Abstract:
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been a worldwide health
problem and in which the work environment and working conditions contribute
significantly to economic burdens on society. Driving a three-wheel car is an emerging
job opportunity in most parts of developing countries including Ethiopia. However, there
is lack of study conducted in the selected study area.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its
associated factors among three wheels’ drivers in Ambo town, West Shoa, Ethiopia, 2024
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 three
wheels’ drivers selected by systematic sampling technique from March 1-30/2024. Data
were collected through face to face interview by using a structured questionnaire in
Ambo town. The collected data were coded and entered into Epi-data version 4.6 then
exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were
done and displayed by text, tables and figures. AOR with 95% confidence intervals was
computed to identify the presence and strength of association, and statistical significant
was declared at p-value < 0.05. Model goodness-of-fit was checked by the Hosmer Lemeshow test. The binary logistic regression model was fitted.
Result: From the total respondents, 197 (51.8%) with 95% CI (46.8-57.1) of them
developed musculoskeletal disorders. Secondary school of educational level, (AOR=0.32;
95% CI: 0.17, 0.62); history of musculoskeletal disorder (AOR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.11,
3.30); driving on coble stone road, (AOR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.49); 5 to 10 years of
experience in driving three wheel, (AOR= 1.681; 95% CI: 1.031, 2.741) were significant
factors for the development of musculoskeletal disorders among three-wheel car drivers.
Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, it was found that the prevalence of
musculoskeletal disorders among three wheel drivers in Ambo town was considerably
high. Educational status, history of musculoskeletal disorders, types of road, and number
of years driving three wheels were significant factors for developing musculoskeletal
disorders among three wheel drivers in the study area. Therefore, due attention needed
from concerned bodies in order to tackle these problems.
