Prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms in French agricultural workers
E.Cercier1, J.Bodin1, N.Fouquet1,2, E.Chazelle2, B.Geoffroy-Perez2, R.Brunet1, Y.Roquelaure1,3
1LUNAM University, University of Angers, Laboratory of ergonomics and epidemiology in occupational health (LEEST), Angers, France, 2French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, Department of Occupational Health, Saint-Maurice, France, 3CHU, Angers, Angers, France
Keywords: upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms,agricultural sector,farmers and agricultural blue-collar workers
Introduction:
To estimate the prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms in agricultural workers, especially farmers and agricultural blue-collar workers, covered by a French health insurance fund (Mutualite sociale agricole - MSA).
Methods:
In 2010, about 10,000 workers were randomly selected from the MSA database of five French administrative areas. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire, participation rate was 24%. This study included 1,130 workers, aged 18-65 years old, working in agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, and active at the time of the study. Upper-limb symptoms (shoulder, elbow/forearm, and hand/wrist) were assessed by the Nordic questionnaire. Occupation was studied using five classes: farmers, craftsmen/salesmen/managers, professionals/technicians /associate professionals/lower-grade white-collar workers, agricultural blue-collar workers, non-agricultural blue-collar workers.
Results:
The prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms was higher in women than in men. It was respectively 71% and 57% for symptoms during the preceding 12 months (p<10-3), 34%
and 20% for symptoms for more than 30 days during the preceding 12 months (p<10-3) and 46% and 30% for symptoms during the preceding 7 days (p<10-4). The highest prevalence of symptoms during the preceding 12 months was observed for shoulder in men (41%), and hand/wrist in women (56%). In men, the prevalence of hand/wrist symptoms during the preceding 12 months was different according to occupation (p<10-3). Craftsmen/salesmen /managers declared more symptoms. In women, the prevalence of elbow/forearm symptoms during the preceding 7 days and for more than 30 days during the preceding 12 months was different by occupation (p<10-3 and p<10-2 respectively). Professionals/ technicians/associate professionals/lower-grade white-collar workers declared fewer symptoms. The symptoms prevalence was not significantly different between farmers and agricultural blue-collar workers, whatever the localisation, in both genders. Discussion-conclusion: This study confirms a high prevalence of upper-limb musculoskeletal symptoms in agricultural workers, particularly in women. It shows the need for prevention programs in this industry sector.
ICOH 31st International Congress on Occupational Health http://online.icoh2015.org/abstract/abs_print.html
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