Musculoskeletal morbidity and associated factors among designated sanitation workers employed by Thiruvananthapuram corporation and its possible implications in primary care: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Sanitation workers do physically demanding job like collecting, segregating, and disposing waste. They are prone to develop musculoskeletal problems. The study aimed to measure sociodemographic profile and musculoskeletal morbidity among sanitation workers employed by the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among, sanitation workers employed by Thiruvananthapuram corporation and factors associated with it. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram corporation. The designated sanitation workers employed by Thiruvananthapuram corporation were study population. 165 workers sampled out of 641 workers, working for not less than 12 months from before initiation of study, were included in study and were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using semistructured questionnaire, entered into MS Excel, analysed appropriately using appropriate statistical software. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during work during the last 1 year was assessed using Standardised Nordic questionnaire adopted in local language Malayalam. Socioeconomic factors and risk factors related to nature of work were also studied. Association between sociodemographic factors, risk factors and musculoskeletal morbidity was also tested statistically. Results: Of total study participants, 73 (44.2%) had felt knee pain in any of the knees or both knees, 53 (32.3%) had low back pain during the past 1-year period, followed by ankle pain and shoulder pain which 34 (21.6%) and 29 (17.9%) of participants reported. Overall, pain in any one of the body part was reported by 111 (67.3%) participants. Conclusion: The study revealed high burden of musculoskeletal pain like knee pain, low back pain, ankle and shoulder. There is a need to take measures to reduce musculoskeletal pain and morbidities among sanitation workers employed by the corporation. Mostly, they are of older age, majority female gender and are prone to develop diseases of musculoskeletal system. Better ergonomic practices, mechanisation and health education will be beneficial to them.