KUMJ | VOL. 16 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 62 | APRIL-JUNE 2018
Epidemiology of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Illnesses among Brick Kiln Workers in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Sanjel S, Khanal SN, Thygerson SM, Khanal K, Pun Z, Lama S, Joshi SK
Abstract: Background
Workers in the brick manufacturing industries require to carry heavy loads, do
repetitive work and remain in awkward postures for extended periods of time. These
activities may cause them to develop work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and
disorders.
Objective
To investigate the epidemiology of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders among
brick manufacturing workers as well as similar exposure groups among brick kiln
workers.
Method
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during February - March 2015 in
the Kathmandu Valley. From 16 brick kilns, 400 interviewees involving green brick
molding, green brick stacking/carrying, red brick loading/carrying, coal crushing/
carrying and firing were recruited. An unmatched equal size of reference group of
grocery workers was maintained for comparison. Prevalence of all musculoskeletal
symptoms and disorders were computed and compared among brick workers and
grocery workers as well as similar exposure groups among brick kiln workers.
Result
The musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders were prevalent in 90.5% of the
exposed and 82.2% of the reference group. Brick kiln workers were about two times
more likely to experience musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders compared to
the reference group. When the associations among similar exposure groups were
evaluated, there were significantly high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and
disorders among green brick molders, red brick loaders/carriers and coal crushers/
carriers in comparison to firemen.
Conclusion
This study showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders
among brick kilns workers. Among all similar exposure groups, coal crushing/carrying
task significantly elevated with all types of musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders.
Keyword : Brick kiln workers, Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders, Similar exposure groups
