Background To assess the prevalence and awareness of ergonomics and physical activities in controlling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dental students, interns, and postgraduates at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University through a validated self-administered questionnaire. It was distributed among dental students from the fourth academic year to postgraduate level. Results A total of 402 students responded to the questionnaire; 337 (83.8%) reported suffering from musculoskeletal pain with 67.7% of participants did not take any measures to alleviate their symptoms and the majority reported limited physical activity. Females reported significantly higher MSD symptoms than males. Based on the location of the MSD pain, lower back pain (56.5%), neck pain (56.2%) and shoulder (50%) were the most frequently reported MSDs. There was a statistically significant difference in pain at various academic levels with undergraduate students reporting more pain than interns and postgraduate students (P= 0.009). The dental students' awareness of ergonomics and MSDs was found to be insufficient. Conclusion The prevalence of work-related MSDs is high among dental students at King Abdulaziz University, and awareness of ergonomics and MSDs among dental students is limited.
BACKGROUND: Dentistry is a profession that demands a high level of physical work and excessive repetitive movements in strained positions, both of which are risk factors for developing musculoskeletal pain (MS-P). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the awareness of ergonomics and physical activities in controlling MS-P among dental students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at a university dental hospital in Saudi Arabia, through a validated self-administered questionnaire, distributed to undergraduates and postgraduate’s dental students. RESULTS: Out of 402 students responded to the questionnaire, 337(83.8%) reported suffering from MS-P with 67.7% of participants did not take any measures to alleviate their symptoms and the majority reported limited physical activity. Females reported significantly higher MS-P than males. Lower back (56.5%), neck (56.2%) and shoulder (50%) were the most frequently reported MS-P. Unexpectedly, undergraduate reporting significantly more pain than interns and postgraduate students (P = 0.009). The dental students’ awareness of ergonomics and MSDs were insufficient. CONCLUSION: Physical activity, student’s awareness of MSD and ergonomics were the major factors for controlling MS-Ps. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of enhancing students’ knowledge of the importance of controlling work-related MS-P, especially during their university educational hours.
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