Work-related Musculoskeletal Pain Among Factory Workers in Kigali: Prevalence and Coping Strategies

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a prevalent concern among factory workers, impacting productivity, absenteeism, and overall quality of life. Factory workers, who perform repetitive tasks and engage in physically demanding work, are particularly susceptible to work-related MSP. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study included 148 factory workers (29 females and 119 males) from two factories in Kigali, surveyed between November 2023 and January 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included demographic items, the Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (M-NMQ) to assess work-related musculoskeletal pain (MSP) symptoms in nine body regions over the previous 12 months and seven days, and questions regarding interference of symptoms with normal work activities. The Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) was administered to identify coping practices among factory workers. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics, including mean, frequency, Wilson 95% confidence intervals, and percentage values, calculated using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Participants were predominantly male (119/148, 80.4%), and 98/148 (66.2%) had worked at the factory for more than five years. Overall, 113/148 reported symptoms in at least one body region during the previous 12 months (76.4%, 95% CI 68.9-82.5). The lower back (90/148, 60.8%), shoulders (71/148, 48.0%), neck (61/148, 41.2%), and knees (58/148, 39.2%) were most frequently affected. Symptoms prevented normal work for 41/148 (27.7%, 95% CI 21.1-35.4), and 57/148 reported symptoms during the previous seven days (38.5%, 95% CI 31.1-46.5). Among 113 participants with 12-month symptoms, the most frequent Always responses were seeking medical help (78/113, 69.0%), rest and recovery (75/113, 66.4%), and medication use (59/113, 52.2%); ergonomic adjustment was least frequent (10/113, 8.8%). Conclusion: Self-reported work-related MSP symptoms were common, particularly in the lower back and shoulder, while ergonomic adjustments were uncommon. Frequent medication use highlights the need for comprehensive interventions combining ergonomic training, physiotherapy, and adequate recovery; however, these findings do not establish causation or intervention effectiveness.