Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Science, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Movement Science and Exercise Research Center-Walailak University (MoveSE-WU), Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
PeerJ. 2024 Sep 30;12:e18079. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18079. eCollection 2024.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are frequently observed among market vendors, and engaging in health risk behaviors can exacerbate these issues, leading to various health problems. Common health risk behaviors among market vendors include alcohol consumption and insufficient physical activity. However, there is currently a lack of research examining the prevalence of WRMDs and health risk behaviors among market vendors in Bangkok. Furthermore, the emerging trend of drug misuse within this group remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore the prevalence of muscle pain and flexibility issues and assess health risk behaviors, including alcohol consumption, inadequate exercise, and drug misuse, among market vendors.
A mixed-method study was undertaken among 213 market vendors in Bangkok. Data collection utilized direct observation techniques, questionnaires, and muscle flexibility tests. Qualitative data were elucidated and showcased through textual descriptions and quotations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to present numerical and percentage values.
Qualitative findings revealed that market vendors often engage in static muscular work and maintain awkward postures due to their job characteristics and workstation setups. Quantitatively, the right arm was the most common pain region (34.7%), followed by the left leg (31.0%), right leg (30.0%), and left arm (28.6%). Additionally, 64.3% of participants showed poor muscle flexibility. The study also found that 35% of market vendors resorted to alcohol and 11.7% to drug misuse to cope with fatigue and prevent adverse symptoms. Moreover, 68.5% of participants reported no regular exercise due to lack of time.
The study highlights the prevalence of musculoskeletal issues among market vendors, largely attributed to static muscular work and awkward postures dictated by their job roles and workstation arrangements. The right arm emerged as the most commonly affected area, followed by the left leg, right leg, and left arm, with significant rates of reported pain. The research also points to a notable lack of muscle flexibility in a majority of vendors and a concerning tendency towards alcohol and drug misuse as coping mechanisms for fatigue and symptom management. Furthermore, a significant portion of the vendors do not participate in regular exercise, primarily due to time constraints. These findings can be used to implement health prevention programs within the market vendor group.
与工作相关的肌肉骨骼疾病（WRMD）在摊贩中经常发生，而从事健康风险行为会使这些问题恶化，导致各种健康问题。摊贩常见的健康风险行为包括饮酒和缺乏体育锻炼。然而，目前缺乏研究调查曼谷摊贩的 WRMD 和健康风险行为的流行情况。此外，该群体中新兴的药物滥用趋势仍了解甚少。本研究旨在探讨曼谷摊贩肌肉疼痛和柔韧性问题的流行情况，并评估包括饮酒、运动不足和药物滥用在内的健康风险行为。
采用混合方法对曼谷的 213 名摊贩进行研究。数据收集采用直接观察技术、问卷调查和肌肉柔韧性测试。定性数据通过文字描述和引用来阐明和展示。定量数据采用描述性统计进行分析，以呈现数值和百分比值。
定性研究结果表明，摊贩由于工作特点和工作站设置，经常从事静态肌肉工作和保持不自然的姿势。定量研究发现，右臂是最常见的疼痛部位（34.7%），其次是左腿（31.0%）、右腿（30.0%）和左臂（28.6%）。此外，64.3%的参与者肌肉柔韧性较差。研究还发现，35%的摊贩通过饮酒和 11.7%的摊贩通过药物滥用来应对疲劳和预防不良症状。此外，68.5%的参与者因缺乏时间而不进行定期锻炼。
该研究强调了摊贩中肌肉骨骼问题的普遍性，主要归因于他们的工作角色和工作站安排导致的静态肌肉工作和不自然姿势。右臂是最常见的疼痛部位，其次是左腿、右腿和左臂，大多数报告有疼痛。研究还指出，大多数摊贩的肌肉柔韧性明显较差，并且存在明显的饮酒和药物滥用倾向，作为应对疲劳和症状管理的应对机制。此外，由于时间限制，很大一部分摊贩不参加定期锻炼。这些发现可用于在摊贩群体中实施健康预防计划。
