scholarly journals Prevalence, Profile, and Response to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Egyptian Physiotherapists

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 1692-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walaa Ahmed Khairy ◽  
Amira Hassan Bekhet ◽  
Bothina Sayed ◽  
Sara Elsayed Elmetwally ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Esayed ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Despite that physiotherapists (PTs) are supposed to have adequate knowledge of musculoskeletal disorders and the different prevention strategies, they are at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). AIM: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, profile, predictors, and response to WRMDs among Egyptian PTs. METHODS: A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed either manually or via e-mail to 564 PTs with at least two years of working experience. Questions elicited information about the personal and occupational history of the respondents in addition to the experience of WRMDs in the past two years. RESULTS: Four hundred and fourteen respondents (82.6%) reported WRMDs within the last two years, with the lower back as the most common area affected (68.8%). More than half the PTs (54.8%) who sustained a WRMD reported that their injury took place in a private setting. Significant predictors for WRMDs were age (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.66, 0.91) and number of years of experience in physiotherapy practice (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.49). In response to the injury, about 73.9% of the respondents stated that they did not officially report their injury and 55.8% of them reported losing a half day or more from their work. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMDs among Egyptian physiotherapists is high. Despite socioeconomic and cultural differences between Egypt and other countries, our study findings were consistent with the published reports. Further studies are needed to explore the cultural and psychosocial risk factors of WRMDs.

Author(s):  
Happiness Anulika Aweto ◽  
Oluwatoyosi Babatunde Owoeye ◽  
Korede Sunday Adegbite

Background: Highway sanitary workers are exposed to various health hazards in the course of duty. This study investigated the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among highway sanitary workers in Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos, Nigeria.Method: Two hundred fifty highway sanitary workers (46 males and 204 females) of LAWMA selected from four Local Government Areas of Lagos State, Nigeria completed a 26-item questionnaire that collected information on WMSDs.Results: The 12-month prevalence of WMSDs among the workers was 24.8%. The most commonly affected body part was the lower back (22.0%). Thirty-seven (59.7%) of the respondents reported gradual onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) while 25 (40.3%) reported sudden onset. The mean years of working experience was 3.22 + 0.23 years with 111 (44.4%) of the respondents having worked for 4 years and 7 (2.8%) having worked for 1year. The three major job risk factors identified were: continuing to work when injured (87.2%), working in the same position for long periods (53.6%) and lifting heavy materials (52.4%). Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient analysis showed that there were significant relationships between prevalence of WMSDs and age (r = 0.42, p = 0.001*) and years on the job (r = 0.17, p = 0.01*).Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of WMSDs among highway sanitary workers of LAWMA. The most commonly affected body part was the lower back. Increasing age and years of working experience are significant factors that can contribute to the development of WMSDs among these workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Huu Ben ◽  
Phan Van Manh ◽  
Bui Duy Hoan ◽  
Vu Quang Phong ◽  
Nguyen Van Khoi ◽  
...  

Objective: To describe the characteristics of work related musculoskeletal disorders in commandos. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study on 1,500 servicemen of the comando forces participating in the investigation of musculoskeletal disorders. Results: The prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (in 12 months) was 60% of which the pain was mainly found in the nape, shoulder and lower back. Chronic musculoskeletal pain having to leave work only had a low rate (17,73%), most in the lower back with 9.40%. The nape and lower back had the highest rate of acute musculoskeletal pain, 21.40% and 21.27%, respectively. The Comandos soldiers worked mainly in standing and sitting positions. High REBA scores associated with musculoskeletal pain in the neck, elbows, wrists or hands, upper and lower back, thighs, and knees. Conclusion: The rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the commandos was 60%, of which the nape, shoulder, and lower back are the areas with the highest rate of musculoskeletal pain. Standing and sitting are the two main working positions of commandos. High REBA scores are associated with musculoskeletal pain in commandos.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arunabha Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Samrat Dev ◽  
Somnath Gangopadhyay

Background: Mining is an ancient occupation, long recognized as being arduous and liable to injury and disease. The lifecycle of mining consists of exploration, mine development, mine operation, decommissioning and land rehabilitation. Objective: To explore the prevalence characteristics and influence factors related to the development of work related musculoskeletal disorders of underground coalminers in Eastern Coalfield mines. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 55 coalminers from Saatgram Project, Raniganj, Eastern Coalfields, modified Nordic Questionnaire was performed to assess the musculoskeletal disorders. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the occupational factors and their work related musculoskeletal disorders. Results: In this study 36 out of 55 miners (65.45%) complained about the development of musculoskeletal disorders at different body parts. The maximum pain was identified at lower back. The presence of lower back pain was observed among 58.18% of miners. The prevalence of pain in different body sites of the miners increased significantly with their ages. According to the present study, the repetitive operations and awkward postures were the risk factors for the development of work related musculoskeletal disorders in neck, shoulder and upper limbs; moreover, the repetitive operation of moving heavy substances and stooping postures continuously were related significantly – with the development of lower back pain at lower limbs due to the long standing awkward posture. Conclusion: It may be concluded from the above study that Eastern Coalfield miners are suffering from work related musculoskeletal disorders. This condition may be rectified by changing working postures or by implementation of ergonomically designed tools and machineries.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2.6596 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 34-37 


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renée Govaerts ◽  
Bruno Tassignon ◽  
Jo Ghillebert ◽  
Ben Serrien ◽  
Sander De Bock ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Over the course of the twenty-first century, work-related musculoskeletal disorders are still persisting among blue collar workers. At present, no epidemiological overview exists. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed on the epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) within Europe’s secondary industries. Methods Five databases were screened, yielding 34 studies for the qualitative analysis and 17 for the quantitative analysis. Twelve subgroups of WMSDs were obtained for the meta-analysis by means of predefined inclusion criteria: back (overall), upper back, lower back, neck, shoulder, neck/shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, leg (overall), hip, knee, and ankle/feet. Results The most prevalent WMSDs were located at the back (overall), shoulder/neck, neck, shoulder, lower back and wrist WMSDs with mean 12-month prevalence values of 60, 54, 51, 50, 47, and 42%, respectively. The food industry was in the majority of subgroups the most prominent researched sector and was frequently associated with high prevalence values of WMSDs. Incidence ratios of upper limb WMSDs ranged between 0.04 and 0.26. Incidence ratios could not be calculated for other anatomical regions due to the lack of sufficient articles. Conclusion WMSDs are still highly present among blue collar workers. Relatively high prevalence values and low incidence ratios indicate a limited onset of WMSDs with however long-term complaints.


Author(s):  
Jan Meh ◽  
Nataša Bizovičar ◽  
Nataša Kos ◽  
Miroljub Jakovljević

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent a major problem for society, employers, and employees. These kinds of problems can cause discomfort, pain, and poor work performance. Among physiotherapists, the 1-year prevalence of WMSD ranges from 28 to 96%. Most problems occur in the lower back, with a 1-year prevalence of up to 83%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WMSD on a sample of physiotherapists from Slovenia and to identify associations between demographic/anthropometric variables, job satisfaction, and physical activity with WRMD aiming to contribute to the development of effective prevention and control strategies. Methods: The extended Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to obtain data from a sample of 102 physiotherapists. Data were presented with descriptive statistics and processing was performed with the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for non-parametric variables. The level of statistical significance was set as p ≤ 0.05. Results: The 1-year prevalence of WMSD was 92.2%. One-year prevalence of WMSD was highest for the neck (64%) and lower back (63%). Higher age and more years of practice were correlated with WMSD for shoulders and ankles/feet areas. Several patients treated by a physiotherapist were a risk factor for difficulties in the neck and multiple body areas. The level of physical activity was not correlated with WMSD in different body areas. Conclusion: The prevalence of WMSD found in our study sample was among the highest compared to other countries, despite probably having similar working conditions as elsewhere in Europe. The first WMSD of Slovenian physiotherapists mostly did not occur in the first 5 years of practice as other studies reported, which could be explained as a result of a good educational training of young physiotherapists. Possible reasons for the high prevalence of WMSD could be that our study sample represented only secondary and tertiary levels of health care; another reason could also be non-ergonomic and hard working conditions during their careers. Physiotherapists are mostly adequately physically active, however, that did not turn out to be effective WMSD prevention in our sample. The relatively high prevalence is indicating the need for better interventions and prevention of WMSD in Slovenian physiotherapists.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Vivek Harsukhbhai Ramanandi

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are present universally where physiotherapists are found to be at higher risk of being affected due to the postures attained at work. This can lead to excessive exertion associated with significant discomfort and pain in loading joints. In addition to these, the anatomical, physiological and physical characteristics of males and females are disparate so gender-based differences may also affect. However, the paucity of data for correlating the years of experience with MSDs was found in Gujarat. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate the association between the prevalence of MSDs with an increase in work experience among the physiotherapists of Gujarat. Methods: This was an online cross-sectional survey study where 322 physiotherapists were included after gaining informed electronic consent. Prevalence rates were found by employing a standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and non - parametric tests were used for data analysis. Results: Present study showed no statistically significant relationship between the increase in work experience and work-related MSDs prevalence. It was also observed that females (68.63%) have more prevalence compare to males (61.19%). The majority f the physiotherapists reported complaints of MSDs in the lower back (41.30%) and neck (37.58%) regions. Conclusion: It is inferred that the chances of being affected by MSDs do not increase with years of work experience. Moreover, female physiotherapists are more prone to MSDs. Thus, early identification and interventions through ergonomic advice and physiotherapy can prove to be very effective in declining the rate of MSDs to a notable extent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 03001
Author(s):  
Johari Anwar ◽  
Abdul Hamid Nurul Haznita ◽  
Kamaruddin Mohd Johari ◽  
Hassim Mimi Haryani ◽  
Ngadi Norzita ◽  
...  

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are often experienced by welders in the shipyard industry. A study was conducted in one of the shipyards in Malaysia to identify the prevalence of work-related MSDs among welders and the factors attributed to its increase in the workplace. The investigation was carried out using a modified Nordic questionnaire, in which 27 shipyard welders were interviewed. The questions ranged from demographic information to the prevalence of MSDs on parts of body region experiencing discomfort and pain. The results showed that the most affected body regions were neck, upper back, and lower back, which comprised of 74.1%, 70.4%, and 63.0%, respectively, of the respondents being interviewed. A further in-depth study was conducted for the three most affected body regions with respect to work activities such as working posture, repetitive work, and lifting of heavy objects during welding. The frequency of prevalence of work-related MSDs on these body regions experienced by the welders showed that 25.9% of the respondents had frequently encountered neck pain and another 11.1% of them sometimes experienced discomfort while performing repetitive actions. The study also showed that 22.2% of the respondents sometimes experienced shoulder pain whereas 3.7% of them had reported to seldom encountered it when performing welding operation in awkward positions. Almost half of the respondents (i.e., 48.50%) experienced discomfort and pain for both elbow/hand and wrist when lifting objects heavier than 5 kg.


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