[Study on the relationship between occupational exposure characteristics and musculoskeletal disorders in 29 industries or workforce groups in China].

Abstract

Objective: To explore the occupational contact characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among key occupational groups in China, assess the impact of occupational factors on the occurrence of WMSDs, and propose corresponding preventive strategies. Methods: Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was employed to retrospectively investigate the occurrence of WMSDs and related occupational factors. Valid questionnaire data from 88609 on-the-job workers in 441 enterprises across 29 industries or job types in seven regions of China were collected, and the relationship between WMSDs and various occupational factors was discussed using multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of different factors on the risk of WMSDs occurrence, with all statistical tests performed as two-tailed tests, using P<0.05 as the criterion for statistical significance. Results: Among the surveyed subjects, 59989 were male, accounting for 67.7% (59989/88609) ; 28620 women, accounting for 32.3% (28620/88609). The standardized incidence rate of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 9 parts of the body was statistically significant (P<0.05) among different working age groups without considering specific parts. The average length of service for onset of WMSDs (regardless of location) is (4.52±2.67) years, and there is a statistically significant difference in the length of service for onset of WMSDs in different locations (P<0.05). As the frequency of heavy object handling increases, the standardization rate and OR value of WMSDs in various parts show a significant increase trend. The incidence of WMSDs is significantly correlated with maintaining poor work posture for a long time, frequent repetitive operations, and heavy object handling (OR=1.52, 1.45, 1.63, P<0.01) . Conclusion: This study reveals that the risk of WMSDs in China's occupational population shows a non-linear change with increasing length of service, especially with a significant increase in 10 to 25 years of service. Poor work posture, frequent repetitive operations, and heavy object handling are significantly correlated with WMSDs, providing a scientific basis for developing more accurate and effective prevention strategies for WMSDs.