Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), the influence of the WMSDs on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to identify the differences of WMSDs and HRQoL between greenhouse farmers and paddy
farmers.
Methods: Subjects were 34 greenhouse farmers and 56 paddy farmers who were living in a rural community. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior working characteristics, WMSDs and HRQoL were
investigated. WMSDs symptoms were measured by a self-assessed questionnaire on musculoskeletal disorders symptoms and HRQoL was measured by the Euro Quality of Life(Euroqol) EQ-5D index. The differences on the WMSDs, EQ-5D and it's related factors between the groups were assessed 2 with t-test and χ-test.
Results: Greenhouse farmers were longer the working hours per day and working duration than paddy farmers. The level of prevalence of the WMSDs in greenhouse farmers is higher than in paddy farmers. The EQ-5D index of greenhouse farmers and paddy farmers were 0.819 and 0.874, respectively. Overall, the mean value of EQ-5D index was significantly lower greenhouse
farmers than paddy farmers.
Conclusions: These results showed that the HRQoL for farmers are strongly influenced by WMSDs and agicultural type in that we are aware of the need to comply with regulations of WMSDs, especially greenhouse farmers.