Relationships between psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal miners

Abstract

To estimate the associations of psychosocial factors with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), providing scientific evidence for targeted strategies for the prevention of WMSDs in Chinese coal miners. A total of 500 coal miners were consecutively enrolled to this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of WMSDs was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between psychosocial factors and WMSDs. Among coal miners, of 277 coal miners, 61% self-reported WMSDs in a 12-month period. Especially, back pain was the most frequent musculoskeletal symptom. WMSDs were statistically correlated with high job demands (OR = 1.3, 95%CI: 1.3 ∼ 3.5), low job control (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4), low level of interpersonal relations (OR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.2 ∼ 3.0) and low job satisfaction (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4). The results of this study demonstrate psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs among coal miners, and psychosocial factors be considered for the prevention of WMSDs.