Biopsychosocial Factors Affecting the Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Surakarta, Central Java

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries and disorders that affect the human body's movement or musculoskeletal system (i.e. muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, discs, blood vessels, etc.). The impacts of MSD include reduced activity, reduction of work ability, and use of health care (seeing a health professional or taking prescription or nonprescription medication). Studies investigating risk factors of MSD are lacking in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to investigate biopsychosocial factors affecting the risk of MSD in Surakarta, Central Java. Subjects and Method: This was an analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design. The study was carried out at Dr. Moewardi hospital, Surakarta, Central Java from April to May 2018. A sample of 116 patients was selected by fixed disease sampling. The dependent variable was MSD. The independent variable were gender, history of chronic disease, body mass index (BMI), stress, occupational type, environmental working, and working posture. Data on MSD status were taken from medical record. Working posture was measured by REBA questionnaire. Other data were collected by questionnaire. The data were analyzed by path analysis. Results: The risk of MSDs was directly increased with BMI ≥25 (OR= 1.22; 95% CI= 0.15 to 2.30; p= 0.026), history of chronic disease (OR= 2.02; 95% CI= 0.96 to 3.08; p<0.001), heavy occupational type (OR= 1.56; 95% CI= 0.43 to 2.68; p<0.007), and poor working posture (REBA score ≥4) (OR= 1.75; 95% CI= 0.65 to-2.86; p= 0.002). The risk of MSDs was indirectly affected by environmental working, stress, and gender. Conclusion: The risk of MSDs is directly increased with BMI ≥25, history of chronic disease, heavy occupational type, and poor working posture (REBA score ≥4), and is indirectly affected by environmental working, stress, and gender.