Objectives: To describe the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the electronics manufacturing industry and to investigate the relations between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work-related variables.Methods: An interview-based questionnaire survey was carried out in thirty electronics manufacturing factories in China in 2018. The prevalence of WMSDs was estimated using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of risk factors on WMSDs on multiple body parts.Results: The 12-month prevalence of WMSDs among participants was 40.6%, and the common body sites affected were the neck (26.8%), shoulder (22.8%), upper back (14.9%), and lower back (14.8%). The results of logistic regression showed that female adults, > 5 job tenure and work-related factors (including awkward posture, lifting or carrying weights, excessive repetition, prolonged sitting, monotonous work and working under conditions of cold or temperature variations) led to a higher risk of WMSDs on most body parts. Upper back, wrist/hand and elbow pain levels were significantly higher for workers with vibration. However, more frequently, physical exercise was a protective factor against WMSDs on most body parts except the upper back, leg and knee.Conclusions: The study indicates a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among the electronics manufacturing industry in China. Different personal and work factors are related to the occurrence of WMSD on different body parts. Preventive measures should be implemented based on the characteristics of WMSD in the electronic manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the training and intervention guidance of ergonomic hazards in the workplace need to be strengthened by understanding the impact of bad posture, avoiding long-term sitting posture and increasing physical activities.

Background: With the acceleration of industrialization and population aging, low back pain (LBP) has become the leading cause of life loss years caused by disability. Thus, it places a huge economic burden on society and is a global public health problem that needs urgent solution. This study aimed to conduct an epidemiological investigation and research on a large sample of workers in key industries in different regions of China, determine the incidence and distribution characteristics of LBP, explore the epidemic law, and provide a reference basis for alleviating global public health problems caused by LBP.Methods: We adopted a modified epidemiological cross-sectional survey method and a stratified cluster sampling method. All on-duty workers who fulfill the inclusion criteria are taken as the research participants from the representative enterprises in key industries across seven regions: north, east, central, south, southwest, northwest, and northeast China. The Chinese version of the musculoskeletal disease questionnaire, modified by a standardized Nordic questionnaire, was used to collect information, and 57,501 valid questionnaires were received. Descriptive statistics were used, and multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05) was performed to explore the association between musculoskeletal disorders and potential risk factors.Results: LBP annual incidence among workers in China’s key industries is 16.4%. There was a significant difference in LBP incidence among occupational groups across different industries (p < 0.05). The multivariate regression model showed the following as risk factors for LBP: frequent repetitive movements with the trunk, working in the same positions at a high pace, trunk position, frequently turning around with your trunk, often working overtime, lifting heavy loads (i.e., more than 20 kg), education level, staff shortage, working age (years), cigarette smoking, use of vibration tools at work, body mass index, lifting heavy loads (i.e., more than 5 kg), and age (years). Physical exercise, often standing at work, and absolute resting time were protective factors.Conclusion: LBP incidence among key industries and workers in China is high. Thus, it is urgent to take relevant measures according to the individual, occupational, and psychosocial factors of LBP to reduce the adverse impact of LBP on workers’ health.

What is already known about this topic? In recent decades, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have become increasingly prominent and have become an important issue that is of universal concern and an urgent need to be solved in all countries of the world. What is added by this report? The top three industries or occupational groups with the highest standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs were flight attendants, medical staff, and vegetable greenhouses in that order. Women workers were 1.5 times more likely to suffer from WMSDs than men workers. What are the implications for public health practice? This study has found the prevalence and distribution characteristics of WMSDs in key industries in China. It is urgent to draw up relevant measures to prevent and control occupational populations with WMSDs.

Taking action in response to anthropometrics is important to respirator fit. We aimed to investigate the associations between the filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) fit and the head-face dimensions among Chinese people. We used data from 85 volunteers. We focused on fit factors and 8 head-facial dimensions of subjects. The fit factors from 4 respirator models with different protection levels and shapes were measured by a PortaCount® fit tester. Each subject tested four respirator models, for a total of four quantitative fit tests per subject. Passing rate (PR) of each model was determined at fit factor level no less than 100. The data of 85 subjects aged 22–51 yr old were analyzed using χ2 test, one-way ANOVA test, t-test and non-conditional logistic regression model. The PRs for the 4 models were 52.9%, 61.2%, 40.0% and 63.5%, which were significantly different. We found the positive effect of morphological facial length and negative effect of bitragion-submandibular arc on fit factors. This confirms it is necessary to conduct fit test before using a respirator. PRs varied among 4 models regardless of their protection level and shape. Anthropometric dimension of the user, which had effects on FFR fit, should be considered when designing respirator.

What is already known about this topic? Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have a high prevalence and seriously harmful, which has attracted extensive attention in various countries in the world. Currently, the occurrence and rules of WMSDs in key industries are not known in China. What is added by this report? The prevalence of WMSDs is relatively high among professional populations in key industries in China, with the most commonly affected body parts concentrated in neck, shoulders, and low back and increasing with age and working years. What are the implications for public health practice? This study determined the prevalence and distribution characteristics of WMSDs in key industries in China and provided scientific evidence to recommend for inclusion of WMSDs in the new revision of the list of occupational diseases in China.