Musculoskeletal Pain and Associated Factors among Building Construction Workers in Southeastern Ethiopia

Background: Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is a major global occupational health problem, and employees in the construction industry have potential risk of it. Worldwide, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms involving one or more body regions is higher in construction workers. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors among building construction workers. Methodology: An institutional based cross sectional study was carried out among building construction employees in Goba towm from April 01-30/2017. Structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to select the study sample. Simple random sampling method was employed to select the study participants. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 computer software. Binary logistic regression and multivariable logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI) were performed. Result: The overall prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among building construction workers was 43.9% [95 % CI: (37.2, 49.3)] in the previous 12 months. Lower back (25.5%), wrist/ hands (16.9%), and upper back (15.7%) disorders were the three leading types of musculoskeletal disorders. Work category (AOR=3.71 for manual laborer and AOR=1.30 for masonry), and experience (AOR = 0.51) were identified as risk factors of musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among building construction workers is high. Being manual laborer and masonry, and working more than 5 years in the construction work will raise the odds of musculoskeletal pain.