Journal of health research in community

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bolghanabadi S, nayerabadi A, taheri M. Relationship of Musculoskeletal Disorders with Workload among the Workers of a Ceramic and Tile Factory in Neyshabur, Iran, in 2017. J Health Res Commun 2017; 3 (3) :25-33
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-218-en.html

Introduction and purpose: Workload can be defined as the worker’s required capacity to fulfill a special level of performance while doing a task. Workload depends on the type of occupation and its task repetition, intensity, duration, and psychological factors. The increase in workload can result in the enhancement of musculoskeletal disorders. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of musculoskeletal disorders with workload among the worker of a Ceramic and Tile Factory. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 65 workers of a Ceramic and Tile Factory in Neyshabur, Khorasan Province, Iran. The data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 20, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman’s rank order correlation, and independent samples t-test. Results: The results of NASA-TLX demonstrated that the mean scores of performance and efficiency, frustration, and physical demands were 87±18.02, 76±26.67, and 75±23.43, respectively, representing desirable levels. In this index, the lowest mean score was related to effort (51±30.6) was the lowest score. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (63%) was observed in the lower back region in the past 12 months. Furthermore, workload showed a significant correlation with musculoskeletal discomfort in the lower back region (P<0.001) and shoulder, upper back, wrist, knee, and hip (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings were indicative of high levels of workload and musculoskeletal disorders among the participants. The results of this study showed that workload is one of the important risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders, which requires further investigation.