Abstract:
Background
Musculoskeletal disorder is prevalent and their impact is pervasive. They are the most
common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability, and they affect
hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders and associated
factors among municipal solid waste collectors in Bahir Dar city.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among · municipal solid waste collectors in
Bahir Dar city using face to face structured and interview. Data was collected and then
entered using EPI info version 7 a'i),d .... analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical
program. Frequency, percentage and OR with 95%CI were computed.
Results
The 12-month prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder among the workers
was 62.7%. The most commonly affected body part was the lower back (26.5%i.
Workers with age range 26-35 years and 36-45 year were 62% and 72% less likely to
develop work related musculoskeletal disorder respectively than workers ag ·~ above
45 years, (OR= 0.38, 95% Cl 0.18, 0.79, and 0.28, 95% Cl 0.13, 0.64) . wor who
report heavy weight lifting were 2.65 times more likely to develop musculos . · 1etal
disorder compared to workers who didn't report heavy weight lifting (OR=2.65, 95% Cl
1. 70, 4.11 ). workers who served more than 4 years were 2.15 times more likely to
develop disorder compared to workers who served less than 4 years (OR=2.15, 95%
Cl 1.36, 3.42).
Conclusion
Municipal solid waste collectors are among the most highly exposed occupational
groups with respect to musculoskeletal disorder. The higher percentage of
musculoskeletal symptoms among MSW collectors could be attributed to increase age,
long duration of employment and the nature of their job which is physically demanding
and involves lifting, pulling, pushing heavy loads during daily work associated with
musculoskeletal disorder. -