[Musculoskeletal symptoms among female workers in fish-fillet plant who ceased or continued working.].

OBJECTIVE

An earlier study of workers in fish-filleting plants in Iceland showed high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms of the upper limbs is higher after introduction of the flow-line since the women have a longer duration with repetitive tasks. The overall aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among women working at the flow-line with symptoms among those who had ceased to work there and to throw some light on the selection process of workers from this industry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The standardised Nordic Questionnaire was used. Lists of names and addresses of the plant workers were obtained from plant management. Questionnaires were mailed to the home addresses of the workers. The overall participation rate was 71%. Two hundred eighty two women aged 16-54 answered where 28 women had left the plants after answering the questionnaires and 254 were still working there. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used and stratified by age and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated.

RESULTS

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms during the previous 12 months was higher among former than current workers. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio for symptoms of the fingers, ankles and wrists hindering normal work during the previous 12 months prior to the study was 7.1 (95% CI 2.8-18.0), 5.3 (95% CI 1.3-21.5) and 3.4 (95% CI 1.3-8.8) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The selection process of workers from the fish-processing plants may be determined by the high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, a healthy worker selection. There may be a causal relationship between musculoskeletal symptoms and ceasing to work at fish-processing plants.