Risk Factors For Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders In Pathologists: A Case Control Study

Yusra  Malik; Wajeeha mahmood; Tahir  Mahmood; Rubab  Naqvi; Aleena  Waheed

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-5.12584

Authors

Yusra Malik Department of Physiotherapy, Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Research & Teaching Hospital,Lahore Pakistan
Wajeeha mahmood Department of Physiotherapy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore Pakistan
Tahir Mahmood Department of Physiotherapy, Rashid Latif Khan University Lahore Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0175-5248
Rubab Naqvi Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Superior University, Lahore-Pakistan
Aleena Waheed Department of Physiotherapy, Rashid Latif Khan University Lahore Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-5.12584

Keywords:

Ergonomics, Healthcare personnel, Posture, Pathologists, Risk Factors

Abstract

Objective: To determine the risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among pathologists.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Pathology, various hospitals, Lahore, Pakistan, from Oct 2021 to Apr 2022.

Methodology: We enrolled participants from either gender, within the age range of 30 to 60 years, who were working as pathologists for at least 2 years, using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. They were divided into two groups, cases and controls. Risk factors were designated and associated using a validated musculoskeletal questionnaire for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) having validity of 0.78. Odds Ratio was calculated to determine risk factors.

Result: Of 164 pathologists, there were 70 (42.68%) males and 94(51.32%) females. Among cases, there were 26(41.30%) males and 37(58.70%) females while in the controls, there were 44(43.60%) males and 57(56.40%) females. The five dominant risk factors were poor workstation ergonomics, OR=4.24 (2.16-8.30), sitting in slouching or slouched down posture at a computer workstation, OR=4.18(2.05-8.52), prolonged static posture, OR=3.77(1.68-8.50), sustained neck flexion, OR=3.77(1.68-8.50) and absence of low back support at OR=3.04 (1.34-6.9).

Conclusion: Pathologists have many risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders, among them, the five most dominant risk factors were poor workstation ergonomics, sitting in a slouch or slouch down posture, prolonged static posture, sustained neck flexion, and absence of low back support.

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