Prevalence and Predictors of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Healthcare Workers in Tertiary Hospitals of Punjab: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study
Keywords:
Back pain, Ergonomics, Healthcare workers, Musculoskeletal disorders, Occupational health, Prevalence, Psychosocial factors, Risk factors, Workload, Workplace safety.Abstract
Background:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a major occupational health concern among healthcare workers globally, often resulting from poor ergonomics, repetitive strain, and psychosocial stressors. Despite growing awareness, limited data exist on the prevalence and determinants of MSDs among healthcare professionals in Pakistan, particularly in tertiary care hospitals of Punjab.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers and to identify ergonomic, psychosocial, and workload-related factors associated with their occurrence.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted across four tertiary hospitals in Punjab—Mayo Hospital Lahore, Nishtar Hospital Multan, Faisalabad Medical University Hospital, and Rawalpindi Medical University Hospital—from September 2022 to April 2023. A total of 355 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and technicians, were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising sociodemographic details, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
The overall 12-month prevalence of MSDs was 74.6%, with lower back (68.5%), neck (56.9%), and shoulders (51.8%) being the most affected regions. Nurses reported the highest prevalence (81.5%), followed by physiotherapists (74.2%) and doctors (68.0%). Independent predictors included female gender (AOR 1.84; 95% CI: 1.22–2.76), high workload (>50 hrs/week) (AOR 2.08; 95% CI: 1.34–3.22), and job stress (AOR 1.92; 95% CI: 1.21–3.03).
Conclusion:
MSDs are highly prevalent among healthcare workers in Punjab and are strongly influenced by ergonomic, workload, and psychosocial factors. Implementation of ergonomic interventions, stress reduction programs, and institutional policy reforms is essential to safeguard occupational health and enhance healthcare service efficiency.
Keywords:
Back pain, Ergonomics, Healthcare workers, Musculoskeletal disorders, Occupational health, Prevalence, Psychosocial factors, Risk factors, Workload, Workplace safety.
