Risk Of Musculoskeletal Problems Research Articles

Effects of early age of menarche on the health of Indian middle-aged women: A survey study

The age of menarche, which is a sign that a female has reached reproductive maturity, has a significant impact on the health of women. Numerous components, including nutritional status, socioeconomic status, diet, environment, sibling relationship, hereditary and genetic factors, religious group, ethnicity, psychological stress, migration, and chronic illness, have been postulated to influence the age of menarche. Opinions on these theories have varied, both for and against the theory. In a survey it was reported that women complaints joint pains /stiff shoulder and LBA. Risk of musculoskeletal problems and the perception of pain could increase with obesity.To find the prevalence of physiological and psychological health problems in middle-aged females due to early menarche.Women matching the study criteria and willing to participate in the survey were approached and informed consent was taken. An interview was conducted on either a physical or virtual mode by a trained therapist as per the check list designed for this study.The content of the checklist was validated with the help of experts in this study domain and subjected to statistical tests which yielded a Cronbach’s score of 0.967. The participants response on this checklist was analyzed and a strong association of physical and psychological health issue was documented particularly among working women, multiparous women, and with type of delivery women had undergone during 1 pregnancy.The present study documented significant findings with the early age of menarche and its association with physical and psychological health of the women.

Occupational hazards, sleep quality and musculoskeletal problems of pregnant workers

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between musculoskeletal problems and sleep quality and exposure to occupational hazards in working pregnant women. The study included a total of 142 pregnant women working in various industries. The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal system problems was found to increase with impaired sleep quality (OR interval min =1.132 max =1.303). As the amount of work-related physical damage increased, musculoskeletal complaints increased (OR interval min = 1.228 max = 1.527). Environmental hazards and psychosocial hazards seemed to increase the risk of having musculoskeletal problems (OR interval min = 1.209 max = 1.465, and OR interval min = 1.326 max = 1.547, respectively). Physical, psychosocial and workplace environmental hazards seemed to increase the risk of musculoskeletal complaints in pregnancy. It was also seen that as sleep quality decreased, so musculoskeletal complaints increased. Impact Statement What is already known about this subject? Occupational hazards and poor sleep quality can be associated with adverse health outcomes. Pregnant women working in different industries in Turkey may also face work-related hazards. They may also experience pregnancy-related sleep problems. In this context, there is a need to identify occupational hazards and problems related to sleep and to provide protective strategies. What do the results of this study add? The most frequent physical hazard was determined to be a simultaneous bending and rolling movement, the most frequent work environment hazard was noise exposure and the most frequent psychosocial hazard was the lack of a reward system. Physical, work environment and psychosocial hazards were observed to increase the risk of musculoskeletal problems. Moreover, the risk of having musculoskeletal problems increased as sleep quality deteriorated. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Training should be planned for working women, including the idea of conception and work-related hazards and protective strategies. It may be possible to provide arrangements related to the workplace by including employers in this training.

Workplace hazard faced by vulnerable migrant workers working in the informal sector at Lucknow city

Context: Workplace hazard is usually defined as working conditions that have potential to cause injury and/or illness to workers. Examples of hazards are exposed to hazardous substances; working with dangerous tools and equipment or performing potentially injurious task, such as repetitive movement and heavy lifting. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of workplace hazard face of vulnerable migrant workers. Setting and Design: The study was carried out on eighty migrant workers comprising of male and female. The purposive sampling technique was adopted in the study. Data were collected using a 9 question survey tool developed by S. Peter et.al, Institute for work and health, Canada, in 2016. Materials and Methods: A self-structured and standardized interview schedule scale (OHS) devised by institute for work and health, Canada, in 2016 used for the purpose of the gathering information and measurement workplace hazard in different variables of the respondents. The study adopted survey research design and interviewed respondents personally. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were coded and analyzed using IBM SPSS20.0 Version. The level of workplace hazard in different segments was analyzed in the form of frequencies, mean, standard deviation and the significance was tested using ANOVA. Result : The study clearly showed that the maximum hazard in the workplace by migrant workers is to repeatedly repeat the same movement with hands or wrists, exposure to chemical, gas, and flammable substance, standing hours in the same posture and working for 2 meters. The hazard was felt in stand and working in greater heights. Conclusion: In the present study it has been found that the issue of occupational health among workers needs more attention. There was a risk of musculoskeletal problems and breathing problems and slipping while working in their stations. Measures are needed to improve the work environment of workplace safety staff that ensures the availability of personal protective equipment, good living condition and hygiene at the sites. In addition, the protection of workers’ health is the responsibility to the community as well as local government and businessmen.

Posture analysis among Flemish secondary school teachers: difference between the use of chalkboards and electronic school boards during classroom teaching

The aim of this study was to (i) make a posture analysis of teachers during theoretical classroom teaching; (ii) to estimate the risk for the development of musculoskeletal problems (MSP); (iii) test the hypotheses that an electronic school board (EB) has more ergonomic advantages for teachers. Thirty-five secondary school teachers, of which 15 used an EB and 20 used chalkboards, were selected by convenience sampling and filmed during 30 min of a theoretical course. Posture analysis of back, arms, legs and risk assessment was performed using the Ovako Working Posture Analysis System. Most of the teachers’ postures did not indicate a higher risk for MSP. However, some postures may be harmful when accumulated for several hours of teaching a day; especially, long periods of standing and standing with a bended back. Results also indicated that currently the use of an EB does not improve teachers’ posture.Practitioner Summary: The relationship between objectively measured physical work load and risk for injuries among teachers was not analysed so far. In this study teachers’ posture was analysed using the OWAS method. Prolonged standing and forward bending were identified as risk postures. Also, using an electronic school board currently does not improve posture.

Worktime control: theoretical conceptualization, current empirical knowledge, and research agenda

Worktime control : theoretical conceptualization, current empirical knowledge, and research agenda

Trends in de kwaliteit van de arbeid in Nederland en Europa

Trends in the quality of work in the Netherlands and Europe Trends in the quality of work in the Netherlands and Europe This paper presents trends in the quality of work in the Netherlands, and compared these with Europe. Globalisation, technological innovation and a labour market shift towards the service sectors are hypothesized to be main drivers of these trends. An increase of work intensification, an expected trait of globalisation, is seen in Europe but not in the Netherlands (anymore). The Netherlands was leading in work pressure up till 2000 but rates average on this since then. In addition, there has been an increase in temporary contracts since the nineties, and a recent decrease in job security in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, possibly as an effect of the increase of the service sectors, physical and environmental risks at work, the number of working hours and shift work remained the same or slightly decreased. Social support by supervisors and co-workers is high and recently showed further increase. Dutch employees are increasingly using the computer and are teleworking. Computer work and teleworking are done much more often in the Netherlands then in Europe as a whole. In the Netherlands computer work is associated with a good quality of work, although the percentage of employees at risk for musculoskeletal problems is increasing because of a steady rise in employees working at the computer for 4-6 or more hours a day. The quality of work in the Netherlands is considerably higher than the European average. An exception is work-related violence and harassment, which is relatively high in the Netherlands with its large service economy and client contacts. At the European level physical violence is increasing, but recent Dutch data do not show an increase in work-related violence and harassment.

Musculoskeletal Ill Health among UK Cleaners

This two year study of musculoskeletal health problems among UK cleaners incorporated the findings from questionnaire surveys, workplace assessments, laboratory trials and focus groups. Higher than expected prevalence rates of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort were identified among cleaners. The main areas affected were: elbows, knees, right wrist and hand, lower back, neck, and right shoulder. The proportion of cleaners seeking medical advice was high (52%). 23% reported taking time off work in the year prior to the study because of these problems, providing some measure of the probable cost of these disorders to employers, society and individuals. Work factors were found to be associated with an increase in risk for musculoskeletal problems among the study group. These included the unsuitable design of equipment, specific work tasks and postures and poor work organisation.

Musculoskeletal Problems in Relation to Farming, Gender and Smoking

The aim of the present study was to investigate if smoking habits covariated with musculoskeletal problems among a group of male and female farmers and a control group from the general population. A questionnaire was sent to all farms and to a group of controls from the general population in the county of Uppsala. It comprised questions about smoking habits and musculoskeletal problems. Crosstabulations and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. In the analyses we included smoking habits, age, gender and group belonging, e g farmers or controls. Age did not give a higher risk for musculoskeletal problems in any of the groups. The results showed that problems were related both to gender and group combined or not combined with smoking habits.