Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences – Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Science – Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA | [c] Department of Applied Dental Science – Dental Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [d] Medical Education and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [e] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences – Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan | [f] Department of Allied Medical Sciences – Radiology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Khader Almhdawi, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Tel.: +962 27201000 26939; Fax: +962 27201087; E-mail: Khader@just.edu.jo.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Very few articles, comprehensively, investigated musculoskeletal pain symptoms (MPS) among wide variety of allied health professions (AHP) students. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MPS and their associated factors among different AHP majors’ students. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was conducted. A sample of AHP students from nine majors (n= 838, Mean age = 21.3 years) completed a validated structured self-administrated questionnaires including Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), and specific questions regarding demographics and life style. MPS prevalence rate were compared between males and females and between majors. Logistic regression was conducted to identify predictors of MPS. RESULTS: MPS in neck, lower back, and shoulder 12-month were the most prevalent (67.1%, and 61.4%, 58.8% respectively). MPS prevalence was significantly higher in females and statistically different among majors. MPS were significantly associated with increased clinical training load, mental stress symptoms, and smartphone average use time. CONCLUSIONS: MPS in AHP students are prevalent and statistically higher among females. Students are advised to adhere to different conservative precautions and follow prevention programs. Future studies are needed to assess actual mechanisms causing MPS among AHP students and designing effective prevention programs specific to AHP students.
