The prevalence of occupational exposure to ergonomic risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour (ILO) are developing joint estimates of work-related burden disease injury (WHO/ILO Joint Estimates), with contributions from a large network experts. Evidence mechanistic human data suggests that occupational exposure to ergonomic (or physical) risk factors may cause osteoarthritis other musculoskeletal diseases (excluding rheumatoid arthritis, gout, back neck pain). In this paper, we present systematic review meta-analysis prevalence physical for estimating number disability-adjusted life years these attributable factor, development WHO/ILO Estimates. We aimed systematically meta-analyse diseases. searched electronic bibliographic databases potentially relevant records published unpublished studies, including Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CISDOC. also grey literature databases, Internet search engines organizational websites; hand-searched reference list previous reviews included study records; consulted additional working-age (≥15 years) workers in formal informal economy any WHO and/or ILO Member State but excluded children (<15 unpaid domestic workers. was defined as one or more of: force exertion, demanding posture, repetitive movement, hand-arm vibration, kneeling squatting, lifting, climbing. all types an estimate factors. At least two authors independently screened titles abstracts against eligibility criteria at first stage full texts eligible second stage, followed by extraction qualifying studies. combined using random-effect meta-analysis. Two assessed bias quality evidence, ROB-SPEO tool QoE-SPEO approach developed specifically Five studies (three cross-sectional cohort studies) met inclusion criteria, comprising 150,895 participants (81,613 females) 36 countries regions (Africa, Europe). generally questionnaire about self-reported exposure. Estimates presented five disaggregated country, sex, 5-year age group, industrial sector group where feasible. pooled 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.69 0.84, 3 148,433 participants, 35 Europe region, I2 100%, low evidence). Subgroup analyses found no statistically significant differences sex occupation country. No evidence publication bias. body be quality, based on serious concerns due assessment only being self-report indirectness only. Our is highly prevalent. current is, however, limited, especially indirectness. Producing appears evidence-based, effect perhaps used input Protocol identifier: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.09.053. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018102631.