ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Kano is a metropolis and commercial centre in northern Nigeria; it is highly industrialized. Most of the population does factory work. Purpose. The survey was undertaken to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and other related occupational hazards among factory workers in Kano Metropolis. METHOD: Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to respondents recruited from tannery, steel rolling, textile and agrochemical factories at the 3 industrial estates of the metropolis. Only unskilled and manual labourers were considered. The respondents were selected using the nonprobability sample of convenience. RESULTS: Only 420 questionnaires were returned duly completed. Three hundred and fifty-three (84.05%) respondents were male and 67 (15.95%) were female. Their ages ranged between 21 and 58 years (M = 38.99 ± 1.01). RESULTS: Low back complaints had the highest prevalence (360, 85.71%), followed by upper limb injuries (171, 40.71%), shoulder complaints (156, 37.14%) and hip injuries (34, 8.10%). About 41% of the respondents reported 2 or more work-related MSIs. CONCLUSION: The study uncovered that a substantial percentage of factory workers had sustained MSIs. Body ache/discomfort in the low back region was the most common injury sustained among the subjects surveyed.
Subject(s)
Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology , Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiology , Wounds and Injuries/etiology , Accidents, Occupational/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Prevalence , Protective Clothing/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Limitations in spinal mobility can interfere with the attainment of important functional skills and activities of daily living and restrictions in spinal mobility are usually the earliest and reliable indicator of diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the differences of lumbar spinal mobility among healthy adults with advancing age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The modified Schober's method was used to measure anterior flexion. The guideline of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was adapted to measure lateral flexion and extension. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that spinal mobility decreases with advancing age. The most significant (P < 0.05) differences occurred between the two youngest and the two oldest age categories. CONCLUSION: Using these data, we developed normative values of spinal mobility for each sex and age group. This study helps the clinicians to understand and correlate the restrictions of lumbar spinal mobility due to age and differentiate the limitations due to disease.
