ERGONOMIC INVESTIGATION AND ASSESSMENT OF MOTORCYCLISTS MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Motorcycles have become a mean of transportation in our rural and urban area in Nigeria. This cross sectional study was conducted in Abeokuta Ogun State to assess the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among the motorcyclist between October 2021 and January 2022 using snowball techniques. A structured modified Nordic Musculoskeletal disorder questionnaire (SNMQ) was administered to four hundred and fifty (450) motorcyclists. The result shows that 91.6% (412) of the motorcyclist participated. Furthermore, 76.1% of the cyclist experienced daily pains and 81.6% reported major pains in body parts. However, the results also show that major affected body regions were lower back (81.6%), leg (61.2%), upper back (82.0%), shoulder (55.1%), neck (82.5%), knee (73.3%), wrist/hand (98.8%), thigh (91.3%), ankle/feet (78.9%), ears (80.3%), eyes (59.0%), head (63.1%) respectively. The study concluded that high prevalence of WRMSDs existed among the commercial motorcyclists as a result of working hours, sitting posture, smoking and alcoholic drinking. Reduction of these symptoms could be achieved through the reduction of working hours.