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KMID : 1141220140050030131
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Safety and Health at Work
2014 Volume.5 No. 3 p.131 ~ p.135
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Incidence and Predictors of Hand?Arm Musculoskeletal Complaints among Vibration-exposed African Cassava and Corn Millers
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Mbutshu Lukuke Hendrick
Malonga Kaj Francoise
Ngatu Nlandu Roger
Kanbara Sakiko
Longo Mbenza Benjamin
Suganuma Narufumi
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Abstract
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Background: Cassava and corn milling is a growing small-scale enterprise in Africa. We aimed to determine the incidence of hand?arm musculoskeletal complaints among vibration-exposed Congolese cassava and corn millers in the previous 12 months.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, prior to a follow-up study, from March to May 2013 among cassava/corn millers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in which 365 millers age-matched to 365 civil workers anonymously answered a questionnaire.
Results: Overall incidence of hand?arm musculoskeletal complaints was 25.8% in millers (vs. 5.2% in civil workers; p < 0.001). The risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms was seven times higher in millers [vs. civil workers; odds ratio (OR) = 7.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.03?12.50; p < 0.0001]; 2.4 times higher in smoking millers (vs. smoking civil office workers; OR = 2.36; 95% CI: 1.42?3.88; p < 0.001); 3.6 times higher in millers with longer daily exposure (> 8 hours; vs. those working ≤ 8 hours; OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.93?3.61; p = 0.026); and 7.4 times higher in young millers (vs. older millers, OR = 7.39; 95% CI: 1.29?75.52; p < 0.001). Smoking, number of cigarettes, and daily exposure duration were positively correlated with musculoskeletal complaints.
Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high incidence of musculoskeletal complaints among African cassava and corn millers. The use of anti-vibration protective equipment and the regulation of this hazardous occupation may reduce the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in millers.
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KEYWORD
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hand-arm vibration exposure, incidence, miller, musculoskeletal complaint
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