Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain and the Associated Factors in Mobile Phone Technicians

Abstract

Background: In this digital era, the role of mobile phone technicians is very important. Musculoskeletal discomfort is one of the most frequent occupational health concerns in both developed and developing nations, and it comes at a substantial cost to employers in terms of reduced productivity and higher health care expenses. Material and Methods: The aim was to study the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal discomfort among mobile phone technicians in Nagpur, India. An observational cross sectional study was conducted on 1000 repair technicians satisfying the inclusion criteria. Perception of barriers and facilitators was estimated as a percentage along with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence was high (78%). Work related musculoskeletal pain in the age range between 25 and 33 years (51%) was more common. The present study found that the severity of pain according to the Numerical Pain Rating Scale for the majority of the study participants(55%) was moderate. The result indicates that the most discomfort of the body regions is in the neck (36%), followed by the lower back (30%). Conclusion: Work related musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant burden for mobile phone repair technicians. They may suffer musculoskeletal problems as a result of their prolonged work hours and heavy exertion. This study found a link between the emergence of musculoskeletal discomforts in mobile phone technicians and the factors that cause them.