The Prevalence of Neck Pain Among Female Sewing Machine Operators
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Background: Female sewing machine operators are exposed to prolonged sitting, sustained cervical flexion, repetitive upper-limb movements, and potentially unsuitable workstation conditions, which may increase their risk of neck pain and functional limitation. Objective: To determine the prevalence and severity of neck pain among female sewing machine operators in Sukkur and examine its association with daily working hours. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 120 female sewing machine operators aged 18–40 years recruited from vocational training centres and tailoring workplaces through convenience sampling. Neck pain and related functional effects were assessed using the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire, while pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to assess the association between working-hour category and neck pain. Results: Neck pain was reported by 92 participants, giving a prevalence of 76.7% (95% CI: 68.3–83.3%). Moderate pain was reported by 35.0%, mild pain by 31.7%, and severe pain by 10.0%. Some degree of sleep disturbance was reported by 70.8%, while 75.0% experienced additional pain or limitation during work. Neck-pain prevalence was 88.6% among participants working more than six hours daily and 60.0% among those working six hours or less, χ²(1)=13.31, p<0.001. The prevalence ratio was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.16–1.88). Conclusion: Neck pain was common among female sewing machine operators and was associated with longer daily working duration. Ergonomic workplace improvements and structured rest opportunities may help reduce the occupational burden
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