Patterns of occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and its correlation with ergonomic hazards among health care professionals

Ergonomic risks and problems of the musculoskeletal system for physiotherapists: comparison of employees in the fields of pediatric and adult care

Objectives. The aim of this study is to compare the ergonomic risk levels, musculoskeletal complaints and quality of life of physiotherapists (PTs) according to their field of work. Methods. A total of 107 volunteer PTs participated in the study, whose information was recorded. Ergonomic risk levels were determined using rapid entire body assessment (REBA). Complaints about the musculoskeletal system of PTs were evaluated with the Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire (CMDQ) and quality of life was evaluated by the Nottingham health profile. Results. PTs who worked with pediatric patients (Grouppediatric; n = 47) were younger (p<0.001). PTs who worked with adult patients (Groupadult; n = 60) had a higher daily number of patients (p<0.001). The REBA score did not make a difference between the groups (p = 0.379). The difference was found in the upper back region of the CMDQ (p<0.05). There was no difference between groups for quality of life (p>0.05). Conclusions. Grouppediatric may be working in ergonomically demanding positions, although there is no statistical difference. The injury sites of the musculoskeletal system can differ. However, the reflection of musculoskeletal system problems on quality of life does not show any difference between the groups of PTs.

Investigating the Risk of Patient Manual Handling Using the Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients Method among Hospital Nurses in Botswana

BACKGROUND

Evidence on the prevalence of lower back pain (LBP) among nurses is widespread in the literature, with several risk factors being reported. These include manual handling of patients, repetitive bending and twisting movements, and long working hours. It is reported that LBP has negative health outcomes and causes poor work performance among healthcare workers (HCWs). The magnitude of ergonomic risks associated with these healthcare activities has not been adequately investigated in Botswana. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the ergonomic risk levels associated with the manual handling of patients and its association with the prevalence of LBP among nurses in Botswana.

METHODS

This was an observational cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted in a Botswana public tertiary hospital from March to April 2023. The Movement and Assistance of Hospital Patients (MAPO) tool was used to collect data on ergonomic risk levels. Data on the demographic characteristics of participants were collected using a tool adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated to determine the association between ergonomic risk levels and the prevalence of LBP.

RESULTS

A total of 256 nurses participated and completed the study. The self-reported prevalence of LBP in this study was 76.6%. The risk of acquiring LBP was high (90.5%) based on the MAPO index. Although the frequencies of self-reported LBP were high among nurses, these did not show any significant association with the MAPO index data. This could be partly due to the small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high prevalence of LBP in this study, which was corroborated by the MAPO index data. This has demonstrated the value of the MAPO index in forecasting the risk of patient manual handling. The findings might help Botswana formulate policies intended to address ergonomic preventive measures, directed towards reducing the MAPO index score by addressing the single risk determinants.

Musculoskeletal pain among medical residents: role of workplace safety climate and sexual harassment

BACKGROUND

Workplace factors are important predictors of occurrence of musculoskeletal pain among different occupational populations. In healthcare, a psychologically unsafe work environment can negatively affect the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of physicians. This study aimed to examine the relationship between workplace violence, sexual harassment and musculoskeletal pain among Egyptian physicians in their years of residency.

METHODS

We distributed an online self-administered questionnaire to 101 residents working in various healthcare sectors in Egypt. It included sections on demographic data, working conditions, widespread pain index (WPI), pain interference short-form, workplace violence and harassment questionnaire, psychosocial safety climate questionnaire (PSC) and sexual harassment climate questionnaire.

RESULTS

All residents had at least one painful site on the WPI (range 1-11). The mean WPI was 3.5 ± 2.4, and 39.6% satisfied the criteria of having widespread pain by having at least 4 pain sites. Widespread pain index showed a weak statistically significant negative correlation with workplace PSC score (rho = - 0.272, p = 0.006), and a statistically significant weak positive correlation with the calculated total abuse index (rho = 0.305, p = 0.002). Workplace violence and abuse, as measured by a calculated abuse index was the only significant predictors of widespread pain among residents.

CONCLUSION

WPV was found to be a predictor of musculoskeletal pain among medical residents. Healthcare organizations need to address WPV by employing preventive strategies to minimize its hazardous effects and ensure a safe working environment for physicians.

Prevalence, workplace risk factors and coping strategies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal disorders cause a significant occupational problem for healthcare workers (HCWs).

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to measure the prevalence, associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among HCWs working in five hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

METHODS

A previously used validated questionnaire, which consisted of four sections, including demographic information, occupational health questions, and associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies, was used as a survey tool to collect data on health workers working in five hospitals located in the Faisalabad District.

RESULTS

The finding of this study revealed that 7-day and 12-month prevalence rates of WMSDs were 1226 (83.45%) and 1107 (75.35%) respectively among HCWs and most common WMSDs was low back pain 576 (39.2%) followed by the neck 217 (15%) and ankles 186 (13%) according to body sites. The probability of developing WRMSDs was higher among physiotherapists (OR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.39-9.51), participants with rank 18 (OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.18-7.96), and HCWs who work in primary care (OR = 8.94, 95% CI: 3.47-23.04). The most important risk factor reported was treating an excessive number of patients in one day (66.8%). The main coping strategies reported in this study were to get someone else to help in handling a heavy patient (90%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that the most prevalent WMSD among HCWs was lower back pain. Sedentary lifestyle was shown to be a positive risk factor for acquiring WMSDs. Additionally, the primary risk factor discovered was treating an excessive number of patients, probably owing to a shortage of healthcare staff.

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among health care professionals: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are one of the main causes of morbidity among healthcare professionals. It has various secondary consequences on productivity by diminishing the quantity and quality of work completed by the affected personnel, in addition to having a primary impact on the individual with pain and discomfort.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to determine the overall prevalence rate of WRMSD among dentists, physiotherapists, and surgeons and also identify the commonly affected regions of the body about specific health care professions among each of the three professions, as recorded by the cross-sectional studies performed in various countries and regions of the world.

METHODS

A systematic search strategy was framed following the PRISMA guidelines based on the present inclusion and exclusion criteria. A critical search of articles was conducted during June 2020 in CINAHL (DOAJ), PubMed, Google Scholar Scopus, PEDro databases and SAGE journals.

RESULTS

Out of the 42 articles that met the eligibility criteria, there were 39 cross-sectional studies, 2 pilot cross-sectional surveys and 1 prospective cohort study with one-year follow-up. All studies included in this review used various survey tools for recording the demographic details and measuring the prevalence of WRMSDs and other outcome factors.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that all three health care professionals (dentists, physiotherapists and surgeons) are highly prone to develop WRMSDs with surgeons and dentists being more vulnerable when compared to physiotherapists. The lower back and neck are identified as the two most commonly affected regions among all three professionals.

A Grounded Theory Study on the Intention to Work While Ill among Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders: An In-Depth Understanding of Workers' Experiences

BACKGROUND

Frequent short-term sickness absence is prevalent among workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This in return leads to poor productivity in organizations and decreased ability to work among workers. Nevertheless, some workers with MSDs still continue to work despite pain and are able to maintain their productivity. Existing literature on attending work while ill is very limited. Understanding the factors influencing workers' attendance to work while having symptoms is crucial to help workers live with their MSD productively and healthily. According to literature on behavior theories, the proximal determinant of behavior is one's intention to engage in that behavior. Thus, this study was conducted to explore the factors that influence the intention to work while ill among workers with MSD.

METHODS

Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide according to a grounded theory approach. Workers with MSD were recruited via a purposive and snowballing sampling until data saturation was attained. Data were analyzed by means of thematic analysis using computer software, ATLAS.ti.

RESULTS

Nine major significant themes of factors influencing the intention to work while ill were identified after transcription. From these, a total of six themes were associated with attendance incentives driving workers to attend work while ill (work commitment, work satisfaction, support from colleagues, workplace arrangements, ability to recover at home and ability to manage pain at work) and three themes were linked to attendance requirements (consequences to self, consequences to others and poor acceptance of one's illness for sickness absence by supervisor and colleagues) faced by workers to attend work while ill.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underlines the importance of both positive and negative motivators in influencing the intention to work while ill among workers with MSD. Future research suggests comparing both motivators in terms of work performance to aid more workers to work while ill.

Improving Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders for Sewing Machine Operators in Ethiopia

Purpose. The awkwardly designed sewing workstations in the garment industry cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders that cause global health concerns for industrial sewing operators. This study was conducted with the aims of evaluating health risks and improvement interventions for sewing operators in Ethiopia. Materials and methods. Strain index and standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal disorder questionnaires were used for data collection. Binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data and identify significant factors. Results. The study revealed that operators sitting chair design in the sewing section has significant correlation with the occurrence pain in different body parts particularly in the upper and lower back body parts with a high odds ratio of more than 93% in the low and upper back areas. Hence, the sitting chair was redesigned considering operator's anthropometric measurements and workstation requirements to improve workers safety and productivity. Conclusion. The study concludes that work related musculoskeletal disorders were significant in different body parts was crucial for appropriate intervention in redesigning the sewing workstations particularly the sitting chair to ensure health and safety of industrial sewing operators. The study therefore recommends implementation of the proposed ergonomic sitting chair to improve operators safety and productivity.

Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of dentists in Kuwait and the impact on health and economic status

BACKGROUND

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have become a great health issue among dentists. However, it is never been examined among dentists in the State of Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES

The purposes of this study were to define the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) among dentists in the State of Kuwait, to identify risk factors for WMSD, and to explore relationships between WMSD and absenteeism/productivity.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to dentists at government, private, and academic dental clinics.

RESULTS

A total of 186 questionnaires were returned (80% response rate). The results showed that 88 (47%) of responding dentists experienced WMSDs. Dentists self-reporting WMSD were older (36.4 (10.3) years vs. 32.6 (9.33); P = 0.01), in practice longer (11.7 (10.4) years vs. 8.2 (8.4); P = 0.013), and worked longer hours (34.9 (10.6) hours vs. 30.4 (11.5); P = 0.08) than dentists not reporting WMSD. A significant association was found between rating of pain and lost days from work (x2 (10, n = 85) = 20.96, ρ = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Dentists' occupational procedures expose their bodies to prolonged and awkward postures, thereby subjecting the dentists to unnatural forces and stresses on crucial movement and functioning joints. Cumulative exposures to such postures lead to WMSDs. Generally, WMSD has a considerable impact on the health and economic status of the individual, family, and workplace. WMSD increases absenteeism and reduces productivity.

Quantifying Lumbar Movement Patterns of Allied Health Professionals in an Australian Health Care Facility

Health professionals responsible for return to work plans have little data about allied health movement to guide recommendations following lower back injury. This study aimed to quantify the lumbar movement patterns of allied health professionals within a health care facility throughout a normal workday. An observational case study was undertaken at a public health care facility with 122 allied health professionals. The lumbar movements were recorded with the ViMove together with pain scale measurement. The mean (SD) recording time for allied health was 7.7 (0.7) hours. A mean (SD) 3 (1.4) hours total were spent in standing, 3.8 (1.7) hours in sitting, and 0.8 (0.4) hours in locomotion. Forty-nine flexions were recorded on average per session, most identified as short term (<30 s) within low range (0°-20°). Lumbar movement patterns differed among professions. Thirty-seven (31%) participants reported a history of lower back injury, and 57 (47%) reported low back pain at the end of their workday. This study provides an insight into allied health professionals' back movement in a hospital or community-based health care setting. These data may inform those who make return to work recommendations or provide rehabilitation services for allied health professionals working with a lower back injury.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders amongst flower farm workers in Kenya

Background

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a global public concern for health and social-care systems, as well as individuals. They are the second-most prevalent cause of disability globally.

Objectives

The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of WMSDs amongst flower farm workers. The secondary objective was to determine the association between the socio-demographic characteristics and the presence of WMSDs in the previous 12-month period.

Method

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A sample of 270 participants was drawn from 897 farm workers. Quantitative data related to musculoskeletal disorders were collected using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Descriptive statistics were undertaken using frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics were analysed using a chi-squared test (X²) based on an alpha level of p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 184 (68.1%) respondents reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Amongst the 184 respondents, 178 were performing general farm work. Most 103 (38.1%) of the WMSDs were reported in the lower back. There was a strong association between job designation as a general worker (p = 0.016), an older age (p = 0.027) and having worked for a long time as a farm worker (p = 0.041) and WMSDs.

Conclusion

Flower farm workers in Kenya were found to be heavily burdened by WMSDs. Furthermore, the job designation, older age, as well as having worked for a long time, predisposes workers to the risk of developing WMSDs.

Clinical implications

The high prevalence of WMSDs necessitates policy reform in the flower farm industry.

Effects of educational program based on Precede-Proceed model in promoting low back pain behaviors (EPPLBP) in health care workers Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences: randomized trial

The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is an adaptable planning model that could be served in public health issues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an educational program based on Precede-Proceed model on promoting Low Back Pain (LBP) behaviors among health care workers (HCWs). This Double-blinded randomized trial study was conducted on 112 from 120 HCWs aged from 30 to 55 years The eligible HCWs were randomly divided to intervention group 1 (N = 38), respectively intervention group 2 and control group (N = 37) for which the Precede-Proceed - based educational program was implemented and control group (N = 37). The random multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to recruit HCWs. HCWs completed a self-reported questionnaire on their Low Back Pain Behaviors assessment questionnaire based on the Precede-Proceed Model and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was also used. The data were gathered at initial of the study, 6 and 12 months follow-ups from three groups and were analyzed through SPSS version 19. There was a significant interaction between the factors “group” and “test time” (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) of knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, and attitude, reinforcing factors, enabling factors, public health, quality of life and LBP preventive behaviors of the intervention group., although, no significant alternate became located in the mean score of above structures of the control group. The findings of the present study confirmed the effectiveness of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model-based educational program on preventing LBP by enhancing scores of model constructs. However, these results should be repeated in further studies to be able to apply this program in health system.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among registered general nurses: a case of a large central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe

Objective

Worldwide, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a common cause of morbidity affecting occupational individuals such as health-care professionals. However, nothing is known about WMSDs in hospital nurses in Zimbabwe. This study was conducted to provide cross-sectional evidence of the 12-month prevalence, consequences and factors associated with WMSDs among 208 nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH).

Results

The response rate for the study was 55.7%. The median age for the participants was 32.0 years (interquartile range = 29–36 years). The lifetime prevalence of WMSDs in nurses was 95.7% (n = 112). The first episodes were experienced in the first 5 years of working (n = 59, 52.7%). However, 82.1% (n = 96) nurses experienced WMSDs in the last 12 months. Low back pain was the most common WMSDs reported (n = 55, 67.9%). WMSDs were significantly associated with qualification attained, postgraduate ergonomic training and working experience. Overall, 87.5% (n = 84) nurses experienced at least one of the consequences of WMSDs. Cognisant of the limitations of the study, the present study found that WMSDs are a common occurrence among nurses at PGH. This creates a need for prompt hospital education programs aimed at raising awareness among nurses on the existence of WMSDs and the consequences at PGH.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3412-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.