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Preliminary study of the patterns and physical risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among academicians in a higher learning institute

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Background

Research has been conducted on the prevalence and physical risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among occupations such as agriculture workers, office workers, school teachers, and health care professionals. However, a paucity of research exists on the patterns and physical risk factors of WMSDs among the academicians in a higher learning institution. This study was conducted to determine the patterns and physical risk factors of WMSDs among the academicians.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 subjects with a mean age of participants of 32.3 ± 7.8 for a period of 1 year from December 2011 until December 2012. An extended neordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ-E) was used to assess the patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The short version of the Dutch musculoskeletal questionnaire (DMQ) was used to determine the physical risk factors of WMSDs among the academicians. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi square test were used for data analysis.

Results

The 1-year pattern of WMSDs among the academicians were neck pain (44.7 %), followed by shoulder pain (40.4 %), upper and lower back pain (33.3 %), and the least common region was elbow pain (3.5 %). Among 20 common physical activities in DMQ, 15 physical activities performed by the academicians in their workplace were considered as a physical risk factors for neck, shoulder, and back pain at p < 0.05.

Conclusion

The preliminary study demonstrated that neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain were the most common WMSDs among the academicians in a higher learning institution.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Research Management Institute (RMI), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia [600-RMI/DANA 5/3/CIFI (146/2013)].

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Vikram Mohan, Maria Justine, Syafiqah Bt Aminudin & Siti Hasmah Bt Johari

  2. Community of Research, Humanities and Quality of Life, UiTM, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Maria Justine

  3. Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

    Madhanagopal Jagannathan

Authors
  1. Vikram Mohan
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  2. Maria Justine
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  3. Madhanagopal Jagannathan
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  4. Syafiqah Bt Aminudin
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  5. Siti Hasmah Bt Johari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vikram Mohan.

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Mohan, V., Justine, M., Jagannathan, M. et al. Preliminary study of the patterns and physical risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among academicians in a higher learning institute. J Orthop Sci 20, 410–417 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0682-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0682-4

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