Factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders of workers in the silk weaving professions in Chaiyaphum province

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders of worker in the silk weaving professions have become a significant problem affecting production effectiveness. This study explores the prevalence rate and factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders of 150 members of the silk weaving profession in Chaiyaphum province. The data was collected by using questionnaires applied from the Standardized Nordic questionnaire and the musculoskeletal disorders evaluation form developed by The Department of Disease Control. The data was analyzed in statistic descriptive and binary logistic regression. The results revealed that 100% of silk weaving professionals had problems with muscle aches mostly affecting their feet, ankles, bottoms. Lower back pain and knee pain were reported at 98.00 % and 96.67% respectively. Factors affecting the musculoskeletal disorders were 1) the body mass index, 2) the exertion to press or squeeze objects during weaving, 3) the exertion of twisting their bodies back and forth during weaving, 4) duration of weaving time per day, 5) the continuous bending down of their heads to work, 6) the age of the workers.

Keywords

• musculoskeletal disorders
• weaving
• ergonomics