BACKGROUND: Many sewing machine operators are working with high risk factors for musculoskeletal health in the garments industries in Bangladesh. OBJECTIVE: To identify the physical risk factors among sewing machine operators in a Bangladeshi garments factory. PARTICIPANTS: Sewing machine operators (327, 83% female), were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 25.25 years. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Six ergonomic risk factors were determined using the Musculoskeletal Disorders risk assessment. Data collection included measurements of sewing machine table and chair heights; this data was combined with information from informal interviews. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Significant ergonomic risk factors found included the combination of awkward postures of the neck and back, repetitive hand and arm movements, poor ergonomic workstations and prolonged working hours without adequate breaks; these risk factors resulted in musculoskeletal complaints, sick leave, and switching jobs. CONCLUSIONS: One aspect of improving worker health in garment factories includes addressing musculoskeletal risk factors through ergonomic interventions.

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BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals are at high risk of developing occupational musculoskeletal injuries globally. Musculoskeletal pain is the most common problem. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent of discomfort that physiotherapy and occupational therapy health professionals report while working at a physical rehabilitation centre. PARTICIPANTS: Physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals which include both graduate and diploma physiotherapists and occupational therapists as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy assistants. METHODS: A self administered questionnaire (survey) was conducted on a convenient sample of 101 physiotherapy and occupational therapy personnel. RESULTS: The mean age of the 101 participants was 27.8 (± 4.5) years and most of the participants (62%) had less than 5 years of work experience. Ninety-five percent of the participants complained of work related pain. Most of the participants reported pain in the lower back (n = 84) followed by upper back (n = 71) and neck (n = 66). Significant associations were found for pain in ankles/feet with age (p = 0.05) and pain in neck with gender (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy and occupational therapy professionals suffer from pain in relation to the work they do as therapists which may be due to non-practice of appropriate body mechanics. Mechanism to assess level of practice during dealing with patients may be introduced to enable corrective measures. Incentives should be considered for appropriate practice.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of MSS among office workers is high worldwide, having a significant effect on medical costs, absenteeism, and quality of life. In Bangladesh, there are many office workers but there is no data on the prevalence and impact of MSS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSS among paper based office workers from one local office in order to determine whether or not an ergonomic intervention is required and the focus of the intervention needed. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 paper based office workers using a proportional stratified random sample. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 years with a mean of 12.0 years work experience. 76.0% (n = 152) of the respondents reported having MSS during the last 12 months. MSS complaints were reported primarily in the lower back region. 40.5% (n = 81) of the respondents reported interruption of their normal daily activities within the last 12 months reportedly due to MSS. CONCLUSION: The current study showed the high prevalence rate of MSS among office workers in one workplace in Bangladesh. This was a pilot study, but it suggests that there is likely a need for further study into office workers' work sites and work practices to prevent work related injuries.

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