Risk Factors Associated with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Miners at Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mines

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are common in most industries worldwide and result in in for example absenteeism, reduction in work output and productivity. Work in the mining sector involves exposure to several hazards. Although, most studies have focused on other occupational diseases, not much has been done in Ghana concerning work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSS) among miners. Objective: To assess the risk factors associated with work related musculoskeletal symptoms among miners of Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional study design using a Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire and job content questionnaire among 180 randomly selected mineworkers. The data were analyzed with STATA (version 15). Bivariate analysis using Chi-square was performed to test the associations between independent variables and development of musculoskeletal symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out on all related factors, crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were computed and statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: Results: The results of this study shows the overall proportion of miners that experienced work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of Goldfields Ghana Limited was 13.9% (95% CI: 8.7%-18.9%). The forearm [94.4% (95% CI: 91.1-97.8%], upper arm [69.4% (95% CI: 59.5-72.4%], and lower back [52.8% (95% CI: 39.8-54.6%], were the body parts with high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Factors found to be significantly associated with the WMSS of the forearm were; type of department (AOR= 5.87; 95% CI=1.74-9.74), working category (AOR=0.25; 95% CI= 0.36-0.81) and job demand (AOR= 6.4; 95% CI=4.63-9.76). Number of times lifting objects weighing >25kg daily (AOR=1.28; 95% CI= 1.11-2.67), operate machines that cause whole body vibrations AOR= AOR= 1.72; 95% CI=1.24-5.72) were associated with WMSS of lower back whilst the number of times lifting objects weighing >25kg daily (AOR=1.78; 95% CI= 1.36-5.67) and BMI (AOR= 2.27; 95% CI=1.35-5.03) were the factors found to be significant associated with WMSS of the upper arm. Conclusion: The studies have found that the proportion of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among miners of Goldfields Ghana Limited is very low. Job support should be given to the workers to improve their general well-being. These findings suggest the need for further research on the challenges work-related musculoskeletal symptom poses on productivity of the workers and the company at large.