Prevalence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders in New Zealand nurses, postal workers and office workers

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the prevalence, characteristics and impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in New Zealand nurses, postal workers and office workers. Methods: A postal survey asked participants about MSDs, (low back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand or knee pain lasting longer than one day), and demographic, physical and psychosocial factors. Nurses were randomly selected from the Nursing Council database, postal workers from their employer's database and office workers from the 2005 electoral roll. Results: The response rate of potentially eligible participants was 58% (n=443). Participants were aged 20–59 years; 86% were female. Over the 12 months prior to the survey 88% of respondents had at least one MSD lasting longer than a day and 72% reported an MSD present for at least seven days. Of the 1,003 MSDs reported, 18% required time off work and 24% required modified work duties. In the month prior to the survey 17% of MSDs made functional tasks difficult or impossible. Low back, neck and shoulder pain prevalence did not differ by occupation. Postal workers had the highest prevalence of elbow and wrist/hand pain; nurses of knee pain. Conclusions: The high prevalence of MSDs among these workers indicates that they are indeed in ‘at risk’ occupations. In each occupational group MSDs encompass a range of anatomical sites, however the overall pattern of MSDs differs by occupation. MSDs have a significant impact on activities at work and home. Implications: Primary and secondary prevention strategies should encompass a range of anatomical sites and specifically target different occupational groups.

Musculoskeletal disorder: Risk factors and coping strategies among nurses

“…We also identified an overall prevalence of MSD as 97%, which was higher than the prevalence of MSD reported by previous studies, conducted at different settings. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Different body sites were taken into consideration in the analysis and we observed neck, shoulder, upper back and lower back as the most prominent areas which are affected, but among the four only two body sites, the neck and shoulder demonstrated statistical significance. However, according to Yan P et al (2017) the most commonly affected regions were lower back, neck,shoulder, and back, with an annual prevalence of 62.71%, 59.77%, 49.66%, and 39.50%, respectively.…”

Prevalence Rate of Postural Damages, Disorders and Anomalies Among Computer Users

“…As an instance, in 2006, the number of PCs in the U.S., a developed country, was estimated to be about 240 million sets, and in Iran, a developing country, it was about 7.5 million sets [9]. According to research findings, a long-term use of computers can cause musculoskeletal problems in the upper-body parts, especially the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers [9,12]. Millions of computer users worldwide are susceptible to the risk of sore limbs.…”

“…The prevalence and risk factors of these diseases in developing countries are being investigated [7]. The relevant risk factors are yet not completely known [9]. Previous studies have also revealed that sore neck and shoulder are significantly correlated with lower health state and quality of life [10].…”

“…The results of a study on computer users in New Zealand showed that sore limbs is the most common musculoskeletal side effect in 81% of the subjects [9]. The prevalence and risk factors of these diseases in developing countries are being investigated [7].…”

Combined Effects of Physical Demands and Shift Working on Low Back Disorders Among Nursing Personnel

“…Barzideh, Choobineh, Tabatabaee, et al reported that physical job demands were associated with prevalence of MSDs among nurses [1]. Nursing work involves demanding physical activities such as lifting heavy objects, often in awkward postures, which sometimes entails forceful movements of the upper limbs [9]. Combination of compression, rotation, flexion and direct forces during patient transferring also increases the risk of injuries [10,11,12].…”