Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors among Workers in Flower Farms in Southwest Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Gezu,Meaza(PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Abegaz,Teferi(PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Jebessa,Tsiyon Abera | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-22T16:02:18Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-22T16:02:18Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-06 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent in workplaces, especially in agriculture and floriculture. Working on flower farms presents significant risks for WRMSDs due to extended postures and repetitive tasks such as cutting, packing, storing flowers, and loading/unloading boxes. Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of self-reported work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their associated factors among flower farm workers in the Southwest Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined WRMSDs and associated factors among 423 flower farm workers in Southwest Shoa, Oromia, from January to June 2024. Data were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Addis Ababa University’s School of Public Health. Results: This cross-sectional study (Jan–Jun 2024) in Southwest Shoa Zone, Oromia, examined WRMSD prevalence and predictors among flower farm workers using interview data and logistic regression (OR, 95% CI, p < 0.05). The prevalence of WRMSDs was 63.36% (95% CI: 58.77–67.95%). Significant factors included age 25–35 years (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.07–4.08), being married (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.12–3.91), divorced/widowed (AOR: 5.00; 95% CI: 1.19–21.05), and basic literacy (AOR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11–0.67). Occupational and psychosocial factors—such as working in packhouses (AOR: 4.37; 95% CI: 1.51–12.69), awkward bending or twisting (AOR: 18.98; 95% CI: 1.62–221.96), job stress (AOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.55–8.64), and job dissatisfaction (AOR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.56–6.23)—were also significantly associated. Conclusion: Flower farm workers in Southwest Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia, exhibited a high prevalence of WRMSDs. Significant factors included age (25–35 years), marital status, literacy level, packhouse work, awkward postures, job stress, and dissatisfaction. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of WRMSDs and the need for integrated ergonomic and psychosocial interventions. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8530 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Work-related musculoskeletal Disorders | |
| dc.subject | Associated Factors | |
| dc.subject | Flower Farm Workers | |
| dc.subject | Southwest Shoa Zone of Oromia | |
| dc.subject | Ethiopia | |
| dc.title | Assessment of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors among Workers in Flower Farms in Southwest Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |