Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Sewing Machine Workers in a Leather Industry

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders are the group of disorders which affects the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves and supporting blood vessels in the body. Sewing machine involves continuous, repetitive tasks like cutting, assembly, pressing and finishing. These works are performed in a sitting posture with upper back curved forwards and the head is bent towards the sewing machine. Working in this faulty posture for a long time increases the chance of developing work related musculoskeletal disorder among them. The objective of study is prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among sewing machine workers in leather industry. METHODS: A non- experimental study with 100 subjects according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using the NORDIC QUESTIONNAIRE musculoskeletal pain have been analysed. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of this study show 88% of sewing machine workers had a lower back pain in the last 12 months, 82% sewing machine workers had a lower back and knee pain that has been prevented them over last 12 months during normal activity, 86% sewing machine workers had lower back pain in the last 7 days. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the 86% experienced low back pain, 84% experienced knee pain and 74% of experienced neck pain in past 7 days. 88% of experienced low back pain, 86% experienced knee pain, 76% experienced neck pain in past 12 months.82% experienced pain in lower back and knee pain and 72% experienced neck pain among sewing machine manual workers that has impacted over last 12 months during normal activity.