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