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Ogunlana M1, Awobayo A1
1Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Physiotherapy, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Background: Ergonomic hazards are the precursors to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in most work environments, hence, to locate a hazard, search for its manifestation - WMSD. The prevalence of WMSD and its associations with ergonomics hazards has not been well documented amongst all cadres of healthcare sector employees with more attentions given to clinical staff
Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence and pattern of WMSDs and the attending ergonomic hazards that potentiate these WMSDs amongst employees in a federal healthcare centre.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey involving employees of Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta (FMCA) Ogun State Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained from the FMCA Health Research Committee. Participants were invited to participate based on a quota sampling technique having fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They completed a questionnaire on the perceived presence of ergonomic hazards at their work stations and the standardized Nordic questionnaire. Frequency distribution and percentage was used in summarizing socio-demographic and individual characteristics of participants. Odds-ratio was used to describe the association between prevalence of WMSDs and perceived ergonomic hazards. Chi-square was used in making inferences on the association between the prevalence of WMSD and selected demographic and clinical variables.
Results: 377 members of staff of the tertiary health centre participated in this study. About 71.9% of the respondents reported Work-related musculoskeletal pain mostly at the lower back, upper back and neck. Prolonged standing (53.1%) and prolonged sitting (40.8%) were the most prevalent perceived ergonomic hazard among the respondents. Forceful exertion was the hazard that has the highest estimated relative risk of causing musculoskeletal pain over a 12 month period (OR = 4.8), followed by prolonged standing (OR = 2.7), and frequent bending (OR = 2.6). Educational status, age and duration of employment of respondents were significantly associated with the presence of WMSD (p 0.005).
Conclusion(s): Work related pain is most prevalent around the back and the presence of ergonomic hazards is significantly associated with the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Implications: The outcome of this research may confirm the necessity of screening for ergonomic hazards and workspace modifications to stem the incidences of work related musculoskeletal pain and disorders.
Keywords: Work-related, Pain, Hazard
Funding acknowledgements: Self funding
Purpose: This study investigates the prevalence and pattern of WMSDs and the attending ergonomic hazards that potentiate these WMSDs amongst employees in a federal healthcare centre.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey involving employees of Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta (FMCA) Ogun State Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained from the FMCA Health Research Committee. Participants were invited to participate based on a quota sampling technique having fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They completed a questionnaire on the perceived presence of ergonomic hazards at their work stations and the standardized Nordic questionnaire. Frequency distribution and percentage was used in summarizing socio-demographic and individual characteristics of participants. Odds-ratio was used to describe the association between prevalence of WMSDs and perceived ergonomic hazards. Chi-square was used in making inferences on the association between the prevalence of WMSD and selected demographic and clinical variables.
Results: 377 members of staff of the tertiary health centre participated in this study. About 71.9% of the respondents reported Work-related musculoskeletal pain mostly at the lower back, upper back and neck. Prolonged standing (53.1%) and prolonged sitting (40.8%) were the most prevalent perceived ergonomic hazard among the respondents. Forceful exertion was the hazard that has the highest estimated relative risk of causing musculoskeletal pain over a 12 month period (OR = 4.8), followed by prolonged standing (OR = 2.7), and frequent bending (OR = 2.6). Educational status, age and duration of employment of respondents were significantly associated with the presence of WMSD (p 0.005).
Conclusion(s): Work related pain is most prevalent around the back and the presence of ergonomic hazards is significantly associated with the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Implications: The outcome of this research may confirm the necessity of screening for ergonomic hazards and workspace modifications to stem the incidences of work related musculoskeletal pain and disorders.
Keywords: Work-related, Pain, Hazard
Funding acknowledgements: Self funding
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics; Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria
Ethics committee: Health Review Committee of the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta
Ethics number: FMCA/470/HREC/10/2016
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
