The Prevalence and Causes of Musculoskeletal Pain among Farmers in the Volta Region of Ghana: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain (MSK) disorder is considered one of the prime causes of severe long-term pain and physical disabilities acquired globally. Ghanaians especially, farmers have to go through vigorous physical farm activities to achieve desired output of farm activities. In the Volta Region, MSK pain has ranked among the top three reported cases at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Whilst, the quantum of reported cases is known, and treated at the hospital, the actual causes are not. Coupled with the fact that prevalence and probably the causes would differ from profession to profession the proposed research is aimed at addressing this among farmers. The overall goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and causes of MSK pain among farmers in the Volta Region of Ghana. 212 farmers were randomly selected for the study. Cross-sectional surveys were carried out to obtain the demographic and socio-economic status of the patients consenting to participate in the studies. Both, qualitative and quantitative statistical methods were employed to determine any association between the farming methods, tools used and the type of MSK pains. The most prevalent locations of MSK pain among farmers were the lower back, upper back, right and left knees. The possible causes of MSK pain reported by farmers in the Volta Region were by walking or by other transportation (riding bicycles and motorbikes) or using implements such as cutlass, hoe and spraying machine. Keywords: Ghana, Farmers, Farming practices, Lower Back Pain, Disability-Adjusted Life Years, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder, Musculoskeletal pains.