Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The online delivery executives concerned with doorstep delivery of commodities are highly vulnerable to Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) because of their job designs. The present study evaluates the prevalence of WRMSDs among 103 online delivery executives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study entails 39 online food delivery executives (FDE), 38 goods delivery executives (DE) and 26 rapid delivery executives (RDE) as experimental groups. 36 sedentary male clerical employees were also recruited as control group (CG) for comparison of WRMSDs to online delivery executives. For evaluating WRMSDs, Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered. For statistical analysis one way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc analysis was performed. Pearson's correlation coefficient and simple linear regression analysis were performed to establish the relationship between work experience, work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scores of the studied groups. For postural analysis, OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysis System) was implemented. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Significant differences in body weight, body mass index (BMI), work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average BPD (Body Part Discomfort) scores existed between experimental and CG. Significant correlations were evident between work experience, work duration, load lifted, lifting frequency and average BPD scores in experimental groups. OWAS scores disclosed that experimental groups were more prone to WRMSDs than CG. CONCLUSION: The study infers that delivery executives are extremely prone to WRMSDs on account of their occupational factors.