Journal of School of Public Health and

Background and Aim: One of the most prevalent occupational diseases and conditions is musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) that impose expensive medical-recompense expenses, organic damages, and work-time wasting. The aim of this study was to detect spine curvatures (cervical, back/ low back, lumbar) and prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders in assembly workers of Bahman automobile company, Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study 160 assembly workers of Bahman Automobile Manufacturing Company (vans, cars), Tehran, Iran were included. In the descriptive part data were collected on the demographic characteristics of the subjects. In the analytical section associations among the dependent variables, as well as between the dependent and independent variables, were determined. The Nordick Questionnaire, a scale, and a flexible ruler were used for data collection. The SPSS software was used for data analysis.

Results: Although the mean age of the participants was low (30.89 yrs), the prevalence of MSDs was high (69.4% 1.58). The most prevalenct of the MSDs was in the lumbar part (n=83 %51.9) and the least in the hip and femoral region (n=9: %5.6). Significant associations (p < 0.05) were found between MSDs prevalence and independent factors (age, years of working, marital status). However, cervical, back, lumbar curvatures and the Delmax index were not statistically related with MSDs.

Conclusion: This study shows that associations exist between muscleo-skeletal disorders and age, years of working, height, and marital status. The findings also reveal that there is no relation between MSDs and the vertebral curvatures (cervical, back, lumbar), except the neck curvature in the car (not van) assembly workers. It may be concluded that genetics and environmental conditions can adversely affect the musculo-skeletal health. We cannot control the genetic factors. However, one can provide more favorable environmental conditions. For example, employing younger workers may help decrease the musculo-skeletal disorders.