Factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among professional auto-drivers in Udupi district, Karnataka.

Title of the project: Factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among

professional auto-drivers in Udupi district, Karnataka

Aims & objectives:

AIM: To determine the factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders among auto drivers in Udupi district, Karnataka.

OBJECTIVES:

• To identify the factors causing WMSDs among auto drivers.
• To assess the prevalence of WMSDs among auto-drivers in the Udupi district, Karnataka.
• To profile the involved joints causing WMSDs among auto-drivers.

Study period: 8 months - July 2024 to March 2025

Sample size:

At 5% level of significance with an anticipated prevalence of 50% (p) and a margin of error 5% (d), the minimum sample size required to identify the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among auto- drivers in Udupi district, Karnataka is

𝐧=#𝐙 𝟐 (𝐩)(𝟏�’𝐩) %𝐢.𝐞.𝐧=(𝟏.𝟗𝟔)𝟐 (𝟎.𝟓)(𝟏�’𝟎.𝟓)%=�’𝟖𝟓 �’�%# 𝟐

𝟏"𝟐 𝐝 # (𝟎.𝟎𝟓)𝟐

However, the population size is presently anticipated to be 650. Incorporating the finite population correction, 20% drop-out, we have.

𝐬𝐬 = #(�’𝟖𝟓)(𝟔𝟓𝟎) % = #𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟐𝟓𝟎 = : (𝐧)(𝐍) < = 𝟐�’𝟐 ~𝟐𝟖�’ �’𝟖𝟓+(𝟔�’𝟗) 𝟏𝟎�’�’ % 𝐧+(𝐍�’𝟏) 𝟎.𝟖𝟓 The sample size required for the study is 284 auto-drivers.

Methods: Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

• Age–18to65years
• Working duration: 8 hours and above
• Ability to read and write

Exclusion criteria:

• Previous injuries or trauma, such as, slip or fall accidents unrelated to professional driving duties.
• Congenital musculoskeletal abnormalities and prior limb surgery.
• Other neurological and orthopedic conditions.

Statistical methods:

0. • Statistical analysis will be conducted using JAMOVI software (v2.3). • Frequency tables and percentages will assess musculoskeletal disorder risk prevalence among auto-drivers. Descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, median, and interquartile range will be used for quantitative variables, adjusting for skewness. • Parametric tests like independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA will compare musculoskeletal disorder risks among auto-drivers in Udupi district, Karnataka, across socio-demographic groups. Non-parametric tests will be used if normality and variance homogeneity assumptions

are violated. Correlation and logistic regression will explore socio-demographic factors’ impact on outcome variables.

Tools used: Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire

• Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) (Kuorinka et al., 1987) is a validated and reliable

tool, suitable to use in epidemiologic studies.

• The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire used to ascertain the musculoskeletal symptom-

related information of the industrial workers fared well by having kappa values of 0.40 to 0.85

or greater, which is good to excellent.

• Along with being repeatable and sensitive, it is also a standardized, recognized, convenient,

and cost-effective form of test.

• NMQ contains 2 sections, a general questionnaire having 40 items, body map, supplementary

questions and functional impacts due to the musculoskeletal difficulties.

Procedure:

• After CTRI registration and approval, Union leaders will recruit participants based on screening criteria, distributing consent forms for completion either at the association office or auto stands in Manipal and Udupi. Participants agreeing to join will complete the questionnaire in 15-20 minutes.

• Any queries will be addressed with the investigator’s assistance. • Data collection will continue until the desired sample size is achieved.

• Subsequently, data analysis, dissertation writing, submission, manuscript preparation, and submission to a suitable journal will follow.