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Cited by 182Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal DisordersOccupational Health and PerformanceMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 69 of the 70 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Domestic water carrying and its implications for health: a review and mixed methods pilot study in Limpopo Province, South Africa

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Geere, Jo-Anne L, Hunter, Paul R, Jagals, Paul·2010·Environmental Health
DOI 10.1186/1476-069x-9-52PMC PMC2939590
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lack of access to safe water remains a significant risk factor for poor health in developing countries. There has been little research into the health effects of frequently carrying containers of water. The aims of this study were to better understand how domestic water carrying is performed, identify potential health risk factors and gain insight into the possible health effects of the task. METHODS: Mixed methods of data collection from six were used to explore water carrying performed by people in six rural villages of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and through observation and measurement. Linear regression modelling were used to identify significant correlations between potential risk factors and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) or self reported pain. Independent t-tests were used to compare the mean values of potential risk factors and RPE between sub-groups reporting pain and those not reporting pain. RESULTS: Water carrying was mainly performed by women or children carrying containers on their head (mean container weight 19.5 kg) over a mean distance of 337 m. The prevalence of spinal (neck or back) pain was 69% and back pain was 38%. Of participants who carried water by head loading, the distance walked by those who reported spinal pain was significantly less than those who did not (173 m 95%CI 2-343; p = 0.048). For head loaders reporting head or neck pain compared to those who did not, the differences in weight of water carried (4.6 kg 95%CI -9.7-0.5; p = 0.069) and RPE (2.5 95%CI -5.1-0.1; p = 0.051) were borderline statistically significant. For head loaders, RPE was significantly correlated with container weight (r = 0.52; p = 0.011) and incline (r = 0.459; p = 0.018) CONCLUSIONS: Typical water carrying methods impose physical loading with potential to produce musculoskeletal disorders and related disability. This exploratory study is limited by a small sample size and future research should aim to better understand the type and strength of association between water carrying and health, particularly musculoskeletal disorders. However, these preliminary findings suggest that efforts should be directed toward eliminating the need for water carrying, or where it must continue, identifying and reducing risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and physical injury.

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Crossref · 10.1186/1476-069x-9-52

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Figures

Figure 1 Typical container used for carrying water.
Figure 1 Typical container used for carrying water.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Scatter plot showing a strong correlation between force due to weight of water against age of children head-loading containers.
Figure 2 Scatter plot showing a strong correlation between force due to weight of water against age of children head-loading containers.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Communal tap and concrete surround.
Figure 3 Communal tap and concrete surround.CC BY · PubMed Central

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Show all 70 references

Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Bradshaw D, Nannan N: Mortality and morbidity among women and children. South African Health Review. Edited by: Ijumba P, Padarath A. 2006, Durban: Health Systems Trust
  2. Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Getting to grips with manual handling. U.K. 2007
  3. Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace. U.K. 2002

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Metadata

Authors
Geere, J.-A. L., Hunter, P. R., & Jagals, P.
Affiliations
  • University of East Anglia (GB)
  • Tshwane University of Technology (ZA)
Corresponding author
Hunter, Paul R
ORCID
Venue
Environmental Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2010-08-26
Volume
9
Issue
1
Pages
52-52
ISSN
1476-069X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/1476-069x-9-52
PMC
PMC2939590
OpenAlex
W2121916445
Cited by
182
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 5
FWCI
7.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Environmental Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Water Research Commission
  • Tshwane University of Technology
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Human Factors and Ergonomics › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Occupational Health and Performance
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Keywords
water carrying, musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, neck pain, perceived exertion, physical workload, women and children, rural villages, Limpopo Province, safe water access
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Back Pain, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena, Pilot Projects, Risk Factors, South Africa, Water, Weight Lifting, Neck Pain, Young Adult

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