PREVALENCE OF WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG SURGEONS IN GUJRANWALA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the main reasons for disability in the working community because these are responsible for reducing the quality of life, decreasing productivity, and increasing costs on health. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are considered to be multifactorial that are caused due to the interactions between various risk factors, which result in conditions that vary across different occupations. The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is high among surgeons and its impact on the surgeon's personal and professional life is high.

Objective: To investigate the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among surgeons in Gujranwala, Pakistan.

Materials and methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study. It was conducted in different hospital settings in Gujranwala. This study was completed within three months after synopsis approval. A convenient sampling technique was used. A sample size of 109 participants was taken. The Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire was used.

Results: Our results indicated that 95(85%) participants reported neck pain, 89(81%) reported wrist/hand pain, 86 (79%) reported lower back pain, 78(70%) reported shoulder pain,79(70%) reported elbow pain, 72(68%) reported ankle/foot pain, 75(65%) reported upper back pain, 65(58%) reported hip/thigh pain and 52(48%) reported knee pain during the last 12 months out of 109 participants.

Conclusion: It is concluded that work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among surgeons of Gujranwala Pakistan. The body parts most often affected were the neck, wrist/hand, and lower back. The prevalence and body parts affected varied by practice setting and specialty area.

Keywords: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, surgeons.