Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Various Occupational Workers in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are one of the most common occupational diseases, affecting various sectors such as agriculture, small-scale industries, handicrafts, construction, and banking. These disorders, caused by overexertion and repetitive motion, lead to work absenteeism, productivity loss, and economic impacts. The aim of the study is to determine the magnitude of musculoskeletal disorders among different occupational workers in India.

Material and methods: We identified studies reporting the prevalence of WMSDs using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire in different databases between 2005 and 2023 through searches on SCOPUS, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar. The required information was then extracted. A random effect model was used to pool estimates of prevalence with 95% CI. Publication bias was assessed by applying funnel plots.

Results: The 12-months prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) were reported across several occupational groups, the meta or the pooled prevalence was estimated as 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70 to 0.82) along with substantial variability in the prevalence estimates between different industries and studies. The meta-prevalence for low back pain (LBP) was estimated as 0.60 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.66). The meta-prevalence for Neck Pain was estimated as 0.40 (95% CI: 0.34 to 0.47) while for Shoulder Pain, it was estimated as 0.36 (95% CI: 0.30 to 0.42), respectively. The risk of Bias was statistically non-significant and overall publication bias remains low as per visual inspections from funnel plot.

Conclusions: WMSDs are prevalent across various Indian industries in significant proportion, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and mining, leading to significant productivity loss and economic impact. The variation in prevalence highlights the need for sector-specific interventions. Addressing WMSDs requires comprehensive ergonomic and policy measures. Effective strategies are essential to mitigate these disorders' widespread impact.