Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Occupational Stress, and Their Associations with General Health in Working Populations in Various Industries

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been documented in various occupational groups in Iran. However, there is a gap in the studies regarding the prevalence of WMSDs, occupational stress, and general health in workers. The present study aimed to investigate the correlations between WMSDs, occupational stress, and general health. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 455 workers selected from various industries in 10 cities in Iran. Data were collected using self-reported measures to evaluate the body map, HSE management standards indicator tool, and general health questionnaire (GHQ). In total, 455 questionnaires were completed and analyzed. The mean differences were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results of Spearman's correlation-coefficient indicated a significant, positive correlation between WMSDs and occupational stress. In addition, negative correlations were observed between general health, WMSDs, and occupational stress. Some of the recommendations based on the findings are modifying the workplaces of individuals who perform long-term, static tasks, periodic identification of the individuals with musculoskeletal problems and taking measures to correct their posture, designing proper physical exercises for the individuals with hard work postures, and cognitive-behavioral education to raise awareness regarding the complications of mental health problems.