Background Greenhouse growers work in damp, confined, and small spaces, and their prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) caused by awkward working postures in such an awkward working environment is attracting more and more attention.
Objective This study investigates the prevalence of WMSDs in vegetable greenhouse growers in Yinchuan City, and analyzes its influencing factors.
Methods From 2015 to 2017, a random cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey of 1 303 growers from four greenhouse villages in Yinchuan City for three consecutive years. The general demographic variables, living habits, working characteristics, and WMSDs of greenhouse growers were collected. Binary logistic regression models were adopted to identify the influencing factors of WMSDs.
Results The total prevalence rate of WMSDs among the greenhouse growers in Yinchuan City was 7.7%, and the prevalence rates of the three years were 9.2%, 8.2%, and 5.4%, respectively (P>0.05). Men accounted for 53% (691/1 303) of total participants. The prevalence rates of WMSDs were significantly different among the greenhouse growers of different ages and education levels (χ2=44.16, 12.50, P < 0.05). The prevalence rates of WMSDs in the greenhouse growers who often bent over and raised their heads were higher than the rates in those who did not (χ2=9.48, 5.02, P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis results found that the greenhouse growers who were older (OR=1.188, 95% CI:1.153-1.223), often bent over (OR=1.560, 95% CI:1.122-2.168), and raised heads (OR=1.110, 95% CI:1.036-1.337) had a higher WMSDs prevalence rate, while those with a higher education level had a lower WMSDs prevalence rate (OR=0.089, 95%CI:0.023-0.345) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Age, education level, and working postures such as bending and raising heads are the influencing factors of WMSDs among the selected greenhouse growers.
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