Influencing factors of neck work related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in a shipyard in Guangzhou

  Objective  To investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) among workers in a shipyard in Guangzhou, and to explore the main factors affecting neck WMSDs.

  Methods  The WMSDs of workers in a shipyard in Guangzhou were investigated by Nordic musculoskeletal disease questionnaire (revised version), and the influencing factors of neck WMSDs were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

  Results  Among 148 shipyard workers, the total prevalence of WMSDs was 45.9%. The highest prevalence was in the neck (31.1%), followed by the shoulder (27.0%), lower back(21.6%), upper back(16.2%), leg(14.9%), knee(14.9%), elbow(14.9%), ankle(13.5%) and the hand (13.5%). The prevalence of WMSDs in the neck of workers engaged in grinding and welding was 50.0% and 41.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors of neck WMSDs were daily repetition of certain manipulation (OR=9.65, 95%CI: 1.77 52.61) and upper limb exertion (OR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.06 5.60). Adequate working break was the protective factor of neck WMSDs (OR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.16 0.92).

  Conclusions  The WMSDs prevalence of workers in shipyard workers was high, especially in the neck. The risk factors included poor working posture and unreasonable labor organization.