Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal complaints among health workers in clinical wards, examining the relationship between these complaints and various work-related and personal variables. Conducted between December 2022 and April 2023, this descriptive study utilized a non-probability, voluntary sample of 100 health workers. Results indicated that 26% of participants reported lower back pain, 49% arm or neck complaints, 44% regular back pain, and 51% leg complaints. Key risk factors included extended work hours without breaks (67%), time pressure (33%), lifting (45%), and stooping (54%). Despite high medium-risk exposure (85%), no participants reported high-risk levels. This study highlights the significant burden of WMSDs among clinical healthcare workers and underscores the need for interventions to reduce duce these risks and improve occupational health.

Highlight:

• Prevalence: A significant portion of healthcare workers reported musculoskeletal complaints, with 51% experiencing leg pain and 49% arm or neck pain.
• Risk Factors: Key risk factors identified include prolonged work hours without breaks (67%), time pressure (33%), lifting (45%), and stooping (54%).
• Implications: The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to mitigate WMSDs and improve the occupational health of clinical healthcare workers.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Healthcare Workers, Risk Factors, Occupational Health, Clinical Wards

Introduction

Healthcare professionals are known to be at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders and they are exposed to occupational hazards and risks (e.g., Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are associated with these factors [1]. Work postures and movements, Repetitiveness and pace of work, Force of movements. Lack of influence or control over one's job. Discomfort and fatigue if they are maintained for long periods. Standing, for example, is a natural body posture, and by itself poses no particular health hazards. However, working long periods in a standing position can cause sore feet, general muscular fatigue, and lower back pain. In addition, improper layout of work areas, and certain tasks. Can make health workers use unnatural standing positions. Repetitive movements are especially hazardous when they involve the same joints and muscle groups over and over and when we do the same motion too often, too quickly, and for too long [2, 3]. Work involving repeated movement over and over is very tiring because the health worker cannot fully recover in the short periods between movements. Eventually, it takes more effort to perform the same repetitive movements. When the work activity continues despite the fatigue, injuries can occur [4].

The primary functions of the musculoskeletal system include enabling motion, offering protection, supporting the body, and maintaining body homeostasis. Overexertion, fatigue, prolonged loads, insufficient oxygen, and repetitive activities can reduce muscle contraction [5]. Lack of rest may induce injury risks. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) Involve pain and inflammation in body tissues (e.g., muscles, tendons, and nerves), reduced motor function, or muscle/bone discomfort caused by the continuous exertion of force and repeated movements [6]. Generally, MSDs are soft tissue inflammation in the body or degenerative diseases such as tendinitis, muscle strain, joint degeneration, nerve compression, or tenosynovitis. Symptoms of MSDs include pain, soreness, swelling, and restriction of posture angle. In addition to acute trauma, MSDs are mostly caused by chronic injuries attributable to long-term poor posture, repetitive movements, improper force exertion, and overloading [7].

In the healthcare sector, studies with thousands of workers show that high physical exertion during patient handling and transfer increases the risk of developing chronic low-back and knee pain in workers without prior pain [8] Sickness absence [9], Disability pension [10].

Individual factors,while the physical workload is the most substantial direct risk factor for MSDs, individual factors also contribute (AgeandLifestyle), as psychological factors (conflicting instructions and responsibilities, time pressure, or the Lack of control over the worker’s work) [11].

Some of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain and movement problems are (Aging, Arthritis Pain, inflammation, and joint stiffness result from arthritis. Back problems: Back pain and muscle spasms can result from muscle strains or injuries like a herniated disk. Some conditions, including spinal stenosis and scoliosis, cause structural problems in your back, leading to pain and limited mobility. Cancer: Several types of cancer affect the musculoskeletal system, including bone cancer. Tumors that grow in connective tissue (sarcomas) can cause pain and problems with movement [12].

Congenital abnormalities: Also known as birth defects, congenital abnormalities can affect the body’s appearance, structure, and function. Disease: A wide range of diseases affect how bones, muscles, and connective tissues work. Some, such as osteonecrosis, cause bones to deteriorate and die. Other disorders, such as fibrous dysplasia and brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), cause bones to fracture easily [13]. Injuries: Hundreds of injuries can affect bones, cartilage, muscles, and connective tissues. Injuries can result from overuse, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendinitis. Sprains, muscle tears, broken bones, and injuries to tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues can result from accidents and trauma [14].

Methods

A descriptive study was used in this study.This design was carried out to achieve the aims of the present study Risk factors” and musculoskeletal complaints in health workers working in clinical wards. The research was conducted between the periods from 5 December 2022 to 1st April 2023. The study was conducted by collecting data for the researcher through the interview questionnaire to medical care workers at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and Qurna General Hospital.

Random sampling (probability) of (100) medical care workers. Sixty-five samples were collected from Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and 35 samples were collected from Qurna General Hospital. This scale is an interview self-reported instrument. As independent variables, this study focuses on the part that includes socio-demographic data and the part that includes risk factors for the skeletal system to which the medical staff is exposed.

The data collection started by using a questionnaire format and fill-out sampling was obtained by health care workers in the hospital Several statistical measures were used by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, and Microsoft Excel (2016) to analyze and evaluate the results of the study.

Results and Discussion

A. Results

Figure 1. Distribution of the Variables Related Demographic Characteristics health staff, N = 100

According to this table, the study shows 40% of participants were at age (18-28). This study contains females (64%). As regards the level of education most of the study samples (46%) were graduates of the Institute. As regards the years of Experience (63%) were 1 – 9 years. Among all, 72% of the participants were married. Participants who have another job (48%), and who have evening shifting (54%), and Participants who have a job on holiday (45%), so the results show that 26% of Participants have lower back, and only 34% of participants were smokers.

Figure 2. The results of risk factors on the Musculoskeletal Cryptosystem for health staff, N= 100 (Part 1)

Figure 3. The results of risk factors on the Musculoskeletal Cryptosystem for health staff, N= 100 (Part 2)

Figure 4. The results of risk factors on the Musculoskeletal Cryptosystem for health staff, N= 100 (Part 3)

Figure 5. Results of the Evaluation of risk factors on the Musculoskeletal system for health staff, N= 100 (Part 1)

Figure 6. Results of the Evaluation of risk factors on the Musculoskeletal system for health staff, N= 100 (Part 2)

Table (4) shows the high percentage regarding medium risk factors of the musculoskeletal system for the health staff was 85%, while the low level was 15% and the high level of risk was 0%.

B. Discussion

In this study, we tried to get a better insight into the risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints in health workers working in clinical wards.

This study shows that (40%) their age was (18 – 28), (37%) were (29-39), and (23%) were (more than 39). This result disagrees with [15] who found that (16.4%) were at the age (19-29), (30.8%) at the age (30-39), (34.0%) were at age (40-49) and (15.1%) at age ≥ 50, this may be due to the age of employment at that country.

The study shows that (64%) were female and (36%) were male. This result agrees with the findings of [16] who found that (84.3%) were female and (14.9%) were male, this may be because most participants were women.

Regarding the number of years of experience (63%) were 1 – 9 years, (28%) were 10 – 15 years, and (9%) were more than 15. This result disagrees [17], who found that (17.8%) were job duration 1-5 and (82.2%) were > 5. This difference in results suggests that due to new employees.

The study shows that (54%) have worked an evening shift at work and (46%) not have. This result agrees with [18] who found (61.4%) have worked an evening shift at work and (38.6%) did not have, this may be because most participants prefer to work night shifts.

The study shows that (26%) have low back and (74%) do not have. This result agrees with [19] who found that (34%) have low back and (66%) do not. This suggests that age differences (Few elderly people) or duration of Job of the health staff.

The study shows that (34%) were smokers and (66%) were not another study found that (3.6%) were smokers and (96.4%) were not smokers this may be because most of the participants were women and did not smoke cigarettes.

the study shows that prevalence of arm or neck complaints (49%), In another study [20] found that (the prevalence of Arm or neck complaints was (30%), This could be due to the type of questioning [20] asked for information on ongoing musculoskeletal symptoms, the proportion of subjects with regular back complaints found in this study was (44%), another study found that the prevalence of regular back complaints was (45%). This could be due to different definitions of back pain or back complaints in the various studies.

Conclusion

This study provided risk factors” and musculoskeletal complaints in health workers working in clinical wards Through self-reported (subjective) Surveys, this study explored the demographic information and risks of the skeletal system on health staff and found that the proportion of females more than males, Majority of samples were at age (18-28), Majority of samples were worked at evening shift. The majority of samples have work on holidays. A small percentage of the participants have lower back, The outcome for those exposed to a medium risk score.

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