Prevalence and Correlates of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Construction Workers at a Building Site in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major occupational concern among construction workers, affecting well-being and productivity.
Objectives: To describe the prevalence and associated factors of WMSDs among construction workers at a building site in Colombo District.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 374 male construction workers selected using stratified random sampling based on job categories. Workers aged ≥18 years with ≥ 6 months of work experience were included. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, work-related factors and musculoskeletal complaints. WMSDs were defined as discomfort or pain within the past month related to occupational tasks. Prevalence was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Logistic regression identified associations between WMSDs and factors such as age, work experience, job category, rest breaks and working hours. A p-value <0.05 considered statistical significance.
Results: Of the 361 respondents, most were aged 26-40 years (38.5%) and predominantly structural workers (55.1%). The prevalence of WMSDs was 59.6% (95% CI: 54.3%, 64.7%), most commonly affecting the neck (27.1%), shoulders (24.6%), upper back (19.7%) and lower back (18.8%). Workers aged 26–40 years were less likely to report shoulder WMSDs (odds ratio (OR)=0.39). Greater work experience (>15 years) was protective for neck (OR=0.43) and shoulder (OR=0.31) WMSDs. Mechanical workers and general labourers had significantly fewer WMSDs than structural workers. Regular rest breaks were protective against WMSDs for neck (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.9), shoulder (AOR=0.7) and lower back (AOR=0.41).
Conclusions & Recommendations: WMSDs are prevalent among construction workers. Ergonomic interventions and promoting regular rest breaks are recommended.