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Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Stankevitz, K; Schoenfisch, A; de Silva, V; Tharindra, H; Stroo, M; Ostbye, T
Published in: International journal of occupational and environmental health
April 2016

Rubber tapping exposes workers to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.Questionnaires were administered to 300 rubber tappers to measure MSDs and potential associated factors. Ergonomic exposure levels were measured for 90 tappers using the Quick Exposure Check instrument. MSD prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated using log-binomial regression.In the past 12 months, 66% of rubber tappers in our sample experienced an MSD. Ergonomic exposure levels were high or very high in the back (94.4%), shoulders (96.7%), and neck (83.3%). Being female, older, Tamil, working two jobs, alternating tapping hands, and depression were significantly associated with increased risk of MSDs.MSDs are common among rubber tappers in Sri Lanka. These results suggest a need for work process modifications to prevent MSDs.

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Published In

International journal of occupational and environmental health

DOI

EISSN

2049-3967

ISSN

1077-3525

Publication Date

April 2016

Volume

22

Issue

2

Start / End Page

91 / 98

Related Subject Headings

  • Sri Lanka
  • Rubber
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Occupational Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Latex
  • Humans
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Stankevitz, K., Schoenfisch, A., de Silva, V., Tharindra, H., Stroo, M., & Ostbye, T. (2016). Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 22(2), 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/10773525.2016.1168073
Stankevitz, Kayla, Ashley Schoenfisch, Vijitha de Silva, Hemajith Tharindra, Marissa Stroo, and Truls Ostbye. “Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 22, no. 2 (April 2016): 91–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/10773525.2016.1168073.
Stankevitz K, Schoenfisch A, de Silva V, Tharindra H, Stroo M, Ostbye T. Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. International journal of occupational and environmental health. 2016 Apr;22(2):91–8.
Stankevitz, Kayla, et al. “Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 22, no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 91–98. Epmc, doi:10.1080/10773525.2016.1168073.
Stankevitz K, Schoenfisch A, de Silva V, Tharindra H, Stroo M, Ostbye T. Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. International journal of occupational and environmental health. 2016 Apr;22(2):91–98.

Published In

International journal of occupational and environmental health

DOI

EISSN

2049-3967

ISSN

1077-3525

Publication Date

April 2016

Volume

22

Issue

2

Start / End Page

91 / 98

Related Subject Headings

  • Sri Lanka
  • Rubber
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Occupational Diseases
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Latex
  • Humans