Prevalence and risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorder among female domestic workers employed in private homes in South India: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common occupational health problem accounting for a larger number of compensation days and disability among workers. An invisible workforce of female domestic workers (FDWs) is involved in back-breaking jobs in the informal job sectors, and yet, there are no studies to quantify their work-related MSD’s (WMSDs). The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among FDWs employed at private houses in Bengaluru, South India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 408 randomly selected FDWs with a comparative group. The trained interviewer assessed WMSDs using a standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and psychosocial distress using the general health questionnaire–12. Results: A high prevalence of WMSD was reported in the neck (19.6%), shoulder (23.8%), elbow (12%), upper back (31.9%), and ankle (26%) in domestic workers than the non-domestic workers. Age above 37 years (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.03–3.06), house cleaning ([>1715 h/year – AOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.60–2.84] [1714–555 h/year – AOR: 1.30, 95% CI:0.66–2.59]), and clothing ([Care >1460 h/year – AOR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.12–5.35] [109–1459 h/year – AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 0.95–4.10]) were factors associated with neck pain in FDW. Moreover, work experience of more than 10 years (AOR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.32–3.34) and distress (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.25–3.61) was a factor associated with lower back pain in FDW. Conclusion: FDWs are substantially affected by WMSDs in the neck and lower back due to house cleaning and clothing care tasks performed in the workplace setting, respectively.