Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Association with Fatigue and Individual Factors Among Supermarket Grocery Workers: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Supermarket grocery workers are at high risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) due to demanding postures and repetitive tasks. This study investigated the prevalence of WRMSDs, their association with fatigue, and individual factors affecting these workers in Surat, India. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study involving 190 grocery workers employed a convenience sampling method. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) assessed WRMSDs and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) evaluated fatigue. RESULTS: Results revealed a high prevalence of WRMSDs, with 72.7% of workers reporting experiencing them at least once. The lower back and ankle were the most commonly affected body parts (36.4% each), followed by the upper back (35.5%), neck (31.8%), and knee (28.2%). Gender distribution among those with WRMSDs was nearly equal (51.8% female, 48.2% male). DISCUSSION: It was found that difficulty with work and fatigue were associated with WRMSDs. However, factors like gender, body mass index (BMI), work experience, work duration, rest periods, rest duration, and worker type (full-time/part-time) did not show a statistically significant association. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the concerning prevalence of WRMSDs among supermarket grocery workers in India. The significant association between WRMSDs and work difficulty/fatigue suggests a need for interventions. Future research should explore ergonomic improvements, work organization strategies, and fatigue management programs to reduce WRMSDs and improve worker well-being in this industry. Key words: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs), Supermarket Grocery Workers, Fatigue