Hispanic Construction Workers Working in Chronic Musculoskeletal Knee Pain: Evidence from the Protecting Every Construction worker Knee (PECK) Pilot Study

Background/Purpose: Studies suggest that fear of job loss and worker tolerance of occupational hazards inherent to the worksite contribute to underreporting of injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, particularly among minority worker groups. Despite the growing proportion of the Hispanic construction workforce, little is known of the socio-demographic and workplace characteristics that contribute to reporting of chronic knee pain among Hispanic workers. We assessed correlates of self-reported knee pain among an ethnically heterogeneous sample of construction workers.

Methods: Commercial construction workers (n=240) completed the PECK study brief survey instrument in Summer 2013. Our primary outcome measure was self-reported knee pain or aching in the past three months (chronic pain). Logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between knee pain and Hispanic ethnicity, while controlling for: age, gender, race, body-mass-index, number of anatomical pain locations in the past three months, number of workplace injuries in the past month, number of hours worked per week, and union membership status.

Results/Outcomes: Out of all surveyed workers, 59.6% self-identified as Hispanic, of which 66.0% reported chronic knee pain. Construction workers were significantly more likely to report knee pain who: were Hispanic (Odds Ratio: 3.47; 95% CI [1.13–10.63]), reported multisite (2+) chronic pain (8.99;[2.45-32.98]), or reported one injury in the past month (6.54;[2.14-19.92]). Black workers were significantly less likely to report knee pain (0.11;[0.02-.074]).

Conclusion: Contrary to prior scientific evidence, Hispanic workers in the PECK study reported more chronic knee pain than non-Hispanic workers, indicating that further research is necessary to evaluate factors influencing report of musculoskeletal pain.