KARAKTERISTIK INDIVIDU DAN KELUHAN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS PADA PETANI: STUDI EKSPLORATIF MENGGUNAKAN ANALISIS NONPARAMETRIK

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common occupational health problems among farmers due to prolonged physical activities and repetitive movements. This study aimed to explore the association between individual characteristics and MSD complaints among farmers using nonparametric statistical methods. A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted involving 30 farmers selected through purposive sampling. The variables included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and working experience, while MSD complaints in the neck, back, and lower back were assessed using an ordinal scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondents' characteristics. The Kruskal–Wallis test examined differences in MSD complaints across age, BMI, and working-experience groups, whereas the Mann–Whitney U test compared complaints between genders. Significant differences were observed across age groups for neck (p = 0.047), back (p = 0.018), and lower back complaints (p = 0.018), with epsilon-squared effect sizes ranging from 0.332 to 0.413. In contrast, BMI, working experience, and gender showed no significant associations (p > 0.05). These findings provide preliminary evidence of an association between age and MSD complaints among farmers. Given the small sample size, the findings are exploratory and should not be broadly generalized.