Epidemiological study of multi-site WMSDs in the footwear industry in China

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in Chinese footwear industry workers from 2018 to 2020 and explore the possible influencing factors of WMSDs. Methods. 7106 subjects from 26 large shoe factories in China were investigated using the epidemiological cross-sectional survey method by using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ). Results. The total prevalence of WMSDs in the study subjects was 36.8% (2616/7106). Among them, the prevalence of multi-site WMSDs was 26.1% (1858/7106). The proportion of multi-site WMSDs involving two sites was the largest (31.38%). In addition, the results showed that the risk factors of multi-site WMSDs were gender, marital status, long current job experience, poor health, poor working posture, etc. Conclusions. The prevalence of WMSDs was high in the Chinese footwear industry. Based on the results, therefore, it seems necessary to improve work posture, work organization and workenvironment to prevent WMSDs.

KEYWORDS:

• musculoskeletal disorder
• footwear industry
• work

Acknowledgements

All of the participants involved in this study were from Chongqing, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangxi, and are thanked for their participation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

National Key R&D Program of China[Project No.: 2022YFC2503205], The Project of Occupational Health Risk Assessment and National Occupational Health Standard Formulation of National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control [Project No.: 131031109000160004].