Work and musculoskeletal discomfort of Nigerian health workers: pattern and predictors

Abstract

Background: Ergonomic hazards are the precursors to work-related musculoskeletal discomforts (WMSDs) in most work environments, hence, to locate a hazard, search for WMSDs. This study investigates the pattern and predictors of WMSDs and the attending ergonomic hazards that potentiate these WMSDs among employees in a tertiary healthcare centre.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey involving employees of Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria. They completed a questionnaire on the perceived presence of ergonomic hazards at their work stations and the standardized Nordic questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the data.

Results: 71.9% of the respondents reported WMSDs with lower back, upper back and the neck being the three most affected areas. 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 and age of the respondents were significantly associated with the presence of WMSD (p < 0.005). Significant predictors of the presence of WMSDs were length of employment and department of employee (p < 0.005).

Conclusion: WMSD is most prevalent around the back predicted by length of employment and department of employee.

Keywords:

• Work related
• musculoskeletal
• discomfort
• ergonomic hazards

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.