Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among takeaway riders: Up-to-date evidence in Shanghai, China

Ziyun Li; Xiaochen Bo; Chen Qian; Mingyue Chen; Yuqing Shao; Yuxun Peng; Ruian Cai; Xiaojing Huang; Lijun Wei; Jinzhong Zhao; Jianwei Shi

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.988724

Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among takeaway riders: Up-to-date evidence in Shanghai, China

Front Public Health. 2022 Nov 21:10:988724. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.988724. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Ziyun Li^{1

2}, Xiaochen Bo², Chen Qian², Mingyue Chen², Yuqing Shao², Yuxun Peng², Ruian Cai², Xiaojing Huang³, Lijun Wei⁴, Jinzhong Zhao¹, Jianwei Shi^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sports Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
³ School of Management, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
⁴ Shanghai Minhang Wujing Community Healthcare Center, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of General Practice, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁶ Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common occupational diseases. However, the influencing mechanisms were not clear in the new emerging takeaway rider occupation in the catering industry in China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a takeaway rider sample from one of the largest e-platforms, the Mei Tuan Company in Shanghai. The chi-square test was used to compare the sex differences in MSDs according to various factors. Binary logistic regressions were then performed to explore the potential risk factors for the occurrence and severity of MSDs adjusted by age, sex and vehicle type. Crude odds ratios (CORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for predictors were reported.

Results: The prevalence of MSDs was found to be 54.9% (n = 361). Shoulders (joint pain: 24.5%, n = 154/629 cases; muscle pain: 29.0%, n = 183/632 cases; muscle numbness: 31.7%, n = 120/379 cases) and neck (joint pain: 17.0%, n = 107/629 cases; muscle pain: 14.1%, n = 89/632 cases; muscle numbness: 15.3%, n = 58/379 cases) were the most affected regions. Irregular meals (often having regular meals: p = 0.03, AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.05-3.39; sometimes: p < 0.01, AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.49-4.34 and seldomly: p < 0.01, AOR = 4.24, 95% CI: 2.28-7.91) were positively associated with the occurrence of MSDs. Work-related factors, including working over 5 years (p = 0.02, AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.10-3.17) and over 51 km of food delivery distance per day (51-75 km: p = 0.02, AOR = 2.13, 95CI%:1.13-4.01; ≥76 km: p < 0.01, AOR = 3.12, 95CI%: 1.44-6.77), were strongly associated with severity.

Conclusion: MSDs were common among takeaway riders. Personal lifestyles (meal irregularity) were found to predict the occurrence, while work-related factors (longer years of employment and prolonged food delivery distance) were positively associated with severity. Public health efforts should be made to prevent MSDs in this population.

Keywords: influence; musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); risk factor; takeaway; work-related factors.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arthralgia*
China / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Myalgia*
Risk Factors