Factors Influencing Job Burnout and Musculoskeletal Disorders among Coal Miners in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal diseases (WMSDs) have been associated with job burnout. Currently, few studies have investigated the relationship between job burnout and WMSDs among coal miners. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1,325 staff were selected from 6 coal mining companies using a stratified cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of “Musculoskeletal Questionnaire” and “Occupational Burnout Scale” were used to investigate the link between WMSDs and job burnout. Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the factors influencing WMSDs. RESULTS: A total of 1,500 questionnaires were distributed, with a response rate of 88.33%. The prevalence of WMSDs in coal miners was 65.58%, while the prevalence of total, mild, moderate, and severe burnout were 90%, 39.77%, 43.77%, and 6.49%, respectively. The average score for job burnout was 50.78 ± 11.93. The prevalence of WMSDs among coal miners varied significantly with the length of service (χ(2)=14.493, P=0.001), type of work (χ(2)=11.438, P=0.022), shift system (χ(2)=6.462, P=0.040), and annual income (χ(2)=6.315, P=0.043). The proportions of male coal miners with moderate and severe burnout were 45.1% and 6.8%, respectively, which were higher compared with 28.6% and 2.9%, respectively, for women. The proportion of male coal miners with mild burnout was 38.1%, which was lower compared with 59.0% for women (P < 0.05). Coal miners who work more than two shifts had the highest burnout, while those who work day shifts had the lowest burnout (P < 0.001). The prevalence of WMSDs in the severe burnout group and in 9 body locations was significantly higher than that in other burnout groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression results showed that length of service, type of work, annual income, and burnout level are associated with WMSDs among coal miners (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of job burnout and WMSDs among coal miners in Xinjiang is relatively high. Job burnout is a risk factor for WMSDs among coal miners.