Musculoskeletal Disorders among Northeastern Construction Workers with Temporary Migration

Abstract

Background: musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are obvious problems in many occupations. Their prevalence, however, in Northeastern construction workers with temporary migration has yet been investigated.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of MSDs in different body parts in the construction workers.

Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the Sriracha P.T. construction and engineering company from May to July 2006. Two hundred fifty seven northeastern construction workers with temporary migration to Chonburi province were selected by purposive method. A modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used in this study. Reliability and validity of this tool has been established.

Results: The prevalence of MSDs during a 12-month period was found in the following anatomical areas: low back 33.5% (95% CI: 27.7-39.3), knees 19.5% (95% CI: 14.6-24.3) and shoulders 14.0% (95% CI: 10.1-18.7). The prevalence of MSDs during a 7-day period was found slightly less in the same following areas: low back 24.5% (95% CI: 19.2-29.8), knees 14.0% (95% CI: 9.7-18.2) and shoulders 10.9% (95% CI: 7.1-14.7).

Conclusion: The present study indicated that MSDs in the low back, knees and shoulders are common among construction workers. Awareness of prevention of the problems should be given to the construction workers.

Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders, construction workers, temporary migration, Standardized Nordic Questionnaire