Individual factors are associated with musculoskeletal pain and discomfort in workers from a beverage company

ABSTRACT Work-related musculoskeletal disorders may be associated with several risk factors. This study objective was to analyze the association of occupational risk factors and individual factors with musculoskeletal pain/discomfort in workers who performed dynamic loading activities as well as static postural functions in a beverage company that offers ergonomics and workplace exercises program to all employees. Associations of age, time on the job, nonadherence to labor gymnastics, Work Ability Index (WAI), perception of fatigue by the Need For Recovery scale (NFR), physical and mental health, general health status by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and pain by the Nordic pain map were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression in a cross-sectional observational study with odds ratios (OR), 95%CI, p < 0.05. Of the 100 workers evaluated, 57% reported pain, with the low back pain being the most prevalent (47%). An association was found with back pain, being 10.45 times related to workability, 7.4 times for age, 10.25 times for physical aspects; 6.13 times for functioning; 5.17 for general health status; 4.96 for social functioning, and 3.01 for emotional well-being for the SF-36 domains. The need for rest was 3.40 times associated with the presence of pain, time in the job was 4.12 times associated, while absenteeism was 7.35 and nonadherence to workplace exercises was 2.95 times associated. This sample findings suggest that individual factors such as physical health care and psychosocial support, in addition to workplace exercises and breaks, could be relevant as a preventive approach to alleviate pain.