Work-related musculoskeletal pain and characteristics of brewery workers in southwest Nigeria - a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) is a common symptom associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It is aggravated by poor lifting techniques, inappropriate ergonomics, repetitive movements and awkward posture during the course of performing one’s duties. Variables such as age, marital status, work experience, alcohol, smoking and exercise habits have been found to play major roles in WMSP prevalence among different categories of workers. OBJECTIVES: This study focused on the lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of WMSP in association with the socio-demographics, lifestyle and work-related characteristics of brewery workers in Osun state, Southwest, Nigeria. METHOD: A descriptive research design was utilized, and a total of eighty-nine (89) participants were recruited with strict adherence to the inclusion criteria. A 28-item questionnaire was developed to obtain specific information on the prevalence and pattern of WMSP, while anthropometric measurements (weight and height) of each participant were measured. Collected data were organized and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square test. RESULTS: The lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of WMSP among the participants were 96.6%, 93.3%, and 57.3% respectively. The low back was the mostly affected body region. Significant associations exist between each of the lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of WMSP and participants' marital status. Furthermore, a significant association exists between the point prevalence of WMSP and participants’ age. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that there was a high prevalence of WMSP among brewery workers in Osun state, Southwest, Nigeria.