4 research outputs found
Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office Workers in Higher Education Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Study
BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) currently pose a challenge to public health and elicit considerable financial, physical and social problems for workers. There is a need to attain a deeper understanding of this predicament among office workers, in order to tackle it successfully. This study sought to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs among office workers in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as well as discover its associations with their personal/work details and reported risk factors.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was executed among 217 office workers in different HEIs, who filled self-report questionnaires on WMSDs. Data were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics.RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of WMSDs was 71.9% among these staff. The lower back, wrists/hands and shoulders were the most reported body regions for these disorders. WMSD prevalence had significant associations with sex (p = 0.004), age (p= 0.028), working hours (p = 0.003) and work experience (p =0.014). There were significant positive relationships (p < 0.05) between WMSD prevalence and these risk factors: awkward posture, sustained body position, improper bending, workplace stress, inappropriate furniture and inadequate rest breaks.CONCLUSION: Most of the study participants were affected with WMSDs, which were primarily reported in the back and upper extremities. Office workers who were older, female, more experienced and work for longer hours, displayed higher risks for these disorders and should be given special attention. Several factors reported by these HEI staff were revealed to significantly influence WMSD prevalence, emphasizing the need for their effective detection and curtailment
Self-Reported Physical Activity Level and Associated Factors among Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain
Background: Non-Specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a common
musculoskeletal disorder that leads to impaired physical activity (PA) level and
functional limitation, which might cause disability. This study evaluated the
self-reported PA level and associated factors among NSCLBP patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 57 patients purposively
recruited from the out-patient physiotherapy clinics of two tertiary hospitals.
A self-structured questionnaire, long form of International Physical Activity
Questionnaire, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and Modified Assessing
Levels of Physical Activity and fitness (ALPHA) environmental questionnaires
were administered to assess the patient’s socio- demographic/clinical profile,
PA level, disability level and environmental characteristics respectively.
Pearson Chi-square and Spearman rank correlation were used to determine the
associations between the variables of interest. Alpha level was set at P <0.05.
Results: Males had a higher JRPA, TRPA and LTPA. Females had a higher DGPA.
Age was significantly negatively moderately correlated with JRPA (P=0.001),
TRPA (P=0.016), DGPA (P=0.021) and LTPA (P=0.007). Highest Educational
level was significantly positively moderately correlated with JRPA (P=0.001)
and LTPA (P=0.002). Pain intensity and disability had a significant negative
weak correlation with TRPA (P=0.001) and LTPA (P=0.048), respectively,
while sidewalks availability was significantly positively moderately correlated
with LTPA (P=0.001). Crime safety at day (P=0.001) and at night (P=0.024) was
significantly moderately negatively correlated with LTPA.
Conclusion: The PA level of NSCLBP patients was moderate and influenced by
socio-demographic, clinical and environmental factors. These factors should be
considered in the management of these patients to encourage and promote PA
participation
Physical Activity Level and Factors Affecting Exercise Participation among Nigerian Adults with and Without Diabetes
Background: Diabetes presents a multifaceted challenge to health systems in Nigeria and beyond. Physical activity is a cornerstone of diabetes management but is often underutilised. Despite the positive effects of physical activity on different dimensions of health to patients with diabetes, most fail to maintain long-term adherence to physical activity programmes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the physical activity level and factors affecting exercise participation among patients with and without diabetes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 400 participants recruited by convenience sampling. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Exercise Benefit and Barrier Scale (EBBS) questionnaires were used to measure physical activity and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, respectively. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages and frequency, mean and standard deviation, and independent t-test. The level of significance was set at p less than 0.05. Results: The majority of the patients with diabetes (71%) had low physical activity levels while 52% of the nondiabetic group were moderately active. There was a significant difference between physical activity levels of patients with diabetes and the nondiabetic group (p less than 0.05). Physical exertion was reported by both patients with and without diabetes as the greatest barrier to exercise participation. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes in Nigeria have a low level of physical activity and are also faced with certain barriers which limit their participation in exercise programmes. Exercise barrier identification and public awareness on the health benefits of exercise and physical activity in the prevention and management of diabetes should thus be encouraged