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El Braidy P1, Sader M1, Khoury (el) P1, Mansour C1, Akawi R1, Filfily P1, Abdel nour N1
1Saint Joseph University, Physicaltherapy, Beirut, Lebanon
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) pose an important occupational health problem across all occupations of which individual, physical, environmental and psychosocial factors have been linked as possible risk factors. Office Work in the banking sector is characterized by exposure to a large number of these risk factors. Few studies have assessed the prevalence and risk factors for WMSDs in this occupational group. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no such studies previously published in Lebanon.
Purpose: To investigate the prevalence, pattern and risk factors for WMSDs among office workers in banking sector in Beirut, Lebanon.
Methods: In this quantitative cross-sectional survey, a total of 370 copies of the questionnaire were distributed among full-time office workers in 13 different Lebanese banks. The questionnaire included general, personal, professional environmental information and the interaction between the office workers and their work environment. The point and 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders were captured using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire while perceived physical work demand/load was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and psychosocial risk factors by job content questionnaire. Chi-square and Fisher´s exact tests were used to assist the relationship categorical variable and WMSDs. Student-T test and Mann-Whitney U test were also used for continuous variable.
Results: A total of 313 valid copies (159 men and 154 women) of the distributed questionnaire were returned and included in analysis giving a response rate of 85.7%. The neck, lower back, shoulders and upper back respectively were the body parts most affected. Different significant correlations were made between risk factors and WMSDs at different body regions:
Neck pain with use of ergonomic knowledge (p=0.026), number of working hours (p= 0.006), duration of rest breaks (p=0 04), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.005), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001), incorrect sitting position (p=0.022), non-adjustable chairs (p=0.005).
Shoulder pain with gender (p=0.001), number of working hours (p=0.028), reflection of light (p=0.001), incorrect forearms and sitting position (p=0.042), high keyboard position respectively (p=0.006). Dissatisfaction of light (p=0.034), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001).
Upper back pain with no use of ergonomic knowledge (p= 0.047), chair arm rest (p=0,016), incorrect thigh position (p=0.039) and sitting position (p=0.026).
Lower back pain with no use of ergonomic knowledge (p=0.032), number of working hours (p=0.03), frequency of rest breaks (p=0,003), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.043), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.041), incorrect sitting position (p=0.02), wired mouse (p=0.006).
Wrist pain with tobacco (p=0.007), years working experience (p=0.045), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.045), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001).
Conclusion(s): A high proportion of banking office workers presented with WMSDs of which the neck, lower back, shoulders and upper back respectively were the body parts most affected. Incorrect sitting position, noise and light dissatisfaction were significant associated risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs.
Implications: The outcome of this study highlights the need to increase ergonomics awareness and may help in the planning of an ergonomic intervention in this occupational group.
Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Office Workers in the banking sector, Risk factors
Funding acknowledgements: We received no funding for this study.
Purpose: To investigate the prevalence, pattern and risk factors for WMSDs among office workers in banking sector in Beirut, Lebanon.
Methods: In this quantitative cross-sectional survey, a total of 370 copies of the questionnaire were distributed among full-time office workers in 13 different Lebanese banks. The questionnaire included general, personal, professional environmental information and the interaction between the office workers and their work environment. The point and 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders were captured using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire while perceived physical work demand/load was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and psychosocial risk factors by job content questionnaire. Chi-square and Fisher´s exact tests were used to assist the relationship categorical variable and WMSDs. Student-T test and Mann-Whitney U test were also used for continuous variable.
Results: A total of 313 valid copies (159 men and 154 women) of the distributed questionnaire were returned and included in analysis giving a response rate of 85.7%. The neck, lower back, shoulders and upper back respectively were the body parts most affected. Different significant correlations were made between risk factors and WMSDs at different body regions:
Neck pain with use of ergonomic knowledge (p=0.026), number of working hours (p= 0.006), duration of rest breaks (p=0 04), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.005), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001), incorrect sitting position (p=0.022), non-adjustable chairs (p=0.005).
Shoulder pain with gender (p=0.001), number of working hours (p=0.028), reflection of light (p=0.001), incorrect forearms and sitting position (p=0.042), high keyboard position respectively (p=0.006). Dissatisfaction of light (p=0.034), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001).
Upper back pain with no use of ergonomic knowledge (p= 0.047), chair arm rest (p=0,016), incorrect thigh position (p=0.039) and sitting position (p=0.026).
Lower back pain with no use of ergonomic knowledge (p=0.032), number of working hours (p=0.03), frequency of rest breaks (p=0,003), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.043), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.041), incorrect sitting position (p=0.02), wired mouse (p=0.006).
Wrist pain with tobacco (p=0.007), years working experience (p=0.045), dissatisfaction of light (p=0.045), noise dissatisfaction (p=0.001).
Conclusion(s): A high proportion of banking office workers presented with WMSDs of which the neck, lower back, shoulders and upper back respectively were the body parts most affected. Incorrect sitting position, noise and light dissatisfaction were significant associated risk factors for the occurrence of WMSDs.
Implications: The outcome of this study highlights the need to increase ergonomics awareness and may help in the planning of an ergonomic intervention in this occupational group.
Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, Office Workers in the banking sector, Risk factors
Funding acknowledgements: We received no funding for this study.
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Physicaltherapy
Ethics committee: saint joseph university
Ethics number: USJ-2016-20
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
