Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among tea garden workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: Occupational health is still in the developmental stage in Bangladesh. There is a lack of focus on agricultural workers. Statistics on musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) of any occupational group can assist in developing intervention and ergonomics-based prevention. This study aimed to assess work-related MSS among tea garden workers. SETTING: This cross-sectional study was done in one tea garden in Moulvibazar district which has the highest number of gardens in Bangladesh. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: 346 tea garden workers were interviewed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire Extended Version 2. Workers 18–60 years of age and of both sexes were interviewed individually. OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of MSS among the tea garden workers, MSS in different body regions and MSS related informations. Sociodemographic and work-related factor associated with MSS. RESULTS: Among the tea garden workers, 276 were female and 70 were male. The study showed 80.9% had symptoms in the past 12 months while 80.1% and 76.6% had in the past 4 weeks and on the day of the interview, respectively. Symptoms were most commonly reported at the shoulder (78.2%) followed by upper back (56.1%) and lower back (32.5%). Workers engaged with plucking operation were found to be significantly associated with symptoms compared with non-pluckers (p<0.05). Female workers were more likely to display symptoms in the neck (p<0.05) than male workers. Increased work hours were significantly associated with symptoms in the lower back (p<0.05). Overtime was responsible for symptoms in the elbow and hip/buttock (p<0.05). Statistics from relevant studies in India, Malaysia and Thailand were compared with the results of this study. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MSS among tea garden workers was found to be very high, and ergonomic interventions like reduction of weight load, job rotation and small breaks can reduce these symptoms.