Abstract:
Introduction: Fish vending, an informal work, is expected to cause WMSDs due to
prolonged standing, shoulder elevation, bending and twisting, repetitiveness and
high physical activities. The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of
WMSDs and the associated factors among fish vendors.
Methods: In a cross sectional study, 202 fish vendors were selected using simple
random sampling technique with face to face interview to solicit data on working
conditions and WMSDs in the coastal areas of the Ampara district during June to
August 2022. Fish vendors were video recorded for postural analysis using RULA.
Results: The WMSDs among fish vendors in neck, shoulder, upper back, lower
back, elbow wrist, hip, knee and feet were 52%, 55%, 53.3%, 49.1%, 52%, 65.3%,
56%, 57.4% and 46% respectively. The final RULA score of 7 was obtained for 56%
of fish vendors. The awkward working posture was significantly associated with
WMSD in wrist while heavy lifting was associated with WMSDs in neck. The
humidity was significantly associated with WMSDs in shoulder, lower back and
knees and thermal comfort was significantly associated with WMSDs in lower back
and knees. The age and experience significantly associated with WMSDs in all the
body regions investigated.
Conclusion: The majority of fish vendors had WMSDs in different body regions.
The awkward posture, heavy lifting, age, experience, humidity and thermal
comfort were associated with WMSDS. Fish vendors are required to use a
recommended size of boxes to lift and carry fish and to have correct standing work
surface height and also to use knife designed with proper weight, handle size and
shape.
