The association between works related musculoskeletal body discomfort and ergonomic risk level among female sewing machine operators in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Background: Work related musculoskeletal discomfort can occur in any region of the body. It affects sewing machineoperator’s activities of daily living and quality of life directly or indirectly. Poor ergonomics is a major contributor towork related musculoskeletal discomfort that develops over time. It is important to find out the association between workrelated musculoskeletal body discomfort and ergonomic risk level among female sewing machine operators of selectedgarment factories in western province, Sri Lanka.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was preceded, with a study population of one hundred and thirty-seven(137) female sewing machine operators within the age of 18-50 years at selected garment factories in the western provinceof Sri Lanka.Conclusion: Of the total sample, 72.99% operators presented with musculoskeletal discomfort. Qualitative and quantitativedata were obtained using a pre-validated questionnaire; Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire and RapidEntire Body Assessment (REBA). The mean age of study population was 33.55±1.64years. The highest prevalence ofdiscomfort was reported in neck (53.94%) and lower back (69.2%) regions. The mean ergonomic risk level was 8.42±0.16which is 50.36% in study population. The majority of the sewing machine operators were in high ergonomic risk levelin western province of Sri Lanka and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was more in the lower back and neckregions where the ergonomic interventions should have implemented.