The effect of mental workload and work posture on musculoskeletal disorders of Qazvin hospitals, in 2016

Abstract

Background: Due to high prevalence of musculoskeletal risk factors among kitchen workers and their role in causing discomfort, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ergonomic factors (mental workload and working posture) on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers of training hospitals in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done through census among 60 workers of teaching hospital's kitchens of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016. Data were collected using pain perception and mental workload questionnaires and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method was used for posture assessment. Data were analyzed using single and multiple logistic regression tests. Results: About 85% of the workers reported that their work shift was very heavier than normal. The best and worst exposure score in QEC method were assigned to cooking and trolley responsible tasks, respectively. Seventy percent of working postures were classified in action level 3 (i.e. investigation and changes are required soon) that increased the backache prevalence by nearly about 4 times. Heavy workload in interaction with other influential factors increased the neck discomfort about 5 times and back discomfort by 2.5 times. Conclusions: Long working hours, heavy workload, stress, high-speed work, long standing and inadequate rest are the factors influencing the increase of MSDs prevalence among the kitchen workers. By increasing numbers of manpower, reducing the workload and working hours and adequate rest, in addition to doing the work properly, MSDs in this group can somehow be reduced.

A systematic review of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors among computer users

“…A total of 8883 respondents were participated from 14 different countries. Five studies were conducted from India [ 11 , 24 , [27] , [28] , [29] ], four from Ethiopia [ 1 , 8 , 20 , 21 ], three from Iran [ 26 , 30 , 31 ], two from China [ 25 , 32 ], two from Malaysia [ 7 , 33 ], and one study each from Bangladesh [ 4 ], Egypt [ 9 ], Saudi Arabia [ 34 ], Ghana [ 23 ], Pakistan [ 35 ], Kuwait [ 6 ], Nigeria [ 36 ], Sri Lanka [ 37 ], and Estonia [ 38 ]. The prevalence of WMSDs was obtained from all studies [ 1 , 4 , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , 11 , 20 , 21 , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] ], while the data regarding to associated factors were also reported by all except two studies [ 27 , 34 ].…”

“…The prevalence of MSDs was highest (95.3 %) and lowest (33.8 %) in Shah Alam, Malaysia [ 33 ] and Tamil Nadu, India [ 11 ] respectively as shown in Table 1 . According to Table 2 , fifteen out of twenty-five studies reported that the lower back, neck, upper back, and shoulder were the most affected body parts, and the elbow, hip/thigh, knee, wrist/hand, and ankle/feet were the least affected body parts, respectively [ 1 , 4 , [6] , [7] , [8] , 11 , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , 25 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 34 ].…”

“…According to a study conducted in Estonia, pain was most frequently reported in the neck and lower back, while shoulder and wrist/hand pain were less common [ 38 ]. While a Qazvin, Iran study found the lower back, neck, knee, shoulder, upper back, and hip/thigh were the most common sites of pain, the elbow, wrist/hand, and ankle/foot were reported less often [ 30 ]. A Shah Alam, Malaysia [ 33 ] study found that the lower back, shoulder, and neck were the most affected body parts, while the ankle/feet, hip/thigh, and elbow were the least affected.…”

Aspectos ergonômicos, saúde ocupacional e estado nutricional de copeiras em um hospital público

“…Tais dados corroboram com os achados por Ansari et al (2016), que ao investigarem a percepção da carga mental em operadores de uma cozinha hospitalar, encontraram um relato de 85% dos trabalhadores que entendiam seu turno de trabalho mais pesado que o normal. As percepções sobre o estresse no trabalho foram relacionadas ao desenvolvimento de artrite e dores na coluna segundo revisão da literatura desenvolvida por Buscemi et al (2019).…”

Pain and associated factors in German occupational therapists: a nationwide cross-sectional survey study

“…Beside these physical effects of a standing working position, we assume that a high workload is associated with a less relaxed posture and a higher stress level, both increasing the risk for pain (Nino et al. 2019 ; et al., Ansari et al 2016 ).…”