Association between musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors in tropical crop workers of Spain using standardized Nordic questionnaire and Mini Psychosocial Factors method

Abstract

Southern Spain (Andalusia) is the only region in Europe capable of producing tropical fruits (avocado, cherimoya, and mango). The sector employs more than 4000 workers. The objective of this research is the integrated assessment of musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors of tropical crop workers in Andalusia using the 'Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms (NMQ)' and 'Mini Psychosocial Factors (MPF) method'. NMQ is a 28-question multiple-choice questionnaire covering the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, back, hips, knees, and ankles. The MPF method comprises 15 questions and analyses a total of 12 psychosocial variables (Autonomy, Compensation, Control, Demands, Emotional, Health, Mental Load, Mobbing, Recognition, Relationships, Rhythm, and Support). In total, 401 interviews were completed with an error/accuracy of 4.66%. The method for selecting the agricultural plots where the workers work was carried out in a random, non-stratified way using UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates. Multiple correspondence analysis, the Burt table, and descriptive statistics (with a chi-square test) were used to analyse the results. The results indicate that no high risk exists in any of the psychosocial factor although there is a medium risk. The psychosocial factor “Compensation” stands out. Musculoskeletal symptoms are identified in the back and neck. The symptoms do not prevent the workers from performing their agricultural tasks. Furthermore, the drought conditions over the last three agricultural seasons had the impact of decreasing agricultural wages, and this was slightly detected as an effect on the workers’ moral and economic recognition.