4. DISCUSSION
4.1. Interpretation of Results and Qualitative
Findings
Prior to the intervention, although both IG and CG
were homogeneous in terms of socio-demographic
background and occupational exposure, there was
significant difference of self-reported prevalence of
neck, feet (in the past 2 months) and elbow (in the past 7
days) disorders between both groups. However, the
differences of the prevalence diminishes in the
subsequent Post-1-Int and Post-2-Int assessment.
Contradict to our hypothesis (that the intervention
would significantly decreased self-reported prevalence
of MSDs in the IG), the results of the analysis shows
that there were no significant difference of the selfreported
prevalence of MSD between both groups.
Neither IG nor CG reported significantly higher
prevalence of MSDs in any body parts than each other
for both duration of self-reported prevalence.
In further contradiction to our hypothesis,
comparison within IG revealed that the self-reported
prevalence of lower back (in the past 2 months), neck,
upper back, arms and thigh (in the past 7 days) increased
significantly at the end of the follow-up period instead of
decreasing. Similarly within the CG, there were also
significantly higher self-reported prevalence of arms
disorder and total MSD in the past 7 days.
Considering the outcome of action checklist
implementation, the findings of the self-reported MSD
were justified as participants did not agree on
proposing changes for the items of the checklist which
reduces ergonomics risk factors, specifically of the
postural, biomechanical and excessive manual
handling exposures. Hence, the ergonomics risk
factors remain un-intervened.
Subsequent followed-up interviews with the
participants reveal that the items in the checklist was in
fact counter-productive to the piece-rate system as the
harvesters were being paid correspondingly as was also
reported by Yu et al. (2012). In our study, harvesters
were being paid based on the total weight of daily
harvested Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) divided equally
within the members of the group assigned to a fixed area.
In an example, if transported load of FFBs in
wheelbarrow were to be reduced (to reduce forceful
exertion during pushing), the frequency of collecting
FFBs on the same route to collection point will have to
be increase whereas current practices will require them
to collect the FFB passing through the route only once by
overloading the wheelbarrow.