Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Rice Keeper Basketwork Workers

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are obvious problems in occupations that can result in poor functional activity. A survey of the Thai national statistical office indicated the percentage of informal employment was as high as 62.6 % of the total employed persons in Thailand. Considered by the work regions, the informal employment mostly worked in the northeast of Thailand. In Khon Kaen province, rice keeper basketwork (RKB) is the major supplement of career. Most tasks in RKB are performed with prolonged sitting on the floor and using repetitive movements of upper extremity for long periods, were likely to increase the MSDs. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the MSDs and the association between MSDs and baseline demographics, work characteristics among RKB in basketwork group. Data were collected through the use of the Standard Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) in Thai version. The results showed that the top three of MSDs in twelve months period were shoulder pain, upper back pain, wrist and hand pain and the last seven days was found slightly less in the same following areas were shoulder pain, upper back pain, wrist and hand pain. Therefore, this study can be used as guide in planning for prevent MSDs.