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Background Musculoskeletal pain is associated with demographic, occupational and physical factors. Methods Our study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in 911 women working in small-scale agriculture in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006 using a questionnaire survey. Results In total, 67% (n = 574) of women reported any chronic musculoskeletal pain. The 12-month prevalence of pain ranged from 63.9% to 73.3% and the prevalence of specific chronic pain lasting more than 3 months ranged from 42.8% to 48.3%. Older age, carrying heavy loads, working with hands above shoulder height, and frequently squatting and kneeling were associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion The prevalence of pain reported in our study, was similar to other developing countries, but considerably higher than in developed countries. Ergonomic interventions including improved and adapted work techniques and tools should be considered to reduce the prevalence of pain in our study population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:202-209, 2009.
S. Naidoo MBChB1 * H. Kromhout PhD2 L. London MD3 R.N. Naidoo PhD1 A. Burdorf PhD4
[1]Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa;[2]Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Environmental Epidemiology Division, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands;[3]Occupational and Environmental Health Research Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;[4]Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands