Exploring Musculoskeletal Complaints in a Needle Manufacturing Industry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Paulo C. Anacleto Filho (), Ana Cristina Braga and Paula Carneiro
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Paulo C. Anacleto Filho: ALGORITMI Research Center/LASI, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Ana Cristina Braga: ALGORITMI Research Center/LASI, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Paula Carneiro: ALGORITMI Research Center/LASI, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) encompass a variety of conditions affecting muscles, joints, and nerves. In Portugal, MSDs are the most prevalent occupational health problem in companies. Based on the relevance of work-related MSD (WMSD), this study aims to assess the prevalence of MSD complaints in a needle manufacturing industry in Northern Portugal, following a cross-sectional approach. Thus, 526 workers from five departments (i.e., operator, tuning, maintenance, administration, and logistics) answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Within the last 12 months, females exhibited a higher frequency of complaints than males across all body parts except for ankles/feet. The body parts eliciting the most percentage of complaints for both genders include the lower back (54.2%), neck (42.2%), shoulders (39.0%), ankles/feet (38.2%), and wrists/hands (35.7%). No significant association was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and body part complaints. Tuners reported the highest complaint rate, with occupations as substantial predictors of complaints in certain body parts. Likewise, complaints tend to increase with age. The findings advocate for ergonomic interventions that are gender-, age-, and job-sensitive.

Keywords: physical ergonomics; musculoskeletal symptoms; cross-sectional study; manufacturing industry; working population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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