Prevalence and associated factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders among commercial milling machine operators in South-Eastern Nigerian markets

Neck Muscles' Responses to Cradle, Cross-cradle and Football Breastfeeding Hold Positions in Nursing Mothers: A Preliminary Study

Background

Breastfeeding-related Neck Pain (BFNP) is prevalent in nursing mothers and cuts across the utilization of different breastfeeding (BF) hold positions. Biomechanical considerations to highlight ergonomically safe BF positions for the prevention of BFNP have not been previously studied.

Aim

This study was designed to compare the electrical activities of selected neck muscles across three breastfeeding hold positions [cradle (C1), cross-cradle (C2), and football (FB)].

Materials and Method

Surface electromyographic analyses of four neck muscles (right and left components of each trapezius and sternocleidomastoid) were performed respectively during three BF trials with different BF hold positions (C1, C2, and FB) in 22 nursing mothers. For all the trials, the mothers nursed from the left breast.

Results

Across the three BF trials, the electrical activities of each of the neck muscles did not vary significantly (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the left muscular components showed predominantly higher activities, as compared to their right components.

Conclusion

The breastfeeding hold position adopted during BF tasks may not be a determinant of BFNP in nursing mothers. Further studies to ascertain the biomechanical implications of the utilized BF holds are recommended.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors in recyclable material waste pickers from the dump of the structural city in Brasília, Brazil

Solid waste management is a global challenge impacting the lives of thousands of people, among them the recyclable materials waste pickers, through the separation and sale of these materials, make a living for themselves. These workers face unhealthy working conditions and are exposed to various occupational risks, which predispose the prevalence of musculoskeletal as chronic back problems.

METHOD

Exploratory cross-sectional study with a semi-structured questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of back pain and related risk factors.

RESULTS

1.025 waste pickers were interviewed, and 970 records of chronic back pain were detected. Among them, 660 were women (68.04%), 310 were men (31.96%), the average age of 40.21 years; 597 were single (61.92%); 629 (64.84%) had over 11 years of work; 942 (97.11%) worked exclusively in the open dump, 899 (92.68%) with bags, 922 (95.05%) on dayshift. We found significant associations between gender (p < 0.001); age (p < 0.001); time at work (p < 0.022) and place at work (p < 0.001). After adjusting, there were higher prevalence of chronic back pain women (OR = 1.7), older age (OR = 2.64); working more than 11 years (OR = 1.09); and working on the open dump (OR = 2.8).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders was high. Women, over 36 years old, who worked more than 11 h a day in the open dump were more exposed to suffer from chronic back problems. The importance of urgently addressing the labor impacts related to solid waste management in developing countries to protect these workers and, especially, women involved in this work is emphasized.

Using the OVAKO working posture analysis system in cleaning occupations

BACKGROUND

Cleaning workers experience severe musculoskeletal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper was to examine musculoskeletal symptoms in cleaners of different heights to evaluate the effects of height on working postures in the work environment (schools).

METHODS

We used a three-stage method including using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms, a task analysis to confirm typical cleaning tasks, and the OVAKO Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) for posture analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate the adjusted effects of individual characteristics on painful body regions, using individuals without any pain as the reference category.

RESULTS

This study found that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms is very high for cleaners, especially in the shoulders, elbows, and lower back. Odds ratios for the accumulation of two or more risk factors were higher among men and were inversely associated with national economic indicators. The relatively high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms may stem from the multiple operations involved in cleaning tasks, such as trash collecting, floor mopping, toilet cleaning, and mirror polishing. Workers of different heights had differential work loadings for different tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper proposes recommendations for job adaptations and occupational safety training. Cleaners of different heights execute the typical tasks via different postures, and awkward postures often result in musculoskeletal symptoms. Cleaners should be provided with specific tools and training regarding working postures on the basis of height. These findings can be used as a reference for related operation designs and task improvements to ensure correct tool usage and safer working postures during cleaning.