PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISCOMFORTS AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA
Abstract
Agricultural tasks can be considered some of the most demanding and hazardous, especially in developing countries where crop production relies heavily on manual implements. Weeding, one of the common agricultural activities performed by farmers, requires a significant amount of physical effort and often involves awkward wrist and trunk postures, subjecting farmers to multiple risk factors that can result in musculoskeletal discomfort. In this study, a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches is used to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions among rural peasant farmers in Jigawa, a state in northwestern Nigeria. The results of this study indicate that lower back pain, upper back pain, and wrist/hand pain are the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions experienced by peasant farmers who are exposed to intensive manual farming operations.
References
Mulyati, G., Maksum, M., Purwantana, B., & Ainuri, M. (2019). Ergonomic risk identification for rice harvesting worker. The 3rd International Symposium on Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering (pp. 1 - 8). IOP Publishing Ltd. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/355/1/012032
Abubakar, M. I., & Qian, W. (2019). Key human Factors and their effects on human centered assembly systems. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Vol. 69, 48-57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2018.09.009
Adewole, N. A. (2018). HUMAN FACTORS IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR – LESSONS. National Ergonomics and Human Factor Conference (pp. 1 - 10). Lagos: Ergonomics Society of Nigeria.
Benos, L., Dimitrios , T., & Bochtis, D. (2020). A Review on Ergonomics in Agriculture. Part I: Manual Operations. Applied Sciences, Vol. 10, 1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app10061905
Chen, C.-T. (2001). A fuzzy approach to selecting the location of the distribution centre. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, Vol. 118, 65-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0114(98)00459-X
Chou, S.-Y., Chang, Y.-H., & Shen, C.-Y. (2008). A fuzzy simple additive weighting system under group decision making for facility selection with objective/subjective attributes. European Journal Operation Research, Vol. 189, 132-145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2007.05.006
Das, B., & Gangopadhyayb, S. (2010). An ergonomics evaluation of posture related discomfort and occupational health problems among rice farmers. Occupational Ergonomics, Vol. 10, 25-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/OER-2011-0190
Fan, Z.-P., Hu, G.-F., & Xiao, S.-H. (2004). A method for multi attribute decision making with the fuzzy preference relationship. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 321-327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2003.12.011
Garg, A., Moore, J. S., & Kapellusch, J. M. (2017). The Revised Strain Index: an improved upper extremity exposure assessment. Ergonomics, VOL. 60, ( 7), 912–922. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2016.1237678
Govindaraju, M., Pennathur, A., & Mital, A. (2001). Quality improvement in manufacturing through human performance enhancement. Integrated Manufacturing Systems, 360-367. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005713
Helander, M. (2006). A guide to human factors and ergonomics (2nd ed.). United State of America: CRC Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/b12385
Ismail, S., Adogbeji, V., Kuye, S., Ola, I., & Banmeke, T. (2013). Energy Demand For Making Mounds Using Manual Hoe. ANNALS OF FACULTY ENGINEERING HUNEDOARA – International Journal Of Engineering, 121-124.
Jigawa State. (2023, April 23). Retrieved from Jigawa State Web site:https://en.wikipedia.org/Jigawa State.
Laarhoven, P., & Pedrycz, N. (1983). A fuzzy extension of Saaty's priority theory. Fuzzy sets and systems, Vol.11(3), 229-241. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0114(83)80082-7
Mikhailov, L. (2000). A fuzzy programming method for driving priorities in the analytic hierarchy process. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, Vol. 134(3), 365-385. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0114(02)00383-4
Odefadehan,, O. (2017). Implications Of Manual Farming On The Health Of Rural Farmers In Ifedore Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Development Studies (IJADS), Vol. 2(2), 2017.
Olowogbon, T. S., Babatunde, R. O., Edward , A., & Yoder, A. M. (2021). Prevalence and Exposure to Ergonomic Risk Factors among Crop Farmers in Nigeria. Appl. Sci., Vol. 11, 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411989
Ominikari, A. G., & Wasini, D. A. (2022). RURAL FARMERS’ ATTITUDE TO INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SHARING FOR SELECTED LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA. FUDMA Journal of Sciences (FJS), 98-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2022-0605-1101
Sanders, M. S., & McCormick, E. J. (1992). Human factors in engineering and design. Singapore: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Zink, K. J. (2006). Human factors, management, and society. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, Vol. 7(4), 437-445 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14639220500077346
Copyright (c) 2023 FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
FUDMA Journal of Sciences
