Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors among staff in jimma city, southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The musculoskeletal system is composed of two systems; the skeletal and muscular systems. It contains bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons. The work-related musculoskeletal disorder results from work-related exposures and is one of the most important public health problems throughout the world. It not only affects the health of workers but also creates a burden on the health system, on the economic and social costs. Hence, assessment of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and identification of risk factors could help to design prevention strategies in the future. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder and associated factors among bank staff in Jimma city, Jimma, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 20 to August 20, 2019, among Bank staff in Jimma city, Southwest Ethiopia. Data we recollected by pre-tested interviewer-administered standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was conducted and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval was calculated to see the association between dependent and independent variables. Independent variables with a p-value < 0.05 in the final multiple logistic regressions were considered as statistically significant. Results: Data were collected from 335 professional Bank staff in Jimma city. The overall prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders during the last 12-months was 245(73.1%). The most affected body parts were lower back 181(54%), neck 152(45.4%), upper back 143(42.7%) and shoulder 127(37.9%) while the least affected body parts were wrist, knee, ankle/feet, elbows and hips in47(14%), 46(13.7%), 38(11.3%), 30(9%)and 28(8.4%) respectively. It was found that work experience [AOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.05-4.43], alcohol consumption [AOR: 3.44, 95% CI: 1.29-9.18], awkward posture [AOR: 4.09, 95% CI:2.20-7.61], working in the same position for two or more hours [AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.05-3.89] and job stress [AOR: 3.20,95% CI: 1.67-6.15] were significant predictors for work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorder was common among bank staff. Work experience, alcohol consumption, awkward posture, prolonged working in the same position and job stress were independent predictors for a work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Preventive strategies such as using ergonomic guidelines and giving awareness on the effect of bad posture, avoid working in the same position for a long period and taking a break were recommended.