Postural Risk and Occupational Factors Associated with Musculoskeletal Pain: Evidence From Gaziantep
Keywords:
Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal disorders, Occupational health, Reba, Work environmentAbstract
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate ergonomic risk factors, postural load, and their relationship with musculoskeletal pain among workers in industrial and food sectors in Gaziantep.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 105 workers employed in industrial (textile, yarn, dye) and food sectors (bakery, baklava production, kebab). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, occupational exposure, and lifestyle factors. Postural risk was evaluated using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method. Pain severity was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and sleep duration was recorded. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed.
Results: Workers were exposed to high levels of ergonomic risk factors, including repetitive hand use (89.5%), bending movements (76.2%), and prolonged standing (68.6%). The mean REBA score indicated a moderate ergonomic risk (7.08 ± 2.27). Regression analysis showed that work environment (β = 0.412, p < 0.001) and sleep duration (β = -0.194, p = 0.049) were significant predictors of pain. Pain was positively associated with work environment (r = 0.455, p < 0.01), age (r = 0.243, p < 0.05), and weekly working hours (r = 0.221, p < 0.05), and negatively associated with sleep duration (r = -0.214, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Work environment and sleep duration are key determinants of musculoskeletal pain. These findings highlight the need for multifactorial occupational health interventions addressing both ergonomic conditions and recovery-related factors.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nail Abidin Yaraşır, İbrahim Aziz Gönülalan, Gizem Cağdanlıoğlu, Nur Çelebi, Murat Ali Çınar, Yavuz Yakut
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