Factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among household waste collectors in Kinondoni municipality, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Household waste collectors play a crucial role in maintaining waste management in our environment, but their activities involve a variety of health hazards. In developing countries like Tanzania, the collection of waste is done manually which requires heavy physical activities. Among different occupational health hazards, musculoskeletal disorders are common among the household waste collectors. The study hypothesizes that various factors, including gender, working hours, and awareness of proper lifting techniques, contribute to the prevalence of MSDs among waste collectors in Tanzania. Objective To determine the factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among household waste collectors in in Kinondoni Municipality at Dar es salaam, Tanzania. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out where 138 household waste collectors were selected from the multi cluster random sampling. The study used a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. And prevalence of Musculoskeletal disorders was obtained from Calculating the percentage of the respondents with musculoskeletal disorders by determining the total number of the household waste collectors surveyed and calculating the percentage of the respondents who reported musculoskeletal disorder based on the identified criteria Data were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version26 to identify factors contributing to musculoskeletal disorders among household waste collectors. This applied chi square and bivariate logistics regression for data analysis Results The study found a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (71.0%) among participants, with significant associations observed between MSDs and factors such as gender (p=0.008), working hours (p=0.001), awareness of risks related to improper lifting xiv (p=0.011), and knowledge of preventive exercises (p=0.001). Pain was reported in various regions, with notable percentages experiencing discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Conclusion The study highlights the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among household waste collectors. Where there is the necessity for implementing preventive measures, including training on proper lifting techniques, regular health monitoring, and wellness initiatives. Recommendations for waste collectors include wellness initiatives, work breaks, and rotational schedules, promoting collaboration among stakeholders for a safer work environment.