Características ocupacionais, fatores sociodemográficos e variáveis antropométricas e sua relação com dor musculoesquelética em trabalhadores rurais.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the main causes of functional disability in rural areas, where workers are exposed to occupational risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to identify the frequency and associated factors of musculoskeletal pain among rural workers in the southern and central regions of the Vale do Rio Pardo. Methods: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 112 individuals aged between 18 and 65 years. Sociodemographic data, lifestyle, self-reported health, body composition through bioimpedance, and handgrip strength were collected. Pain was classified according to its presence and the affected body region. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 23.0), applying the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student’s t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The results showed that 75% of participants reported musculoskeletal pain, with a predominance in two or more body regions (43.8%). A high prevalence of physical inactivity (67%), lack of resistance training (80.4%) and stretching exercises (50.9%), and elevated medication use (65.2%) were observed. No statistically significant differences were found between pain and the analyzed variables, although a trend toward higher adiposity was noted among individuals with pain. Workers reporting pain also indicated slightly shorter daily work hours. Conclusion: It is concluded that musculoskeletal pain is prevalent among rural workers and is associated with physical inactivity, potentially affecting work capacity. These findings highlight the importance of health promotion, including preventive physiotherapy and encouragement of physical activity; however, further studies are needed.