Assessment Of Musculoskeletal Disorders And Its Associated Factors Among Three Wheels’ Drivers In Ambo Town, West Shoa, Ethiopia

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.