Prevalence of common work-related musculoskeletal disorders among population of Najran University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Work related musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational problems, which mostly affect the neck, upper and lower back. The objective of this study was to identify the musculoskeletal disorders among the employees of Najran University, KSA. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the two sixty nine employees of Najran University during the period of January 2019 to September 2019. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire and a standardized Nordic questionnaire. Results: 269 employees of Najran University participated in this study; the mean age of participants was 39.35 ± 7.2. Most of participants 56.1% were overweight. The mean value of working experience was 6.8 ± 3.0, mean value of pain in off days past three year was 2.06 ± 8.7. Working hour was counted with mean value 7.13 ± 1.80. Mean value of walking activity was 33.45 ± 32.07 and exercise was 10.07 ± 21.4. Mean value of daily uses of computer was 5.01 ± 2.2 and cell phone was 4.65 ± 3.0, Upper and lower extremity multiple problem was found significant with qualification of participants. Conclusions: Most of the participants have musculoskeletal pain/ discomfort. The most affected region identified was low back and participants reported pain in this region. Few participants complained of neck pain. However, the other regions such as shoulder, wrist/ forearm, upper back, knee and ankle were found to be minimally affected. Association was found in personal and working place characteristics in different region of pain.