The Occupational Burden of Osteoarthritis: “Impact on Work Productivity among Healthcare Professionals Symptomatic of Osteoarthritis in Yobe State, Nigeria.”

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a primary driver of global functional disability, yet its epidemiological burden within the healthcare workforce remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in resource-constrained settings like North-Eastern Nigeria. Healthcare professionals are uniquely exposed to a dual-risk profile: mechanical over-loading in clinical roles and sedentary-induced metabolic risks in administrative positions. This study examined the prevalence of OA, the “diagnostic gap” between symptomatic distress and clinical recognition, and the subsequent impact on work productivity among hospital employees in Yobe State. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted across a representative sample of 225 personnel (clinical and administrative) from three key facilities: State Specialist Hospital Damaturu, General Hospital Potiskum, and General Hospital Fika. Data were captured using a multistage stratified random sampling approach. Standardized instruments, including a socio-demographic inventory and the SF-36 Health Survey, were utilized to evaluate clinical characteristics, occupational demands, and productivity metrics (absenteeism and presenteeism). Results: The study identified a high symptomatic prevalence of 63.1% (n = 142), characterized by inactivity-induced joint stiffness. However, formal physician diagnosis was confirmed in only 48.0% (n = 108), revealing a 15.1% “Diagnostic Gap”. The knee was the most frequently affected joint (56.9%). While clinical staff reported higher rates of mechanical joint degradation, administrative staff demonstrated significant risks associated with sedentary-related OA. Presenteeism emerged as a more pervasive contributor to productivity loss than absenteeism, with pain severity inversely correlating with work efficiency. Notably, biological sex was a significant predictor of physical quality of life, with female staff demonstrating significantly lower Physical Component Scores (PCS) than their male counterparts (p = 0.039). Conclusion: OA constitutes a formidable occupational health threat within the Yobe State healthcare sector, characterized by a high volume of untreated morbidity. These findings underscore an urgent requirement for tailored workplace wellness programs: ergonomic assistive devices for high-activity clinical staff and “active office” interventions for sedentary personnel. Bridging the diagnostic gap through institutionalized screening is essential to preserve health service delivery and the functional integrity of the regional workforce.