Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers, nurses and caregivers in Estonia

Prevalence rate of neck, shoulder and lower back pain in association with age, body mass index and gender among Malaysian office workers

BACKGROUND

Malaysian office workers often experience Musculoskeletal Discomfort (MSD) which is typically related to the low back, shoulders, and neck.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of lower back, shoulder, and neck pain among Malaysian office workers.

METHODS

752 subjects (478 women and 274 men) were randomly selected from the Malaysian office workers population of 10,000 individuals. The participants were aged between 20-50 years and had at least one year of work experience. All participants completed the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). Instructions to complete the questinnaire were given to the participants under the researchers supervision in the morning before they started a day of work. The participants were then classified into four categories based on body mas index (BMI) (BMI:≤18.4, 18.5-24.99, 25-29.99, ≥30) and age (Age: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, ≥50).

RESULTS

There was a significant association between pain severity in gender and right (p = 0.046) and left (p = 0.041) sides of the shoulders. There was also a significant association between BMI and severity of pain in the lower back area (p = 0.047). It was revealed that total pain score in the shoulders was significantly associated with age (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated that a significant correlation existed between pain servity for gender in both right and left shoulder. These findings require further scientific investigation as do the identification of effective preventative stratgies.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its relation to depression among workers in kindergarten

BACKGROUND

Working in a closed environment for more than 7-8 hours can affect both psychological and physical health among kindergarten workers.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and depression as well as the correlation between them, if any, among kindergarten workers.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional observation, one hundred and five healthy female staff members (age: 34.27±7.01 year, working duration: 7.42±0.81 hr/d, BMI: 24.50±2.61 kg/m2 (mean±SD)), who have had at least one year of working experience, were selected randomly from 10 kindergartens. The subjects completed both the Cornell musculoskeletal and Patient Health (PHQ-9) questionnaires to enable the assessments of MSD and depression scores accordingly. The correlation between both questionnaires was then measured to find any links. To assess the reliability of Farsi-language versions of the Cornell questionnaire and PHQ-9, the Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) was measured through test-retest with 1-week delay and the prevalence of MSD and depression were subsequently assessed as well.

RESULTS

The Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) illustrated that the Farsi version of MSD instruments showed high levels of repeatability. The ICC coefficient was (0.932-0.987, p < 0.001) for the Cornell questionnaire and the Cronbach alpha for PHQ-9 questionnaire was 0.861. The highest severity of pain was related to lower back (30.5%), and after it, neck (27.6%), right shoulder (27.6%) and left shoulder (25.7%) pain, respectively. The results of PHQ-9 questionnaire indicated that 41.9% (n = 44) of subjects had a severe depression. There was a significant (r = 0.338, p < 0.01) relation between depression and MSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of depression and severity of physical pain was an issue among staff in kindergartens. More study will be needed to define all aspects of this issue.

Prevalence rate of neck, shoulder and lower back pain in association with age, body mass index and gender among Malaysian office workers

BACKGROUND

Malaysian office workers often experience Musculoskeletal Discomfort (MSD) which is typically related to the low back, shoulders, and neck.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of lower back, shoulder, and neck pain among Malaysian office workers.

METHODS

752 subjects (478 women and 274 men) were randomly selected from the Malaysian office workers population of 10,000 individuals. The participants were aged between 20-50 years and had at least one year of work experience. All participants completed the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ). Instructions to complete the questinnaire were given to the participants under the researchers supervision in the morning before they started a day of work. The participants were then classified into four categories based on body mas index (BMI) (BMI:≤18.4, 18.5-24.99, 25-29.99, ≥30) and age (Age: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, ≥50).

RESULTS

There was a significant association between pain severity in gender and right (p = 0.046) and left (p = 0.041) sides of the shoulders. There was also a significant association between BMI and severity of pain in the lower back area (p = 0.047). It was revealed that total pain score in the shoulders was significantly associated with age (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated that a significant correlation existed between pain servity for gender in both right and left shoulder. These findings require further scientific investigation as do the identification of effective preventative stratgies.