Ahmad M Khalil
Yarmouk University, Jordan
Title: Prevalence of musculoskeletal risk factors among truck drivers at the Jordan petroleum refinery company
Biography
Biography: Ahmad M Khalil
Abstract
Truck drivers work under conditions that predispose them to a high prevalence of risk factors for the development of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD). However, these factors have not been fully evaluated and are not usually considered to be within the scope of health or labor services. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 283 long-distance truck drivers and 100 work site controls at the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) located about 15 miles east of the capital; Amman. All the participants were males with experience at JPRC ranged from 5 to 35 years. The clinical evaluation consisted of an assessment of social habits and demographic data and an evaluation of risk factors for MSD. To test the work-relatedness of the MSD with the risk factors between the two groups, univariate and multivariate analyses were used. 42% of the occupational drivers reported back pain and only 7.2% reported legs pain. These prevalence rates were significantly higher than those found among clerical workers (37.7% and 3.8%, respectively). Elevated incidences of pain in the lumbar vertebrae, shoulder, and knee pain were recorded. Musculoskeletal pain significantly increased by age, weight, sitting posture and overwork. Moreover, surveyed truckers were found to have significant issues affecting their health, such as hemorrhoidectomy (9.84%), thyroidectomy (7.56%), disc surgery (4.37%), and varicosity (3.28%). These findings have potential to help researchers develop interventions to improve the emotional and occupational health of truck drivers, a highly underserved population. In order to cope with the health problems of truck drivers, it is recommended that working conditions among truck drivers be improved.