Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among immigrant Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers in North Carolina. Issue 3 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mora, Dana C.; Miles, Christopher M.; Chen, Haiying; Quandt, Sara A.; Summers, Phillip; Arcury, Thomas A.
• Is Part Of: Archives of environmental & occupational health. Volume 71:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Farmworkers -- immigrant -- Latino -- manual workers -- musculoskeletal disorders; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2014.988676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-8244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates the variability in the prevalence of epicondylitis, rotator cuff syndrome, low back pain, and lower extremity pathology among immigrant Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Data were collected from a study among 272 farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Participants were recruited in eastern and central North Carolina. A physical examination was conducted by trained physicians. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among Latino manual workers is high compared with other workers in similar occupations. Non-farmworkers (49%) had a higher prevalence of MSDs than farmworkers (35%). Epicondylitis (20.2%) and rotator cuff syndrome (19.1%) were most prevalent. Age was found to be significant among those who had epicondylitis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.04) and lower extremity pathology (AOR = 1.07). Latino immigrant manual workers have high prevalence of MSDs. Further studies are needed to identify possible factors that make these populations more vulnerable to MSDs.