Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, Bangladesh Health
Professions Institute, Center for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Savar,
Dhaka, Bangladesh | Department of Occupational Therapy, Center for the
Rehabilitation of the Paralysed, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Department of Community Medicine, Bangladesh Institute
of Health Sciences, The Academic Institute of BIRDEM, Mirpur, Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Note: [] Corresponding author: Md. Monjurul Habib, Department of
Occupational Therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI), Center
for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), P.O: CRP-Chapain, Savar,
Dhaka-1343, Bangladesh. Tel.: +88 017 16709253; E-mail:
monjurulshagar@yahoo.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The prevalence of MSS among office workers is
high worldwide, having a significant effect on medical costs, absenteeism, and
quality of life. In Bangladesh, there are many office workers but there is no
data on the prevalence and impact of MSS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
pilot study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSS among paper
based office workers from one local office in order to determine whether or not
an ergonomic intervention is required and the focus of the intervention needed. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 200 paper based
office workers using a proportional stratified random sample. The Standardized
Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence and distribution of
MSS. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 43.0 years with a mean of 12.0 years work experience.
76.0% (n=152) of the respondents reported having MSS during the last 12
months. MSS complaints were reported primarily in the lower back region.
40.5% (n=81) of the respondents reported interruption of their normal
daily activities within the last 12 months reportedly due to MSS. CONCLUSION: The current study showed the high prevalence rate of MSS
among office workers in one workplace in Bangladesh. This was a pilot study,
but it suggests that there is likely a need for further study into office
workers' work sites and work practices to prevent work related injuries.
Keywords: Activities of daily livings (ADLs), impact of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS), future studies
