Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) are among the most common occupational health problems worldwide and disproportionately affect agricultural workers because of the physical demands of their work. However, evidence on MSS prevalence among farmers in Ecuador remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MSS and examine its association with selected sociodemographic and occupational factors among agricultural workers in rural communities in Loja, Ecuador. METHODS: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 farmers using the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the 12-month prevalence of MSS, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations with sociodemographic and occupational variables. RESULTS: A high prevalence of MSS was observed, particularly in the lower back (78.6%), knees (64.1%), and neck (58.3%). Overweight was significantly associated with lower back pain and marginally associated with neck pain. No significant associations were found between MSS prevalence and occupational exposure variables, such as working posture or weekly working hours. CONCLUSIONS: MSS are highly prevalent among agricultural workers in rural Ecuador. These findings highlight the need for preventive occupational health strategies to reduce musculoskeletal risk in agricultural settings.
Source: La Medicina del Lavoro
Language: English
Topic: Agriculture and Farm Safety
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7223266069