Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among medical laboratory technologists in Dhaka city: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms are one of the most common occupational disease. It is an important issue worldwide. Medical Laboratory technologists are exceptional group of health care professionals who are at risk for developing work related musculoskeletal symptoms. Aim: The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among medical laboratory technologists in Dhaka city. Methods: The study followed a cross sectional quantitative design by conducting face-to-face survey among 158 participants who worked in a hospital more than one year. Standardized questionnaire, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to find out the prevalence of WMSDs of this population were used to collect data. Descriptive analysis was used by SPSS 26 to analyse the data. Results: 78 male and 80 female with mean age 31.27, SD (5.971) responded to the survey. 99.4% medical laboratory technologists experienced MSDs. 78 male and 79 female medical laboratory technologists was experienced MSDs problems in any parts of the body region. Last 12 months prevalence of MSDs found, neck was 91.4%, shoulder was 75.3%, elbow was 20.3%, wrists/hands score was 32.3%, upper back was 5.7%, lower back was 12.7%, hips/thighs/buttocks was 26.6%, knees was 15.8% and ankles/feet was 4.4% . The most affected body region by musculoskeletal symptoms was found neck, shoulders, wrists/hand, one or both hips/thighs/buttocks and elbows. Conclusion: Medical laboratory technologists are at a high risk of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders and it is very much necessary to take appropriate and effective corrective preventive action to prevent them from Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders reoccurrence. Keywords: Prevalence, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Medical Laboratory Technologists