Prevalence, workplace risk factors and coping strategies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders cause a significant occupational problem for healthcare workers (HCWs). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the prevalence, associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies for work-related musculoskeletal disorders among HCWs working in five hospitals in Faisalabad, Pakistan. METHODS: A previously used validated questionnaire, which consisted of four sections, including demographic information, occupational health questions, and associated occupational risk factors and coping strategies, was used as a survey tool to collect data on health workers working in five hospitals located in the Faisalabad District. RESULTS: The finding of this study revealed that 7-day and 12-month prevalence rates of WMSDs were 1226 (83.45%) and 1107 (75.35%) respectively among HCWs and most common WMSDs was low back pain 576 (39.2%) followed by the neck 217 (15%) and ankles 186 (13%) according to body sites. The probability of developing WRMSDs was higher among physiotherapists (OR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.39-9.51), participants with rank 18 (OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.18-7.96), and HCWs who work in primary care (OR = 8.94, 95% CI: 3.47-23.04). The most important risk factor reported was treating an excessive number of patients in one day (66.8%). The main coping strategies reported in this study were to get someone else to help in handling a heavy patient (90%). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the most prevalent WMSD among HCWs was lower back pain. Sedentary lifestyle was shown to be a positive risk factor for acquiring WMSDs. Additionally, the primary risk factor discovered was treating an excessive number of patients, probably owing to a shortage of healthcare staff.

Extensor lag in patients after total knee arthroplasty with and without pre-operative rehabilitation regime: A short report.

Total knee arthroplasty is gaining popularity in individuals with advanced stages of knee osteoarthritis among the affording economic class. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of preoperative rehabilitation in the management of post-operative quadriceps lag. The study design was non-randomised clinical study conducted from January 2017 to March 2017 at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Non probability convenient sampling technique was applied to collect data of 30 patients with TKA. The data was collected by self-designed questionnaire, and goniometric range of knee extension was used as the main outcome. Independent sample t-test was applied to assess the difference between the groups. The mean age of the patients was 64.37±11.66 years. The mean score for Extensor Lag with pre-operative rehabilitation regime was 12.53º±36.57º and without this regime it was 23.20º±79.18º (p value 0.005 & t-value -3.035). The study shows a correlation between increased post-operative extensor lag and pre-operative rehabilitation regime.

Ergonomic risk factors among computer office workers for complaints of arm, neck and shoulder and workstation evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested an association between computer work and the development of musculoskeletal disorders. However, studies examining the workplace ergonomics assessment of computer offices are scarce in the Pakistani population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of ergonomic risk factors in the office using the Rapid Assessment Office Strain (ROSA) method for complaints of arm, neck and shoulder (CANS) among office computer workers. METHODS: From January to August 2019, a cross-sectional study was carried out among office workers who worked at least three hours on computers in their daily work. The prevalence of CANS was measured by using the Maastricht Upper Extremity Questionnaire (MUEQ) and work station evaluation was done by using Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA). Data were collected from 773 computer workers, of whom 443 (56%) worked in the information technology sector, 215 (28%) in industry and 124 (16%) in universities. SPSS version 20 was used for data entry and analysis. RESULTS: Out of 773 computer workers, 448 (58%) reported musculoskeletal pain and the most prevalent were shoulder pain (327, 42%) and neck pain (270, 35%). The mean scores of ROSA sections A, B, C and D were 4.00±0.82, 2.98±0.72, 3.49±0.67 and 3.61±0.72 respectively. The mean ROSA total score in 773 office computer workers was 4.19±0.78, which indicates a low risk of musculoskeletal complaints. There was significant association was found between ROSA section A and shoulder pain (P = 0.043), ROSA section C with complaints of lower arm (P = 0.013), wrist (P = 0.016), and hand pain (P = 0.005), ROSA section D with lower arm (P = 0.002), wrist (P = 0.004) and hand complaints (P = 0.002). A significant association was found between ROSA total score and complaints of shoulder and hand, with p values of 0.012 and 0.006, respectively. CONCLUSION: CANS are prevalent among computer office workers, and there is a significant relationship between CANS and workstation ergonomics.