Application of the best-worst method approach for prioritizing risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among mobile device users: A case study

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health issues among mobile device (MD) users due to long hour of working during homestay. Various researches have been carried out earlier for identifying the MSD risk factors, though the risk factors' priority and weightage play an important role for risk management. In the current study, the priority and weightage for MSD risk factor (individual factor, personal factor, psychosocial factor, and subfactors in each factor) were identified using the best-worst method (BWM) for MD users through a case study. A framework was proposed for evaluating the risk hierarchy. The rating data provided by decision-makers was analysed using BWM for optimistic risk factor outcomes. A sensitivity analysis was also performed on the prioritized risk factors/subfactors for the consistency check. Research results revealed that personal factor was the most prominent risk factor of MSDs, followed by psychosocial factor and individual factor. Further, the total time spent and gender were identified as most and least dominating risk subfactor of MSDs respectively. The evaluated priority and weightage of MSD risk factors were further validated using sensitivity analysis. The obtained outcomes may be helpful in reducing the MSDs risk factors among the MD users by ergonomic improvement.