The Relationship Between Work Posture and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Pottery Craftsmen (Study in Gedangan Village, Maduran District, Lamongan Regency)

Abstract

The WHO (2022) reports that 1.71 billion people worldwide suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), contributing to 17% of Years Lived with Disability (YLDs). MSD risk is higher among informal sector workers, including pottery artisans. Preliminary surveys and local health worker information show 60% of pottery artisans in Gedangan Village experience lower back and neck pain. Objective: To analyze the relationship between work posture and musculoskeletal disorders among pottery artisans in Gedangan Village, Maduran District, Lamongan Regency. Methods: Quantitative observational analysis using a cross-sectional approach on 92 pottery craftsmen. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire were used, tested using Kendall's Tau statistics. Results: Most craftsmen had work postures with high ergonomic risk (84.78%). 84.74% were in the high-risk category (RULA score 7). Nearly half of musculoskeletal disorders were at moderate risk (45.7%), with most complaints in the left leg (95.65%), buttocks (94.57%), and waist (93.48%). Kendall's Tau test yielded a coefficient of -0.433 with p=0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a significant relationship between work posture and musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between work posture and musculoskeletal disorders in pottery craftsmen, requiring efforts to improve work posture, stretching education, and rest time management.