Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among subcontracted cleaners in a school of medicine in Thailand

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and determine factors influencing MSDs among subcontracted cleaners in a teaching hospital in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 subcontracted cleaners in a teaching hospital, from May 2020 to June 2020. Face-to-face interviews were carried out using a standard questionnaire, consisted of four parts: 1) participant characteristics, 2) Stress test, 3) Work characteristics, and 4) Standardized Nordic questionnaire, Thai version, for MSDs outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between MSDs and related factors. The results revealed that 331 subcontracted cleaners participated in the study, to which the median of age was 39 (28,49) years. The prevalence of 12-month MSDs was 81.9%, involving mostly the low back (57.7%), followed by the shoulder (52.6%). Factors significantly associated with MSDs were male gender (OR=3.06, 95% CI[1.19,7.87]), severe stress (OR=2.72, 95%CI[1.13, 6.54]), history of injuries (OR=4.37, 95%CI[1.27, 15.11]), mopping posture (OR=2.81, 95%CI[1.43, 5.50]), and task duration: OR=1.90, 95%CI[1.01, 3.57] for 2-4 hours, and OR=3.39, 95%CI[1.17, 9.86] for more than 4 hours. Sick leave due to MSDs was associated with history of injuries, Thai nationality, and part-time jobs. The findings about MSDs in terms of prevalence and related factors contributed to limited pool of the knowledge among subcontracted hospital cleaners in Thailand and middle-income country settings. IMPLICATION OF THESIS. Continuous training in occupational health and safety is necessary to prevent not only workplace injuries and MSDs but also reducing sick leave due to MSDs, especially in subcontracted cleaners who tend to low access to occupational health and safety. Stress has been identified as an important risk factor for MSDs among subcontracted cleaners in the hospital. Further cohort or case-control studies to explore the causes of stress and measure to reduce stress among subcontracted cleaners in the hospital are recommended.