ANALISIS KELUHAN MUSKULOSKELETAL PADA PEKERJA PACKING DI INDUSTRI MAKANAN BEKU KUE TAIYAKI JEPANG

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common occupational health problems caused by non-ergonomic postures and repetitive activities. Each year, more than 2.3 million workers die due to occupational accidents and work-related diseases, including musculoskeletal disorders. Such conditions were also observed in a frozen Japanese Taiyaki cake production industry in Indonesia, particularly among packing workers who stand for long periods and perform repetitive tasks such as lifting, bending, and arranging products into packages. These activities are suspected to increase the risk of MSDs. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among packing workers in the frozen food industry. Method: A cross-sectional study design was applied, involving 75 workers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a validated Nordic Body Map (NBM) questionnaire along with respondents’ demographic and occupational characteristics. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. Results: The results showed a prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints of 62.7%, with the most affected body regions being the lower back (40%), shoulders (26.7%), and neck (20%). Chi-square analysis revealed that working duration of ?8 hours per day (p = 0.001) and work tenure of >5 years (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with MSDs, while age and gender showed no significant relationship. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of MSDs among packing workers in the frozen food industry was relatively high, with working duration and length of employment identified as the main contributing factors. Ergonomic interventions such as work schedule adjustments, task rotation, and active stretching programs are recommended to reduce musculoskeletal complaints.