| Abstrakt: |
Musculoskeletal (MS) pain is a recognized worldwide health issue and remains a significant public health concern. Thus, understanding the potential cause of pain and its associated risk factors play an important role in its prevention. To determine the prevalence of work-related MS pain or discomfort among medical professionals and identify its associated risk factors. Two hundred self-administered questionnaires were distributed to assess the study aims. Only completed questionnaires were used in the data analysis. A majority of the participants had MS pain or discomfort due their current job (85%). The dentists and dental assistants at increased risk for the MS problems compared to the medical doctors, medical nurses and technicians. Body areas which significantly affected by the MS pain or discomfort were the neck, shoulder, and foot (p = 0.05). The upper back, wrist, hand, and knee were also affected (p = 0.001). Above 50% of the participants had interference with work (60%), life outside work (61%), sleep (57%) due to their pain. 59% were using analgesics to relieve the pain. An alarming number of participants had MS pain that impaired their daily activities. Disability from MSD can not only result in absenteeism, but also lead to decrease in the quality of care provided to patients. Hence, the implementation of educational programs emphasizing the risk factors of MS pain might help prevent this in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
