Musculoskeletal pain and cardiovascular risk in Hispanic/Latino meatpacking workers.

Details

• Personal Author:
  Carvajal-Suarez M ; Johnson-Beller R ; Pozehl B ; Quintero SA ; Ramos AK ; Rowland SA ; Struwe L ; Trinidad N
• Description:
  Background: Most meatpacking workers have pain affecting their back, arms, and/or wrists from work-related repetitive motions, forceful exertion, and awkward positioning. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is associated with obesity, hypertension, type II diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Hispanic/Latino workers in the meatpacking industry are a vulnerable population; limited English, lack of health insurance, and fear of deportation often deter them from seeking care where preventable cardiovascular risks might be detected. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived health and actual cardiovascular risk among Hispanic/Latino meatpacking workers with musculoskeletal pain in Nebraska. Methods: Structured interviews were used to examine perceived health, awareness of cardiometabolic risk, and capacity for health self-management. Body mass index (BMI), lipids, blood pressure, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and cardiorespiratory fitness (step test) were used to examine cardiovascular risk. Findings: Of those interviewed (n = 39), musculoskeletal pain affected usual life activities in 64% (n = 25) of participants. Of those tested (n = 30), 93% (n = 28) had a BMI > 30 kg/m2, 86% (n = 26) had at least one lipid abnormality, 50% (n = 15) had blood pressure > 120/80 mm Hg, and 43% (n = 13) had an HbA1c > 5.7%. Males had greater fitness than females (p = .03), but also greater lifetime risk of heart attack or stroke compared with females (p = .02). Conclusion/Application to Practice: In this sample, cardiovascular risk exceeded that found in the general Hispanic population in the United States. Occupational health nurses can assist workers to be aware of their risk by measuring and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate education on blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and HbA1c. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular System Food Industry Healthcare Disparities Health Promotion Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Meatpacking; Occupational Health; Hispanic/Latino; Musculoskeletal Pain; Cardiovascular Risk Meat Packing Industry; Musculoskeletal Disorders; MSD; Repetitive Work; Posture; Health Disparities; Cardiovascular Disease; Obesity; Occupational Health Nursing; Health Promotion;
• ISSN:
  2165-0799
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Nebraska ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  69
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064773
• Citation:
  Workplace Health Saf 2021 Dec; 69(12):556-563
• Contact Point Address:
  Sheri A. Rowland, PhD, APRN-BC FNP, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, 550 N. 19th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0620, USA
• Email:
  sheri.rowland@unmc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Nebraska Medical Center - Omaha
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20110901
• Source Full Name:
  Workplace Health & Safety
• End Date:
  20270831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:ee1f33b3c75c8a221e1658c471ea2b2f82cd3ee94e95fa84c875c20ae03908178a293f7962457d8659dd1d0147ac32a6dc5dd7c9f3400d17f7215613af9be16c
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/249230/cdc_249230_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 379.20 KB ]