The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Fruit and Vegetable Markets Workers of Tehran and Factors Affecting Disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders can a great deal cost for communities each year. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in workers working in the fruit and vegetable markets and to identify the risk factors that affecting these disorders.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 570 the fruit and vegetable markets workers in 2014. To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, the Cornell Questionnaire (CMDQ) was distributed among the selected samples. Finally, data were analyzed with SSPS version 18.

The mean age of the participates was 31.49±6.38 and the mean time of work was 12.28±1.51. In addition, work experience was 5.5±2.06. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was estimated 78.3 ± 6.8. The prevalence rates in the balance sheet, bar, middle, back, and lettuce and vegetable occupations were 91, 86, 78, 71, and 75, respectively. Correlations between age, body mass index, occupational group and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders were significant (P<0.05).

The findings of this study recommend the implementation of appropriate interventional measures, such as redesigning workstations and training workers on proper carriage, the need for part-time occupational health professionals to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, and increase workers' efficiency.