Work

Relationship between risk factors at workplace and upper limb work-related musculoskeletal pain among poultry slaughterhouse workers: A cross‑sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Poultry slaughterhouse workers (PSW) are exposed to various risk factors at work that contributes to upper limb work-related musculoskeletal pain (UL-WMSP) at workplace. Objective: This study evaluated the relationship between various risk factors at workplace and UL-WMSP among PSW. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Thailand among 98 PSW (52 women and 46 men). A self-reported form was used to collect demographic factors and job task profile among PSW. Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) was used to evaluate the risk of poor posture at work. The relationship between the risk factors and prevalence of UL-WMSP was evaluated through univariate logistic regression analysis (AMSEC-64EX-112). Results: About 86.7% (N=85) of PSW reported UL-WMSP over the last 12 months, and 68.4% (N=67) reported UL-WMSP during the period of the last 7 days. Around 91.8% (N=90) of PSW exhibited a poor posture at work with RULA scores at 7 or more indicating a high level of risk for UL-WMSP. Risk factors such as age (p<0.04) was significantly related with prevalence of UL-WMSP over the period of the last 7 days. A significant relationship was also found between job tasks such as poultry abdominal slitting task (p<0.02), poultry cutting-up task (p<0.03), types of tool use (p<0.01), poor posture (p<0.01) and prevalence of UL-WMSP over the last 12 months. Conclusion: Risk factors such as age, job tasks and poor posture are related to UL-WMSP among PSW at workplace. There is an essential need to develop musculoskeletal health and wellbeing program for the PSW to reduce UL-WMSP at the workplace and to create a healthy working environment.

Source: Journal of Associated Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.12982/jams.2025.055

Authors: Benjamaporn Hancharoenkul, Peanchai Khamwong, Ubon Pirunsan, Leonard Joseph, Kanokthip Sawangjaithum

Institutions: Dhurakij Pundit University, Chiang Mai University, University of Brighton, Mae Fah Luang University

Language: English

Topic: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Chiang Mai University, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University