Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Healthcare Workers: An Observational Study - PubMed
4 days ago
- #occupational health
- #healthcare
- #ergonomics
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a leading cause of occupational morbidity among healthcare professionals globally.
- The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of WMSDs among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a tertiary care setting in South India.
- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 HCWs, including doctors and nurses, using stratified random sampling.
- The overall prevalence of WMSDs was 82.1%, with the lower back (68.3%), neck (54.8%), and shoulders (48.6%) being the most affected regions.
- Nurses reported a significantly higher prevalence of WMSDs compared to doctors (88.4% vs. 73.9%, P < 0.01).
- Major risk factors identified included prolonged standing, repetitive movements, and poor ergonomics.
- Work experience > 10 years (AOR = 2.65) and lack of ergonomic training (AOR = 3.12) were independently associated with WMSDs.
- The study concludes that WMSDs are alarmingly prevalent among HCWs in India, especially among nurses, and calls for ergonomic interventions and policy-level initiatives.