Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy, University of Pernambuco – UPE Campus Petrolina, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
| [b]
University Hospital of the São Francisco Valley Federal University (HU-UNIVASF), Petrolina, PE, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Professor Dr. Francis Trombini-Souza, Physical Therapy Department, University of Pernambuco Campus Petrolina, Rodovia BR 203, Km 2, s/n – Vila Eduardo, Petrolina – PE, 56328-903, Brazil. Tel.: +55 87 3866 6470; E-mail: francis.trombini@upe.br.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Several professionals in hospitals can be affected by work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). OBJECTIVE:To evaluate and compare the body posture and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms of employees in the healthcare and administrative section of a university hospital. METHODS:Body posture and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms of 106 employees were quantitatively evaluated. The sample was divided into two groups: health care group (HCG) composed of 57 professionals (88% were females) with an average age of 34±7 years, mass of 66.52±14.78 kg, height of 1.62±0.07 m, and body mass index (BMI) of 25.37±4.50 kg/m2; and the administrative section group (ADMG) composed of 49 professionals (57% were females) with an average age of 30±7 years, mass of 74.90±14.12 kg, height of 1.68±0.09 m, and BMI of 26.76±4.40 kg/m2. RESULTS:The only significant difference between groups for the body posture was the greater right Q-angle in the CG (p = 0.039). Self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in the seven days prior to assessment were not associated with work section. CONCLUSION:The work section within the university hospital did not influence body posture or self-reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms among the healthcare and administrative staff.
