Abstract
BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent in working populations and could result in a number of detrimental consequences. In China, healthcare professionals (HCP) in large hospitals may be likely to suffer from MSDs considering the facts of shortages in medical staff, the large Chinese population base, the aging of the population and patients’ inclination to go to large hospitals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among HCP working in tertiary hospitals.MethodsA self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was conducted among 14,720 HCP in eight tertiary hospitals selected by random cluster sampling in Shandong, China. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to quantify the association of psychological, ergonomic, organizational and individual factors with MSDs.ResultsThe 12-month period prevalence rate of experiencing an MSD in at least one body region for at least 24 h, experiencing an MSD for at least three months, and seeking health care for this condition were 91.2, 17.1 and 68.3%, respectively; these rates were highest for the lower back (72.8, 14.3, 60.3%) and knees (65.7, 8.1, 46.7%), followed by the shoulders (52.1, 6.2, 38.9%), neck (47.6, 4.8, 32.6%), wrists/hands (31.1, 3.2, 23.1%), ankles/feet (23.6, 1.9, 13.4%), upper back, hips/thighs and elbows.MSDs were associated with workload (work hours per week, break times during workday), psychological factors (psychological fatigue, mental stress), employment status and ergonomic factors. Regarding the ergonomic factors, lower back MSDs were associated with bending the trunk frequently, heavy or awkward lifting, and bending or twisting the neck; knee MSDs were associated with walking or standing for long periods of time; and shoulder MSDs were associated with maintaining shoulder abduction for long periods of time and bending or twisting the neck.ConclusionsMSDs among HCP in tertiary hospitals in Mainland China were highly prevalent. The many factors listed above should be considered in the prevention of MSDs in HCP.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent in working populations and could result in a number of detrimental consequences
The sample can be considered representative of healthcare professionals (HCP) working in tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China
We found that MSDs were common among HCP working in tertiary hospitals, with the most frequently reported MSDs in the lower back, knee, shoulder and neck regions
Summary
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent in working populations and could result in a number of detrimental consequences. In China, healthcare professionals (HCP) in large hospitals may be likely to suffer from MSDs considering the facts of shortages in medical staff, the large Chinese population base, the aging of the population and patients’ inclination to go to large hospitals. Healthcare professionals (HCP) in hospitals, as a special occupational group, engage in a large number of job-related tasks and experience relatively high levels of mental stress while caring for patients [14, 15]. Considering shortages in medical staff, the large Chinese population base, an aging population, and unevenly distributed medical resources, the workload of HCP may be heavy, especially in general hospitals, which could result in extended working hours or an increased pace of the work and subsequently expose HCP to additional hazards. Long working hours and intense schedules could lead to high levels of mental stress and fatigue in the workplace, which could aggravate MSDs
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