Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has risen to be a cause of concern amongst individuals and businesses, they are found the main contributing factor to disability leading to absenteeism and reduced productivity. The study investigates factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) amongst heavy machinery workers in the sugar cane industry in Big Bend, Eswatini.
Methodology: This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional design conducted in the Big Bend area of the Lubombo region, at Ubombo Sugar Company. The study population included workers who operate heavy machinery across various sections of the company. The convenience sampling method was used in the study to select 129 participants as a sample size that was calculated using Epi-Info version 7.25 at a 95% confidence level with a population size of 136 workers. A structured questionnaire developed through the assistance of a statistician from Statkon, University of Johannesburg was used to collect data and was self-distributed by the researcher. During data collection, the administration of the questionnaire followed a consistent pattern to ensure the reliability of the tool. A pilot study was conducted to test the validity of the questionnaire. Data collected was captured into Excel version 2021 (Microsoft 365) and exported to the IBM SPSS 29.0 version software for analysis. The analysis used included descriptive statistics, frequencies, and inferential statistics, focusing on correlation with p-value, adjusted odds, crude odds ratio, and Chi-square test.
Results: The findings revealed that the sugarcane industry in Big Bend Eswatini, is predominantly male, with 80.6% of the participants being men. A high prevalence of MSDs was observed, particularly in the lower back (74.4%), neck (70.5%), upper back (66.7%) and shoulders (55.8%). There was a lower prevalence of MSDs affecting the hips, buttocks, and wrists. This study identified several significant factors associated with WRMSDs among heavy machinery workers in Eswatini. Factors identified included years of machinery use (p-value-0.001), posture (p-value-0.001), awkward postures (p-value-0.001), and excessive work showed significant associations with WRMSDs, while factors like training and ergonomic policies had fewer clear impacts.
Conclusion: The study highlights the widespread impact of WRMSDs among heavy machinery workers in Eswatini's sugarcane industry. The findings underline the need for targeted interventions, such as ergonomic training and workplace redesign, to reduce the prevalence of MSDs and improve occupational health outcomes in the sector. Addressing these issues will not only benefit worker's health but also enhance productivity in the industry.