Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Psychosocial Factors, Work Productivity, and Work Ability Among Garment Factory Workers in Myanmar

The global burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) is the second most common cause of disability worldwide, usually back pain, measured by years lived with disability (YLDs). The magnitude of WRMSDs is worsened by physical and psychological factors in different occupations. Sewing machine operators are occupational workers who commonly encounter a high prevalence of WRMSDs. This study aimed to find the associations among the working ability, productivity status, psychosocial factors, and WRMSDs of sewing machine operators in garment factories in Myanmar. A cross-sectional study enrolled 370 sewing operators from Shwepaukkan Industrial Zone in Myanmar. WRMSDs in at least one part of the body were reported among 347 workers (93.8%). A moderate ability rate was found for 66.5%, followed by poor ability at 18.4%. The logistic regression model showed that gender (AOR = 0.130; 95%CI 0.020–0.969), job stress (AOR = 8.257; 95%CI 1.465– 46.550), physical demand (AOR = 4.702; 95%CI 1.172–18.862), and productivity (AOR = 5.893; 95%CI 1.393–24.920) were significant predictors of WRMSD. This finding can help to guide the improvement of the working situations of sewing operators in garment factories and help to develop regulations for the well-being of workers in occupational health sectors.