Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Farmers and Ranchers in the U.S. Central States

ABSTRACT

Agricultural work involves ergonomic and psychosocial strain, which contribute to musculoskeletal conditions. The aim of this study was to assess if specific ergonomic, psychosocial, and preventive factors are linked to musculoskeletal pain or discomfort symptoms (MSS) in farmers and ranchers. We analyzed data from the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health survey that was conducted in 2018 in a seven-state region of the central United States. MSS were assessed with questions from the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. The survey included questions on demographic, ergonomic, psychosocial and preventive factors. Farm production variables were added from the Farm Market iD database. We analyzed the data using Generalized Estimating Equations. The overall prevalence of MSS for all body sites combined was 59% among 4,354 farmers and ranchers who responded (19% response rate). After controlling for age, sex, and operator status, three factors (high stress level, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion/fatigue) showed the strongest associations with MSS in any body site, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) ranging from 4.8 to 5.6. Forceful exertions, repetitive tasks, awkward postures, frequent manual labor, and vibration were also significantly associated with MSS, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.8 to 3.3. Recommended preventive techniques were not protective for MSS. New effective strategies are needed to reduce the high burden of musculoskeletal outcomes among farmers and agricultural workers.

KEYWORDS:

• Musculoskeletal
• symptom
• pain
• discomfort
• agriculture
• ergonomic
• prevention

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) Surveillance project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement award U54-OH010162.

Authors’ contributions

Yi Du (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-4044-1989) participated in the design of the research methodology, data analysis/interpretation, and drafted and finalized the manuscript. Lorena Baccaglini (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3548-4802) participated in the design of the research methodology, developing statistical models/interpretation, and critically evaluating the draft. Risto H Rautiainen (ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7295-5277) participated in the design of the research methodology, data collection, developing statistical models, and critically evaluating the draft. Anthony Johnson Jr (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-3478-8214) participated in the design of the research methodology, and critically evaluating the draft. Jagadeesh Puvvula (ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4927-3507) participated in the design of the research methodology, and critically evaluating the draft. Kaeli Samson prepared datasets for analyses.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Institution and Ethics approval and informed consent

University of Nebraska Medical Center Institutional Review Board approved this study protocol as exempt (#452-11-EX).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CDC/NIOSH through the Co-operative Agreement U54 OH010162 to the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [U54 OH010162].