Musculoskeletal health of bakery workers in Lebanon

Background: Upper extremity pain of the shoulder, neck, wrists, and elbow has been linked to physical exertion, somatizing tendencies, and perceptions of health and environment at the workplace. Lebanon's bakery industry features cramped spaces, highly pressured work tasks, and frequent engagement of the upper extremities; conditions that exacerbate musculoskeletal pain.

Objective: This study assessed the association between physical factors and workers’ perception of health and environment and upper extremity musculoskeletal pain among Lebanese bakery workers.

Methods: 504 bakeries across Lebanon were randomly selected from a GIS sampling frame and surveys were conducted through face-to-face interviews in 2010.  A standardized questionnaire was used including items on musculoskeletal pain, general health, workplace activities/organization, and socio-demographic variables. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were carried out using SPSS 20.0.

Results: 23% of workers reported upper extremity pain. Workers reporting poor self-rated health were twice as likely to report painful symptoms (OR=2.08; CI=1.12-3.87). With each unit increase in the somatization tendency, workers were 51% more likely to report musculoskeletal pain (OR=1.51; CI=1.22–1.86). Workers engaging in tasks with their hands above their shoulders (OR=2.48; CI=1.44-4.29) or with repeated wrist movements (OR=3.00; CI=1.17-7.71) were more likely to report musculoskeletal pain. Workers that perceive the work environment negatively affects their health are twice as likely to report musculoskeletal pain (OR=2.04; CI=1.26-3.33).   

Conclusions: Upper musculoskeletal pain is exacerbated by physical exertions and negative self-perceptions of health and work environment. There is a need for interventions to improve the work environment and work conditions of bakery workers in Lebanon.