Evaluation of Musculoskeletal System Problems in Shipyard Workers

Abstract

Objective: In the research, it is aimed to evaluate the musculoskeletal system problems in shipyard employees. Method: The study is a cross-sectional study and was conducted in three shipyards in Kocaeli between October and December 2019. The survey form was used in the study. The second part of the questionnaire consisted of the Expanded Nordic Musculoskeletal System questionnaire. The study was conducted with 280 shipyard employees. Statistical significance level was taken as p < 0.05 in the analysis. Result: 31.1% of the participants are in the age group 30 and under, 30.7% are in the 31-40 age group; their average age is 37.1 ± 10.5. It was found that 6.8% of the participants in the study had a chronic disease; 49.3% of them were still smoking; 14.3% of them used alcohol; 14.3% of them exercised regularly. In the study, 22.1% of the shipyard workers had pain in their waist, 18.2% on their back, 17.9% on their neck, and 16.1% on their shoulders. It was determined that 7.9% of the participants used medication for low back pain and 4.6% for neck and knee pain. Conclusions: In the study, it was found that the most common pain was in the waist and then in the upper extremity musculoskeletal system. It is recommended to make working environments more ergonomic and to provide training on the posture positions of the employees during working.