Work-related stress levels and musculoskeletal disorders among municipal solid waste collectors in Ankara

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Industrialization and rising standards of living have contributed to a growing amount of solid waste and consequent disposal problems. Solid waste collection is among the occupations with the highest risk for musculoskeletal disorders. OBJECTIVE:We have conducted this study to assess musculoskeletal complaints and work-related stress levels among municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors. METHODS:The subjects were all currently employed at the MSW Department of the City of Ankara, Turkey. Validated questionnaires were completed by 267 MSW collectors. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (22.0 version). RESULTS: Upper back pain rate was 89.1% among the collectors. 47.9% of collectors reported having had upper back pain during the last 12 months and 38.7% had experienced it during the last month. 80.9% of the sample complained of shoulder pain. Wrists/hands and neck pain rates were found at rates of 78.7% and 67.8% respectively. Psychological demands, were significantly higher among MSW collectors living with moderate-severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: Ergonomics education, healthy work habits, occupational safety training and improvements in the psychosocial work environment should be considered.

COVID-19 hospital outbreaks: Protecting healthcare workers to protect frail patients. An Italian observational cohort study

“…However, 2854 HCWs belonging to the low-risk group complained of at least one evocative symptom, but only 0.52% of them were affected by COVID-19. Work-related stress seem to be widespread among medical practitioners and in other working settings ( De Sio et al, 2020 , Bulduk, 2019 , Eskildsen et al, 2017 , Li et al, 2016 ), it also has increased during the pandemic in COVID-19 hospitals ( Blake et al 2020 ); therefore it is possible to presume that the high prevalence of symptoms could be also linked to this mental condition. Work-related stress not only affects the physician's mental and physical well-being, but also patient care quality and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.…”

Psychological stress and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors in Hanoi, Vietnam: A cross-sectional study

“…Among them, only one study reported the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Japanese MSW incinerator workers, using the Japanese version of the Profile of Mood States Test [ 13 ]. Other studies investigated stressors [ 10 , 11 ] or the psychological work environment using the Job Content Questionnaires [ 4 , 12 ]. The higher prevalence of mental disorders in the Japanese study might be attributable to the study participants’ occupation.…”

“…Although the mean score (standard deviation) of DASS-S among WCs in this study was moderate (9.7 ± 7.8), 4.1% and 3.1% of WCs showed moderate to severe levels of stress symptoms, respectively. Research on psychological stress among WCs has thus far been limited [4,[10][11][12][13]. Among them, only one study reported the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Japanese MSW incinerator workers, using the Japanese version of the Profile of Mood States Test [13].…”

“…In our review of the literature, we found many reports of a variety of physical health problems among workers in this occupation, but few publications describing workers' exposure to work-related stressors [10][11][12] or their harsh work environment [4]. Only one paper reported multiple indicators of mental health status among Japanese MSW workers in 2019, including tension/anxiety (45.5%), depression-dejection (20.0%), or social dysfunction (18.2%) [13].…”

A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Survey of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors among Coal Mine Workers in Xinjiang

“…It has been reported that 30% of European workers suffer from back pain, and the economic loss caused by back pain in Holland accounts for 1.7% of the national wealth every year. Furthermore [2,3], the number of days absent from work due to MSDs accounts for 15%-22% of the total as a consequence of industry-related diseases in the Federal Republic of Germany every year. The direct and indirect economic losses incurred in Canada due to MSDs are as high as nearly 100 billion US dollars every year.…”