Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Apple Farmers in Türkiye: Prevalence and Risk Factors’

Year 2023, Volume: 4 Issue: 3, 162 - 167, 29.12.2023

Güllü Aydın Yağcıoğlu , Handan Çulal Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.53811/ijtcmr.1345016

Abstract

Objective: The strenuous nature of apple growing can be the cause of a number of physical problems. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and ergonomic risks among apple farmers in Turkey.
Material-Method: Data on WRMSDs were obtained from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Extended Version (NMQ-E), while risk factors were collected using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Prevalences were established by frequency analysis.The relationships between WRMSD of 9 body regions and age, weight, working hours (per day/per week), working experience and RULA score were analysed.
Results: A total of 51 volunteers participated in the study including 42 males and 9 females. The kness (53.8%) were most commonly reported WRMSDs, followed by the neck (46.2%), lower back (44.2%), and shoulders (38.5%) over a lifetime. The participants were working in a medium (40.4%) and high (42.3%) risk posture according to the RULA assessment. Age, weight, working hours (per day/per week), working experience and RULA were associated with WRMSDs in one or more body regions (p<0.05).
Conclusion: WRMSDs were common among the apple farmers in Turkey, and the farmers were working in a high-risk position. The current findings highlight the need to address the high prevalence of WRMSD among apple farners through appropriate screening and intervention.

Keywords

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Extended Version (NMQ-E), ergonomic risk factors, apple farmers

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