ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lower back pain (LBP) refers to pain in the back between the last rib and the gluteal fold. Recent psychological research indicates a relevant connection between severe pain and emotional stress. The etiology of musculoskeletal pain shown to be influenced by low social support, high job demands, and low job control. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 640 medical students in Taif University was carried out from November 2018 to April 2019. A standardized Nordic questionnaire was employed to assess musculoskeletal pain and K10 was used to assess psychological stress. RESULTS: Our study found 33.3% of medical students reported lower back pain, 20.7% reported lower back pain 0-7 days during the last 12 months, and 18.8% reported reduction of activity due to lower back pain during the last 12 months. The mean stress score was 22.7 ± 8.8; 20.7% of students with mild stress reported lower back pain. LBP showed non-significant association to stress categories (P = 0.409). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey found no significant association between LBP and psychological stress. The three main risk factors associated with lower back pain were being a 2nd year medical student, female gender, and high working hours.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Burnout is a chronic stress-related syndrome with the three dimensions of exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are defined as a musculoskeletal strain reported by an individual. Burnout is prevalent among Saudi medical students. Many studies have found that burnout is associated with a higher prevalence of MSDs. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study that has assessed the prevalence of burnout among students of health care colleges in Saudi Arabia and its correlation to MSDs and compared the results of each health care college to the other. Hence, this is the aim of this study. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 392 students of health care colleges in Taif University was carried out from April 2019 to May 2019, using a predesigned questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) Questionnaire to assess the degree of burnout, and Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: 48.7% of the students of health care colleges had burnout and 64.8% of them had MSDs. We did not detect a statistically significant association between burnout prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics. There was a significant association between burnout and the MSDs, as 34.2% of the students with a high degree of burnout had MSDs. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout, as well as MSDs, are prevalent among students of health care colleges. Burnout seems to be a risk factor for MSDs. Social media campaigns and awareness campaigns about burnout should be promoted.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders is defined as a musculoskeletal strain reported by an individual. Physical activity prevents many disabling diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Low level of physical activity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In Saudi Arabia and among medical students, lowest rates of physical activity were found. Our aim is to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its correlation to physical activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 392 health specialty students in Taif University was carried out from January 1 to March 1, 2018, using a predesigned questionnaire, including demographic characteristics, an International Physical Activity Questionnaires-short form to assess the level of physical activity, and Standardized Nordic Questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. RESULTS: Our study found that 64.8% of the students had musculoskeletal disorders. The highest prevalence was among medical students; 48.4% of them were having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). The most frequent region was the lower back (33.4%). There is a significant association between the musculoskeletal disorders and the level of physical activity, with 42.9% of the students with a moderate level of physical activity having musculoskeletal disorders (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is higher among medical than pharmacy and health science students. Most of the affected students were having a moderate level of physical activity. Psychosocial stress seems to be a major contributor to musculoskeletal disorders, rather than physical activity level.
