Background and Purpose: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychological stress are both common in health care workers (HCWs). Current research primarily focuses on professional HCWs. However, prevalences of MSDs and psychological stress in home-based female migrant care workers (MCWs) remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to 1) investigate the prevalences of MSDs and psychological stress and associations between subjective questionnaires on MSDs/psychological stress and biomedical examinations, and 2) identify the risk factors related to MSDs and psychological stress, among home-based female MCWs.
Methods: This study recruited 85 MCWs. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Caregiver Strain Index were used to investigate the MSDs and psychological stress, respectively. Information about personal traits and associated risk factors was collected and physical fitness was assessed. Participants also underwent urine analysis and X-ray imaging. The phi coefficient and Pearson correlations were used to investigate the relationship between subjective questionnaires and biomedical examinations. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore associated risk factors.
Results: MSDs were common (70.6%) among home-based female MCWs, especially over the neck, shoulders, and upper and lower back. Psychological stress was also prevalent (37.6%). No significant correlations between subjective questionnaires and findings from biomedical examinations were found, except for a moderate correlation between MSDs and abnormal findings in the X-ray imaging. Risk factors associated with MSDs included higher education level, frequent transferring and bedside care activities, lacking licensure training, inadequate sleep, and drinking tea or coffee. Risk factors associated with psychological stress included inadequate salary, lack of licensure training, and insufficient knowledge of body mechanics techniques.
Conclusion: MSDs and psychological stress were common among home-based female MCWs. Educational level, frequent transferring and bedside care activities, and lack of licensure training were the most dominant risk factors of MSDs and psychological stress.

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HOME-BASED MIGRANT CARE WORKERS IN TAIWAN