analysis based on publication year, study population, and study area was 43.8% [95% of CI: 39.3, 47.7%], 34.7%[95% of CI: 33.1, 36.2%] and 36.2% [95% of CI: 33.6, 39.0%] respectively while the pooled prevalence of occupational-related low back pain in previous one year based on subgroup analysis by publication year, study population, and study area was 61.8% [95% of CI: 58.9, 64.6%], 52.8% [95% of CI: 51.3, 54.3%] and 55.2% [95% of CI: 51.4, 59.0%] respectively.Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that, more than half of the included study participants were experienced low back pain in the previous year, whereas more than one-fourth of the included participants were experienced upper back pain. Thus, applying occupational health and safety practices in the working environment plays an important role in reducing work-related MSDs and other occupational hazards.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorders among University Teaching Staff in Ethiopia, 2021: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…In poor nations like Ethiopia, where there is a lack of understanding of ergonomics issues, limited training programs, and certification, the impact of WRUEDs is either incalculable or under-reported. As a result, the financial expenditures and healthcare demands associated with upper extremity disorder have skyrocketed, making it a major societal burden [ 11 , 12 ]. In addition, in the poorest countries, health and safety standards are habitually disregarded, and infrastructure and preventive measures are neglected [ 13 ]; as a result, the health effects of WRUEDs have been escalating in these countries.…”

Evaluation musculoskeletal disorders and analgesic use of workers working in a heavy vehicle maintenance and repair factory

“…27 Diğer ülkelerde (Norveç, Bangledeş, Malezya, Etopya) araç onarım işinde çalışan işçilerde yapılan çalışmalarda son 12 ayda kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarının görülme oranı %47,7 ile %87 arasında değişiklik gösterirken, en çok ağrı ve rahatsızlık bildirilen bölge çalışma bulgumuza uyumlu olarak bel bölgesi olmuştur. 7,9,12,17,28 Bulguların benzerliğine ilişkin olası açıklama, çoğu zaman işçilerin bir aracın altında, içinde ve yanında çalışırken bükülmüş, katlanmış ve/veya diğer nötr olmayan gövde duruşlarında uzun süreli çalışmalarından kaynaklanıyor olabilir. 8 Çalışmanın önemli bulgularından biride bel, boyun, sırt bölgesinde rahatsızlık yaşayan işçilerin büyük çoğunluğunun bu duruma bağlı olarak ev ya da ev dışı işlerinin olumsuz etkilendiği belirlenmiştir.…”

“…6 Küresel olarak, meslekle ilişkili kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları işçi şikayetlerinin en önde gelen nedenleri arasındadır. 7 Çeşitli endüstri alanlarında çalışan işçilerde kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları prevalansı %41,5-97,3 arasında değişiklik göstermektedir. [8][9][10] Mesleki kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıkları yaygınlık oranları arasında araç onarım işi en yüksek riskli meslekler arasındadır.…”