The association between works related musculoskeletal body discomfort and ergonomic risk level among female sewing machine operators in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Background: Work related musculoskeletal discomfort can occur in any region of the body. It affects sewing machine
operator’s activities of daily living and quality of life directly or indirectly. Poor ergonomics is a major contributor to
work related musculoskeletal discomfort that develops over time. It is important to find out the association between work
related musculoskeletal body discomfort and ergonomic risk level among female sewing machine operators of selected
garment factories in western province, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was preceded, with a study population of one hundred and thirty-seven
(137) female sewing machine operators within the age of 18-50 years at selected garment factories in the western province
of Sri Lanka.
Conclusion: Of the total sample, 72.99% operators presented with musculoskeletal discomfort. Qualitative and quantitative
data were obtained using a pre-validated questionnaire; Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire and Rapid
Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The mean age of study population was 33.55±1.64years. The highest prevalence of
discomfort was reported in neck (53.94%) and lower back (69.2%) regions. The mean ergonomic risk level was 8.42±0.16
which is 50.36% in study population. The majority of the sewing machine operators were in high ergonomic risk level
in western province of Sri Lanka and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was more in the lower back and neck
regions where the ergonomic interventions should have implemented.