Assessment of Risk Factors and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Barbers of Kerman City Using REBA Method

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major part of occupational diseases and one of the main causes of disabilities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of risk factors and musculoskeletal disorders in barbers of Kerman city in 2013 using REBA method.
This descriptive - analytical study assessed musculoskeletal disorder's risk factors in working conditions of 200 barbers of Kerman city by census and REBA methods. The required data were collected through Nordic questionnaire and REBA checklists. Data were then analyzed by SPSS16.
The most prevalent disorders were observed in low-back area; 70.4% in men and 52.7% in women. Following the low back area, neck with 47.9% in males and 52.2% in women, knees with 60.6% in males and 33.3% in women, and ankles with 52.2% in males and 33.3% in females had the highest ranges. In total, 57% of the participants under study were at low, 34% at average, and 9% at high risk level of musculoskeletal disorders.
Results showed that prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in low back, neck, and legs were relatively high and working conditions need to be improved. So, ergonomic interventions as well as improvement of barber's knowledge about musculoskeletal risk factors and working procedures are recommended.