Self-reported musculoskeletal complaints among garment workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background:

• Musculoskeletal symptoms are common in various occupations.
• Sewing machine operation involves repetitive motions and specific postures.
• Understanding the prevalence of these symptoms in sewing machine operators is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal morbidity in sewing machine operators versus a matched control group.
• To identify specific joints and body regions most affected by occupational demands in sewing machine operators.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire adapted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES) was administered to 144 sewing machine operators.
• Operators were matched by age, race, and sex with individuals from the HANES I Augmentation Survey.
• Prevalence odds ratios (POR) were calculated to compare symptom rates between groups.

Main Results:

• Sewing machine operators reported significantly higher rates of knee pain (POR = 1.84) and knee swelling (POR = 9.98).
• Increased prevalence of upper-back pain (POR = 2.13), and joint aches/swelling in fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders were observed.
• No significant differences were found in low-back pain or hospitalization for joint conditions.

Conclusions:

• Sewing machine operators exhibit a higher burden of specific musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly affecting the knees and upper back.
• Current ergonomic designs may not adequately address the physical demands of sewing machine operation.
• Future ergonomic redesign should focus on mitigating risks associated with knee, upper-back, arm, wrist, and finger movements.