2018, Volume 11, Issue 4, pp 328 – 333

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Iranian Office Workers: Prevalence and Risk Factors

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Authors and Affiliations

Corresponding Author: Mohammad Pourranjbar, Neuroscience Research Centre, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, Tel.: 09133416697; E-mail: mpranjbar@kmu.ac.ir

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomic risks for Kerman University of Medical Sciences’ office workers.

Methods: The study sample comprised all office workers in the University and the sample included 129 women and 121 men. Data on MSDs were derived from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, while ergonomic data were collected through two direct observations via the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and the rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) method.

Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence rates of MSDs were in the lower back (72.4%) and neck (55.2). Results of the postural assessment revealed that 68.8% of the participants’ require “further investigation in order to modify their posture” and 27.6% need to “modify their posture soon.” From the workstation analysis, the majority of the office workers were at a medium (55.2%) and high-risk level (27.6%). Results also revealed a significant association between some of MSDs in the lower back and neck with the RULA and ROSA score.

Conclusions: Based on the results, for the prevention of MSDs, there should be ergonomics workshops for workers to be aware of ergonomics factors in the office. The ergonomics training must also be used in offices; the design of workstations should be improved.

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About this article

PMC ID: 6418332
PubMed ID: 30894890
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2018-0054

Article Publishing Date (print): Oct-Dec 2018
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


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