Abstract:
Background: Waste management is a mandatory activity around world but involves a variety of health hazards. In a developing country like Sri Lanka, municipal garbage is collected manually requiring strenuous physical activities and that cause musculoskeletal problem. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common cause of morbidity, disability and poor quality of life. Objectives: To identify the prevalence and associated risk factors of MSDs among garbage collectors in Colombo Municipal Council, Sri Lanka Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire, from 106 municipal garbage collectors who were employed in Colombo Municipal Council as permanent workers for more than 1 year of service. Results: Majority of the participants of this study were male (90.6%) and mean age (±SD) was 46.9 (±9.6) years. The results of the study indicated that 95.6% of the participants reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain in one or more of the defined body regions within the past 12 months. Furthermore, 91.5% of the participants reported experiencing pain within the last 7 days. Higher prevalence of symptoms were observed in the shoulder (78.2%), upper back pain (62.3%), lower back pain (44.3%), knee joint pain (42.5.%). A significant proportion of participants (45.3%), exhibited addiction to substances during periods of pain, while a notable prportion (22.6%) of workers resorted to obtaining medication from pharmacies without seeking guidance from a medical practitioner. The results of the study indicate that a majority of the participants, 78.3%, exhibited low level of stress, while a minority of 21.7% demonstrated moderate levels of stress. There was no significant association between MSDs and age, gender, working experience, amount of weight carried at once and stress level. However, there was significant association between musculoskeletal pain with substance uses (p=0.012). Conclusion: The higher percentage of musculoskeletal symptoms among garbage collectors could be affected in shoulders upper back, lower back, knee joint. It is highly recommended to implement preventive measures and treatment strategies to minimize the impact of MSDs among garbage collectors.
