Interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors on the presence of neck/shoulder symptoms and its consequences

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify the interaction between physical and psychosocial factors on the presence of neck/shoulder symptoms (NSS) and its consequences (reduced activities and absenteeism) among 1294 coal mining workers in Indonesia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on current workplace exposure and NSS and its consequences. Participants were grouped into one of four combination exposure groups: low physical and low psychosocial (as the reference group); low physical and high psychosocial; high physical and low psychosocial, and high physical and high psychosocial (HPhyHPsy). The attributable proportion (AP) due to interaction between both factors was examined. Individuals in the HPhyHPsy group were most likely to report NSS [odds ratio (OR) 4.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.43–9.58], reduced activities (OR 3.90, 95% CI 2.36–6.43), and absenteeism (OR 3.91, 95% CI 2.11–7.25). This study has shown an interaction between physical and psychosocial factors that increases the OR of NSS (AP 0.49, 95% CI 0.08–0.89).

Practitioner Summary: Although physical and psychosocial factors are known to be predictors for NSS, little is known about their interaction. Self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain information about physical and psychosocial factors at work. This study found an interaction between the physical and psychosocial risk factors that increases the odds ratio of NSS.

Keywords::

• musculoskeletal discomfort
• interaction
• developing countries
• work stress
• sick leave

Acknowledgements

We thank Rahmadani Arnur, BScPH and Dimas Ari Dharmawirawan, BScPH, who helped in the data collection and completed the data entry, also Setyo Rohadi, MD, MOHS who managed hosting during the survey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge funding support from the Directorate General of Higher Education Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Program, Department of National Education, Indonesia, and the Postgraduate Student Support, School of Management, Massey University, New Zealand. We also acknowledge the Massey University Research Fund (MURF COB-12-008) for the funding support for data analysis and manuscript preparation.