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. 2024 Jun 13;25(1):461.
doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07564-1.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda

Bridget Nagawa Tamale  1 , Tonny Ssekamatte  2 , John Bosco Isunju  2 , Aisha Nalugya  2 , Mujjabi Martin Mukasa  3 , Arnold Tigaiza  2 , Doreen Nakalembe  2 , Winnifred K Kansiime  2 , Ceaser Kimbugwe  4 , Jane Sembuche Mselle  4 , Richard K Mugambe  2
Affiliations

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda

Bridget Nagawa Tamale et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Despite the limited evidence, desludging operators remain at a heightened risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study established the prevalence and predictors of WMSDs among desludging operators in Uganda.

Methods: A digitalized structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data on musculoskeletal disorders and routine workplace activities from 303 desludging operators in 11 cities in Uganda. These cities were purposively selected based on the presence of a fecal sludge treatment plant or wastewater treatment plant. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess WMSDs. Simple random sampling with replacements was used to select respondents. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0. Modified Poisson Regression was used to measure the strength of association between the independent variables and WMSDs.

Results: A total of 303 study participants were interviewed (97.7% response rate). The average age of the respondents was 34.0 years (SD ± 9.8). The prevalence of WMSDs among desludging operators was 29.7%. The body parts affected by MSDs were; the elbow for 4.6% (14/303), shoulder for 5.0% (15/303), and wrist/hand for 6.3% (19/303) of the respondents. At multivariable analysis, after controlling for age, desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work (APR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20-0.99), and feeling that everything done was an effort (APR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.87) were significantly associated with WMSDs.

Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSDs was high among desludging operators in Uganda. Desludging operators' ability to influence the availability of equipment needed to do their work and frequency of feeling that everything done was an effort were significantly associated with WMSDs. Interventions should focus on ensuring adequate provision of ergonomic equipment and promoting practices that reduce the physical strain associated with desludging tasks. Additionally, comprehensive training programs addressing proper lifting techniques and posture awareness could significantly mitigate the risk of WMSDs among desludging-operators.

Keywords: Desludging operators; Ergonomic hazards; Uganda; Work-related Musculoskeletal disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A conceptual model on risk factors for the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders [40, 43]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Body parts mainly affected by MSDs among desludging operators in Uganda
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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