Prevalence, Patterns, and Associated Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders Among the Healthcare Workers of Northern Saudi Arabia: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have emerged as a pressing concern among healthcare workers (HCWs), gaining significant attention, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the prevalence, pattern, and associated factors for MSDs among HCWs in northern Saudi Arabia.

Participants and Methods

Employing a cross-sectional study design, the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to collect data from participants. Systematic sampling method was employed to select 384 HCWs from diverse healthcare settings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with MSDs.

Results

Among the participants, 72.4% reported one or more NMQ-listed MSDs. The most commonly affected body regions were the neck, shoulder, and lower back. MSDs showed significant associations with physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–0.93, p = 0.024), obesity status (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.56–4.71, p = 0.003), and ergonomic training (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.23–0.55, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Implementing preplacement and periodic ergonomic training for HCWs is recommended. This proactive measure holds the potential to alleviate MSD-related discomfort, reduce sickness absenteeism, and enhance overall productivity. Future longitudinal studies across different regions of Saudi Arabia are essential to establish causal links between risk factors and MSDs.

Keywords:

• healthcare workers
• neck pain
• ergonomics
• Saudi Arabia
• musculoskeletal disorders

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the healthcare workers who participated in the survey. We extend our sincere thanks to Jeffry John, Flywings International College, Ernakulam for his immense help in formatting and preparing figures required for this study.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at Jouf University under grant No (DSR2023-01-02330).