Abstract

This study investigated the ergonomic, occupational and socioeconomic factors influencing the WMSDs among construction workers in Nigeria. A convergent mixed method design was used. A total of 210 construction workers were sampled from the selected sites and a structured questionnaire containing the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection; however, the key workers and supervisors were 20, who were purposively selected for qualitative data collection using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests and logistic regression were used to analyse quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. Overall, 68% of those surveyed indicated the presence of WMSD symptoms in the last 12 months, with the lowest back area (50%) and shoulders (42%) being the most commonly affected areas. Some postures, heavy lifting, vibration exposure, lack of ergonomic training and job stress were strong predictors for WMSDs. Interview data also revealed that long working hours, lack of sleep, production pressure, insecurity and economic necessity prompted the workers to continue working even though they had complained of pain. The study suggests that WMSDs in Nigerian construction workers are multi-factorial, the outcome of interaction of physical exposure, work organisation and socioeconomic vulnerability. Therefore, prevention is not only a question of prevalence, but should be integrated rather than based on ergonomic and organisational and social interventions.