Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of health related symptoms and to analyze the work activities of workers in contracted non-mechanized broiler farms in two regions of the state of Paraná in order to determine possible factors associated to those symptoms. The methods consisted in selecting the houses and the workers, and to apply a questionnaire that included demographic data, questions related to work, the Nordic Questionnaire for Musculoskeletal Symptoms, other symptoms (runny nose, skin itching, throat and eye irritation). In addition, workers were asked if they enjoyed their job, if the supervisor motivated them to work, and if they were afraid to lose their job. Activities were submitted to systematic observations, adapted from Ergonomics, and the loads carried were analyzed and some instruments weighted. The study included 80 workers of both genders between 16 and 59 years, being 40 from each region. There were evidences of low back pain risk in the activities of filling drinkers and washing bell drinkers, with a higher prevalence in region A, where automated systems were less frequently used. The study suggests that mechanized filling of feeders, and the use of nipple drinkers may prevent health problems. It was also found that psychosocial aspects were associated to musculoskeletal symptoms. Promoting better working conditions is essential, as these aspects can affect human behavior at work.
Highlights
The work in agriculture is a major cause of occupational diseases, with documented musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, diseases related to the use of pesticides, etc. (Kirkhorn & Schnenker, 2002; BLS, 2006)
There are musculoskeletal disorders associated to activities related to pig production (Stal & Englund, 2005; Silveira et al, 2008), and respiratory problems are detected in individuals that work in animal production environments, in pig and broiler production (Melbostad et al, 1997; Iversen et al, 2000)
The most frequent location of pain found was the low back, agreeing with the study of Barrero et al (2006) which determined a high prevalence of low back pain in farmers due to the physical strain caused by manual work activities
Summary
The work in agriculture is a major cause of occupational diseases, with documented musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, diseases related to the use of pesticides, etc. (Kirkhorn & Schnenker, 2002; BLS, 2006). The work in agriculture is a major cause of occupational diseases, with documented musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, diseases related to the use of pesticides, etc. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) include a variety of inflammatory and degenerative conditions that affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerve, including low back pain and myalgia (Punnet & Wegman, 2004). There are musculoskeletal disorders associated to activities related to pig production (Stal & Englund, 2005; Silveira et al, 2008), and respiratory problems are detected in individuals that work in animal production environments, in pig and broiler production (Melbostad et al, 1997; Iversen et al, 2000)
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