Musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among heavy load carriers in Yaounde city, Cameroon

Objectives. This study assessed musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their correlates among heavy load carriers in Yaounde city, Cameroon. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 301 healthy male handlers. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence while logistic regression was performed to determine associated factors. Results. MSD prevalence was 100 and 87.7% during the last 12 months and 7 days, respectively. Main sites affected were, respectively, the lower back (84.1 and 61.1%), hips/thighs (81.1 and 47.2%) and neck (74.7 and 43.2%). MSD risk factors were age 25-30 years during the last 12 months (odds ratio [OR] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.2, 6.5]) and 7 days (OR = 4.2; 95% CI [-1.7, 10.7]) for the neck and the last 12 months (OR = 2.6; 95% CI [-1.1, 5.8]) for shoulders. Overweight was a risk factor for wrists/hands in the last 12 months (OR = 2.7; 95% CI [-11.0, 7.2]). Seniority of 5-10 years was a risk factor for the lower back (OR = 1.8; 95% CI [-1.0, 3.3]) and hips/thighs (OR = 3.2; 95% CI [-1.7, 5.8]) in the last 7 days. Conclusion. Handlers showed high MSD prevalence in most sites, e.g., lower back, upper back, hips/thighs, shoulders and neck. Associated significant factors were age, overweight and seniority.