Abstract
Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is a leading causes of occupational injury and disability among drivers and workers in the transport industry. This study evaluated the ergonomically assessed WMSD and its determinants among Nigerian commercial mini bus drivers (BD) and mini bus conductors (BC). A total of 379 participants (BD = 200, BC = 179) were purposively sampled for this exploratory cross-sectional study. Participants' WMSD and work related variables were respectively assessed using the standardized Nordic questionnaire and a content-validated, Driving Work Station Assessment (DWSA) form. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially using chi-square and logistic regression. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. The participants were aged between 20 and 66 years, with a mean age of 33.26±10.76years (BD = 38.42±10.22years, BC = 27.50±8.13years); most of whom consumed alcohol (84.4%) and experienced severe job stress (73.4%). There was a high prevalence (95.8%; BD = 94.5%, BC = 97.8%) of WMSDs, the lower back (66.8%) and upper back (54.1%) had the highest regional prevalence of WMSD. The BC (BC vs BD) had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of Neck (47.7% vs 21.5%) and upper back (80.4% vs 30.5%) WMSDs. Conversely, the BD (BD vs BC) had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of low-back (85.0% vs 46.4%), knee (25.0% vs 9.5%), elbow (11.5% vs 3.9%), and wrist (10.5% vs 3.4%) WMSD. There was a significant association between WMSD and each of work duration (X2 = 11.634, p = 0.009), work frequency (X2 = 8.394, p = 0.039), job dissatisfaction (X2 = 10.620, p = 0.001) and job stress (X2 = 16.879, p = 0.001). Working beyond 4days/week (OR = 10.019, p = 0.001), job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.990, p = 0.031), constrained working postures (OR = 5.324, p = 0.003) and fatigue (OR = 4.719, p = 0.002) were the predictors of WMSD. Job stress, work duration and work frequency, posture and fatigue are important determinants of WMSDs among mini bus drivers and their assistants in Nigeria. Ergonomics training intervention for this population is recommended.
Highlights
Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is a leading causes of occupational injury and disability among drivers and workers in the transport industry
It is known that WMSDs can affect several parts of the body including upper and lower back, spine, neck, shoulders and extremities [2, 3]
It has been opined that WMSD is related to the kind of occupation one is involved in, such as driving, manual handling, as well as awkward body postures and gestures [4, 5]
Summary
The minimum sample size was calculated using the expression of medium effect formula. A minimum sample size of 356 participants consisting of 173 each of commercial bus drivers and conductors was projected to participate in this study. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire [13] This was used to assess Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). This questionnaire consists of structured, forced, binary scale that is self- administered. It has two sections: the first section contains identifying and anthropometric variables while the second section contains the musculoskeletal discomfort form, focused of specific body parts. The test–retest reliability of this instrument is ranges between 77–100% and the validity ranges between 80–100%.(13) It has a high specificity (0.71–0.88) and a high sensitivity (0.66–0.92) [14] This instrument has been used among healthy adult participants in this environment [5, 15]
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