Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) in Agriculture: Physical Risk Factors Dominate in Female Workers

Abstract

The prevalence of symptoms of the neck, shoulders and arms of any duration and severity, indicated by RSI, was investigated in female workers of 3 different agricultural branches. RSI prevalence varied from 22% in pig farming to 61–65% in mushroom and flowering culture. Physical workload factors that are known to be risk factors for RSI were different for the 3 groups. The groups also differed with respect to psychosocial workload and personal risk factors, but these differences were less pronounced. The combined data of the 3 groups were analysed. Each of the risk factors on a one-by-one basis correlated with the prevalence of symptoms. Multivariate analysis demonstrated only the physical load factors ‘repetitive movements with hands, arms or neck’, ‘prolonged static activity of hands, arms or neck‘, and ‘force exertion by hands or arms’ correlated significantly and positively with the prevalence of RSI. Model predictions showed a linear relation between the probability of having RSI and subgroups of increasing repetitiveness. The predictions appeared to correspond fairly well with the actual prevalence of RSI in these subgroups. An increase in repetitiveness in combination with an increase in force was shown to result in a disproportional increase in probability of having RSI, except for the highest group of repetitiveness. It is concluded that physical workload factors dominate in the relation between work and RSI in agriculture if multiple branches are considered simultaneously. Given the limitation of only 3 branches included yet and only women involved, it is stated that both research and prevention strategies should be directed towards modifying combined physical workload.