LAUSR

Understanding musculoskeletal disorders and the associated difficulty when performing daily work can inform in-depth research into musculoskeletal disorder risk factors during farm work and lead to creation of interventions to improve rural workers’ quality of life. Objective Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common among farmers, yet associated difficulty during work is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the connection between MSDs and work-related task difficulty in rural Saskatchewan. Methods Rural Saskatchewan farmers and farm workers with history of MSD in the last 5 years (n = 72) participated via an online survey. Results Shoulder MSDs were the most common (75%), followed by neck (65%), knees (61%), and lower back (58%). Many participants reported more than one MSD. Presence of MSDs leads to difficulty in work tasks; for example, difficulty when operating power tools with hands was 8.7 times more likely for those with shoulder MSD. Conclusions MSDs in rural Saskatchewan farmers are associated with greater work task difficulty, and future research into risk factors related to those tasks can guide prevention strategies.