Epidemiological Patterns of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Workers in Five Reference Hospitals in the City of Douala, Cameroon
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs among Healthcare workers in five reference hospitals in the City of Douala-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 561 healthcare workers working in five reference hospitals in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaires; data on the demographics and risk factors were collected using a well-designed questionnaire, while estimation of the prevalence of WRMSDs was done using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was 83.4% (468/561). The prevalence per professional groups was as follows: 88.8% (71) for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), 81.9% (289) for nurses, 21 (80.8%) for Physiotherapists (PTs) and 78.8% (41) for Medical Doctors (MDs). There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in the prevalence of WRMSDs with respect to place of work where healthcare workers from HLD recorded the highest prevalence 89.9%, while Healthcare workers from NBDH were 2.91 times at risk (AOR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.32 - 6.41; p = 0.001) to develop WRMSDs than healthcare workers in the other hospitals. With respect to body region, the highest prevalence of WRMSDs was recorded on the lower back, 58.8% with the lowest at the elbows 11.2%. The age group 30 to 39 years was significantly associated with WRMSDs at level of the shoulder (p = 0.002), upper back (p = 0.019), elbows (p < 0.001), knees (p = 0.006) and ankle/feet (p = 0.047). Working on the same position (AOR = 2.90; 95% CI = 1.74 - 4.83; p = 0.001), working with vibrating objects (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.10 - 3.40; p = 0.022) and job stress (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.14 - 3.20; p = 0.014) were non-demographic risk factors associated with WRMSDs. Conclusion: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was high. The prevalence of WRMSDs is highest among MLS and nurses and the most affected body parts are; lower back, neck and upper back. Working on the same posture, stressful job, and repetitive tasks were the major risk factors associated to WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals.
References
[1]
Yang, S., Li, L., Wang, L., Zeng, J. and Li, Y. (2020) Risk Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in China: A Structural Equation Model Approach. Asian Nursing Research, 14, 241-248. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1976131720300669 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2020.08.004
[2]
Anap, D.B., Iyer, C. and Rao, K. (2013) Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Hospital Nurses in Rural Maharashtra, India: A Multi Centre Survey. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 1, 101-107. https://doi.org/10.5455/2320-6012.ijrms20130513
[3]
El Far, H.E., Albitar, E.A.E.F., Araby, E.M., Nabil, N. and Hassan, O.M. (2020) Patterns of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Health Care Workers. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 81, 2325-2334. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhm.2020.131251
[4]
Munabi, I.G., Buwembo, W., Kitara, D.L., Ochieng, J. and Mwaka, E.S. (2014) Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Factors among Nursing Professionals in Low Resource Settings: A Cross-Sectional Study in Uganda. BMC Nursing, 13, Article No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-13-7
[5]
Buh, F.C., Kuate-Takam, A.B., Vusheng, V. and Ngeh, E. (2021) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses and Physiotherapists in Douala. International Journal of Advanced Research and Review, 6, 35-47.
[6]
Kinaci, E. and AtaoĞLu, S. (2020) Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among the Physiotherapists: Sample of a Region in Turkey. Türkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, 5, 495-502. https://doi.org/10.5336/healthsci.2019-71762
[7]
Vaidya, A., Sainju, N.K. and Joshi, S.K. (2015) Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Surgeons Working in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 5, 6-10. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v5i2.17948
[8]
Chiwaridzo, M., Makotore, V., Dambi, J.M., Munambah, N. and Mhlanga, M. (2018) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Registered General Nurses: A Case of a Large Central Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. BMC Research Notes, 11, Article No. 315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3412-8
[9]
Tariah, H.A., Nafai, S., Alajmi, M., Almutairi, F. and Alanazi, B. (2020) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nurses Working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work (Reading, Mass.), 65, 421-428. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203094
[10]
Yasobant, S. and Rajkumar, P. (2014) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Health Care Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Risk Factors in a Tertiary Hospital, India. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 18, 75-81. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5278.146896
[11]
Kgakge, K., Hlongwa, M. and Ginindza, T. (2021) The Distribution of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol. Systematic Reviews, 10, Article No. 229. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01774-7
[12]
Esembeson, M., Abia, W., Longdoh, N.A., Cyrille, N., Mokake, D., Nde-Fon, P., Ngunde, P.J. and Halle-Ekane, G.E. (2020) Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Risk Factors amongst Nurses of Buea and Tiko Health Districts, South West Region, Cameroon. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development, 4, 1216-1223.
[13]
Ngunde, P.J., Akade, N.-B.N., Solange, D.M., et al. (2021) Musculoskeletal Disorders among Workers in the Cameroon Railways Corporation-Camrail, Douala, Cameroon. Revue de Médecine et de Pharmacie, 10, 3-4.
[14]
Shaikh, S., Siddiqui, A.A., Alshammary, F., Amin, J. and Agwan, M.A.S. (2021) Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Workers: Prevalence and Risk Factors in the Arab World. In: Laher, I., Ed., Handbook of Healthcare in the Arab World, Springer, Cham, 1-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74365-3_129-1
[15]
Kuorinka, I., Jonsson, B., Kilbom, A., Vinterberg, H., Biering-Sørensen, F., Andersson, G., et al. (1987) Standardised Nordic Questionnaires for the Analysis of Musculoskeletal Symptoms. Applied Ergonomics, 18, 233-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-X
[16]
Ethiopian Ministry of Health (2020) Facts Sheets Ethiopia 202: Human Resource for Health. https://www.moh.gov.et/site/fact-sheets#:~:text=Human%20Resource%20for%20Health%3A&text=Regarding%20health%20professional%20to%20population,more%20than%2017%2C000%20health%20posts
[17]
Collins, F.S., Glass, R.I., Whitescarver, J., Wakefield, M. and Goosby, E.P. (2010) Public Health. Developing Health Workforce Capacity in Africa. Science, 330, 1324-1325. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1199930
[18]
Kofi-Bediako, A.A., Sama, G., Yarfi, C., Ed-Bansah, D. and Acquah, A.A. (2021) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses at the Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Proceedings of the 2021 HFES 65th International Annual Meeting, Baltimore, 4-7 October 2021, 1291-1294. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181321651342
[19]
Krishnan, K.S., Raju, G. and Shawkataly, O. (2021) Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Psychological and Physical Risk Factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, Article No. 9361. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179361
[20]
Yang, S., Lu, J.M., Zeng, J.Q., Wang, L.Q. and Li, Y.L. (2018) Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Intensive Care Unit Nurses in China. Workplace Health & Safety, 67, 275-287. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165079918809107
[21]
Cavallari, J.M., Ahuja, M., Dugan, A.G., Meyer, J.D., Simcox, N., Wakai, S. and Garza, J.L. (2016) Differences in the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Female and Male Custodians. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59, 841-852. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22626
[22]
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (2008) Women More Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders. https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/article/2008/women-more-at-risk-of-musculoskeletal-disorders
[23]
Milhem, M., Kalichman, L., Ez-ra, D. and Alperovitch-Najenson, D. (2016) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Physical Therapists: A Comprehensive Narrative Review. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 29, 735-747. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00620
[24]
Ellapen, T.J. and Narsigan, S. (2014) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nurses: Systematic Review. Journal of Ergonomics, S4, S4-003. https://doi.org/10.4172/2165-7556.S4-003
[25]
Vieira, E.R., Schneider, P., Guidera, C., Gadotti, I.C. and Brunt, D. (2016) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Physical Therapists: A Systematic Review. BMR, 29, 417-428. https://doi.org/10.3233/BMR-150649
[26]
Chen, C.Y., et al. (2022) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Physical Therapists in Taiwan. Medicine, 101, e28885. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000028885
[27]
Rambabu, T. and Suneetha, K. (2014) Prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Physicians, Surgeons and Dentists: A Comparative Study. Annals of Medical and Health Science Research, 4, 578-582. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.139327
[28]
López-González, M.J., González, S. and González-Menéndez, E. (2021) Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Problems in Laboratory Technicians. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 27, 840-851. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2019.1646531
[29]
Mekonnen, T.H. (2019) Work-Related Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among Nurse Professionals in East and West Wollega Zones, Western Ethiopia, 2017: A Cross-Sectional Study. Pain and Therapy, 8, 239-247. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40122-019-0129-x
[30]
Jacquier-Bret, J. and Gorce, P. (2023) Prevalence of Body Area Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20, Article No. 841. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010841
[31]
Latina, R., Petruzzo, A., Vignally, P., Cattaruzza, M.S., Vetri Buratti, C., Mitello, L., Giannarelli, D. and D’Angelo, D. (2020) The Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Low Back Pain among Italian Nurses: An Observational Study. Acta Biomedica, 91, e2020003.
[32]
Ramond-Roquin, A., Bodin, J., Serazin, C., Parot-Schinkel, E., Ha, C., Richard, I., Petit Le Manach, A., Fouquet, N. and Roquelaure, Y. (2015) Biomechanical Constraints Remain Major Risk Factors for Low Back Pain. Results from a Prospective Cohort Study in French Male Employees. The Spine Journal, 15, 559-569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2013.05.040
[33]
Larese, F. and Fiorito, A. (1994) Musculoskeletal Disorders in Hospital Nurses: A Comparison between Two Hospitals. Ergonomics, 37, 1205-1211. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139408964898
[34]
Munabi, I.G., Buwembo, W., Kitara, D.L., Ochieng, J., Nabirye, R.C. and Mwaka, E.S. (2014) Musculoskeletal Disorders among Nursing Staff: A Comparison of Five Hospitals in Uganda. The Pan African Medical Journal, 17, Article No. 81. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.17.81.3213
[35]
Okunribido, O. and Wynn, T. (2010) Ageing and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of Recent Literature. Contemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors, Buxton, 50 p.
[36]
Medline Plus. Aging Changes in the Bones-Muscles-Joints 2023. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004015.htm#:~:text=Muscles%20may% 20become%20rigid%20with,tone%2C%20even%20with%20regular%20exercise.&text=Bones%20become%20more%20brittle%20and,pain%2C%20stiffness%2C%20and%20deformity
[37]
Ganesan, S., Acharya, A.S., Chauhan, R. and Acharya, S. (2017) Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in 1355 Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Spine Journal, 11, 610-617. https://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2017.11.4.610
[38]
Andrasfay, T., Raymo, N., Goldman, N. and Pebley, A.R. (2021) Physical Work Conditions and Disparities in Later Life Functioning: Potential Pathways. SSM— Population Health, 16, Article ID: 100990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100990
[39]
Oranye, N.O. and Bennett, J. (2018) Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal and Non-Musculoskeletal Injuries in Health Care Workers: The Implications for Work Disability Management. Ergonomics, 61, 355-366. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2017.1361552
[40]
Heidari, M., Borujeni, M.G., Rezaei, P. and Kabirian Abyaneh, S. (2019) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Factors in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 26, 122-130. https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2019.26.2.13
