Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among rural middle-aged women in Korea: a qualitative photovoice study.

Middle adulthood is widely recognized as a period of transition marked by physical aging and shifting social roles []. Middle-aged women are affected by metabolic and physiological changes related to postmenopausal hormonal changes and lifestyle, resulting in problems in the cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and endocrine systems. In particular, the prevalence of osteoporosis is reported to be approximately twice as high []. The decrease in bone density caused by hormonal changes due to menopause exacerbates muscle fatigue, and when combined with the “culture of putting up with it” in traditional agricultural societies, leads to the concealment of symptoms []. Previous quantitative studies have focused on measuring pain intensity and prevalence [] but have failed to capture the impact of symptoms on individuals' daily lives or cultural contexts. This stems from the structural limitations of the quantitative paradigm, which reduces pain to “measurable objective data.” Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are MSDs that occur in connection with occupational activities, with repetitive motions, improper work postures, heavy lifting, and prolonged static postures being the primary causes []. Agricultural workers are particularly vulnerable to MSDs, as they spend a significant portion of their working hours in physically demanding postures that place biomechanical stress on the neck, lower back, and lower extremities. According to Kee [], more than half of farmers’ daily work involves activities that strain the cervical spine, lumbar region, and legs, contributing to a high prevalence of MSDs such as rotator cuff injuries, disc herniation, and knee joint degeneration. Women in agriculture are more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain or disorders than men [,]. Women living in rural areas are burdened by agricultural production work, housework, raising children, and caring for parents, due to their dual roles as farmers and housewives []. As they juggle farm work, household duties, and caregiving, their pain affects not only the body but also daily life, family roles, and self-perception []. Musculoskeletal symptoms in middle-aged rural women are not solely caused by physical strain, but also influenced by social, psychological, and economic factors. Despite this complexity, previous research has largely relied on quantitative methods such as surveys and epidemiological data, which tend to isolate symptoms from the broader life context [,]. These approaches provide useful information on prevalence and risk factors but fail to capture the subjective, symbolic, and sociocultural dimensions of illness.