Factor analysis of complaints of occupational cervicobrachial disorder in assembly lines of a cigarette factory.

Abstract

Approximately 270 workwomen, engaged in assembly lines for cigarette rolling and packing, were evaluated for their work motions and postures which included repetitive use of the upper limbs and constrained postures of the trunk. Many of them suffer from Occupational Cervicobrachial Disorder, complaining of stiffness or languidness and pain in the neck, shoulders and arms. Of this group, 117 received a health examination and completed a 58 item questionnaire, rating complaints such as stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders and arms, eyestrain, headache, and hand coldness. The questionnaire data were examined using factor analysis. The results lead us to the following conclusions about the four extracted factors of the complaints:1) “Relatively heavy loads upon the left side of the upper limbs and trunk” (Factor 1).2) “Disturbances of the peripheral circulatory, sensory and motor nervous functions” (Factor 2).3) “Mental stress and loads upon sense organs” (Factor 3).4) “Loads from constrained postures of the trunk and lower limbs” (Factor 4). Taking into account observations of postures and motioms of the upper limbs of the workwomen in the assembly lines, Factors 1, 3 and 4 appear to be the primary effects of the workloads; Factor 2 is considered to be a secondary effect based on the patho-physiological processes of Occupational Cervicobrachial Disorder.