Effect of Occupational Factors on Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Insurance Office Employees: A Case Study

Abstract

Introduction: The job of insurance employees demands prolonged sitting in the office and they are overworked, which can cause musculoskeletal pain through constant stress on the musculoskeletal system. Objective: The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among insurance office employees and to analyze the effect of the occupational factors on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Method: The survey was carried out at various insurance offices in Punjab (India). The population consists of 182 insurance office employees is studied using questionnaire on duration of office work, frequency of rest break, daily travelling hours, work place layout and musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, wrists, upper back, lower back and forearm were 58.2, 38.4, 13.1, 28.5, 46.1 and 7.6%, respectively. Frequency of rest break once in more than 4 h was strongly associated with all MSD’s in all body regions. The travelling hours of more than 3 h/day related to work is also associated with upper back pain and low back pain. Conclusion: The musculoskeletal symptoms are associated strongly with frequency of rest break, travelling time for work and perception of workplace ergonomics. A high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms were observed in neck, lower back, shoulder, and lower back pain among insurance office employees.