Musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among heavy load carriers in Yaounde city, Cameroon.

. This study assessed musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their correlates among heavy load carriers in Yaounde city, Cameroon. . A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 301 healthy male handlers. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence while logistic regression was performed to determine associated factors. . MSD prevalence was 100 and 87.7% during the last 12 months and 7 days, respectively. Main sites affected were, respectively, the lower back (84.1 and 61.1%), hips/thighs (81.1 and 47.2%) and neck (74.7 and 43.2%). MSD risk factors were age 25-30 years during the last 12 months (odds ratio [] = 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-1.2, 6.5]) and 7 days ( = 4.2; 95% CI [-1.7, 10.7]) for the neck and the last 12 months ( = 2.6; 95% CI [-1.1, 5.8]) for shoulders. Overweight was a risk factor for wrists/hands in the last 12 months ( = 2.7; 95% CI [-11.0, 7.2]). Seniority of 5-10 years was a risk factor for the lower back ( = 1.8; 95% CI [-1.0, 3.3]) and hips/thighs ( = 3.2; 95% CI [-1.7, 5.8]) in the last 7 days. . Handlers showed high MSD prevalence in most sites, e.g., lower back, upper back, hips/thighs, shoulders and neck. Associated significant factors were age, overweight and seniority.