Objectives: The aim of this study was to model associated factors affecting musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), using fuzzy logic in a steel factory in Iran.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on steel industry workers. A 6-part questionnaire was used, consisting of demographic characteristics, occupational stress, work-family conflict, general health, occupational postures, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Pearson correlation was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The prevalence of MSDs for 270 participants in the studied factory was 94.8%. Job stress, work-family conflict, general health, and work posture had a statistically significant relationship with MSDs (P < .05). The fuzzy model demonstrated 23.8% predictability for the actual data of the study. The defuzzification data had significant correlation with real data of MSDs.

Conclusions: The results of this study provided a new perspective about associated factors affecting MSDs and demonstrate that fuzzy logic can be used as a possible tool for evaluating MSDs.

Author keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Fuzzy Logic; Job Stress; Work-Family Conflict; Steel Industry

Author affiliations: MM: Occupational Health Engineering, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; AZ: Occupational Health Engineering, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; AK: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; SH: Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text is available by subscription. Click on the above link and select a publisher from PubMed's LinkOut feature.