Affiliations: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Arzu Genç, Dokuz Eylül University, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, İzmir, TR 35340, Turkey. Tel.: +90 2324124943; Fax: +90 2324124946; E-mail:arzu.genc@deu.edu.tr
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The musculoskeletal problems (MSP) vary among different
occupations since they had different characteristics and physical workloads.
Therefore, it is important to know the difference between the occupational
groups to design preventing physiotherapy interventions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence differences of MSPs and
related physical workload among hospital staff. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 416 hospital staff
completed the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for MSP and Physical
Workload Questionnaire for assessing the physical workload. RESULTS: One-year prevalence of low back, neck, upper back, and
shoulders were 73.8%, 59.9%, 59.4%, and 52.2%,
respectively. The most preventing MSPs from work found in the low
back (39.2%), upper back (26.7%), and the neck (24.5%).
MSP of low back impacted nurses the most with a 1-year prevalence of
81.3% and 57.1% of nurses were prevented from working. Nurses, service
and cleaning staff had significantly more physical workload than secretaries
and physicians. CONCLUSIONS: MSP of low back had the highest prevalence among
hospital staff and it was the leading cause which prevented from working.
Nurses were the most in danger in terms of MSPs among hospital staff.
Physical workload was significantly higher in nurses, service and cleaning
staff than secretaries and physicians.
