Epidemiological Patterns of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Workers in Five Reference Hospitals in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs among Healthcare workers in five reference hospitals in the City of Douala-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 561 healthcare workers working in five reference hospitals in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaires;data on the demographics and risk factors were collected using a well-designed questionnaire, while estimation of the prevalence of WRMSDs was done using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was 83.4% (468/561). The prevalence per professional groups was as follows: 88.8% (71) for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), 81.9% (289) for nurses, 21 (80.8%) for Physiotherapists (PTs) and 78.8% (41) for Medical Doctors (MDs). There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in the prevalence of WRMSDs with respect to place of work where healthcare workers from HLD recorded the highest prevalence 89.9%, while Healthcare workers from NBDH were 2.91 times at risk (AOR = 2.91;95% CI: 1.32 - 6.41;p = 0.001) to develop WRMSDs than healthcare workers in the other hospitals. With respect to body region, the highest prevalence of WRMSDs was recorded on the lower back, 58.8% with the lowest at the elbows 11.2%. The age group 30 to 39 years was significantly associated with WRMSDs at level of the shoulder (p = 0.002), upper back (p = 0.019), elbows (p Conclusion: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was high. The prevalence of WRMSDs is highest among MLS and nurses and the most affected body parts are;lower back, neck and upper back. Working on the same posture, stressful job, and repetitive tasks were the major risk factors associated to WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals.

High Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Self-Medication among Street Vendors in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a set of peri-articular conditions that result mainly in pain and functional discomfort. They represent a major occupational health problem in all areas of activity. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of MSDs among street vendors in the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 01 to October 31, 2021 in Bangui, the capital of CAR. The study population consisted of street vendors which were included at the entrance of 4 large markets of Bangui after giving informed consent. The sample size, calculated according to the Schwartz formula, was 384. Sociodemographic data (age, gender, level of education, marital status), professional data (the duration of sale in hours, the distance traveled per day);and health data (the health problems suffered by itinerant sellers and the means of dealing with them) were collected using a pre-established self-questionnaire. This collected data was processed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and Epi-Info version 7 software. Results: Among 384 street vendors included, women represented a quarter (24.9%). The average age was 27 years;the 25-34 age group was the most represented (50%). About two-thirds (64.8%) sold for at least 12 hours and traveled more than 10 km (69.3%) per day. The main health problems reported by street vendors were musculoskeletal disorders (95.8%). Their locations concerned the upper limbs shoulder 65.36% (251), elbow 24.22% (93). Non-ergonomic postures that stress the back and joints all day long, causing pain are risk factors for MSDs. These MSDs were treated by self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (22.0%), mainly sold on the street. Conclusion: MSDs dominated the health problems of street vendors. These problems raise the need for recognition and support for these workers to optimize their performance while preserving their health through awareness and good management of MSDs whose chronicity generates a disability.

Prevalence and factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hand surgeons

BACKGROUND The nature of tasks required by hand surgeons require both forceful and repetitive maneuvers,thus subjecting these surgeons to the risk of musculoskeletal(MSK)injuries during their years in practice.AIM To assess the prevalence,characteristics and impact of MSK disorders among hand surgeons.METHODS A modified version of the physical discomfort survey was sent to surgeons who were members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand via e-mail.The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,one-way analysis of variance,and Fisher’s exact test.P values of<0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS Of the 578 respondents,60.4%reported that they had sustained a work-related MSK injury,of which the most common diagnoses were lateral elbow epicondylitis(18.7%),low back pain(17.1%)and carpal tunnel syndrome(15.6%).Among those that reported an injury,73.1%required treatment and 29.2%needed time off work as a direct result of their injury.The number of work-related injuries incurred by a surgeon increased significantly with increasing age(P<0.003),increasing years in practice(P<0.001)and higher case load(P<0.05).CONCLUSION To our knowledge this study is the first of its kind to assess MSK injuries sustained by Hand surgeons with a high incidence.These results should increase awareness on this aspect and fuel future studies directed at preventing these types of work-related injuries,thus minimizing the financial and psychological burden on these surgeons and the healthcare system.

The Application of NIOSH Lifting Equation to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorder Risks

The objective of the study was to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks by applying the NIOSH lifting equation variables include the horizontal location, the vertical location, the vertical travel distance, the asymmetric, the lifting frequency and the coupling classification. The 17 specific samples from 4W and ZECP division were selected by the weight of box 15.4 - 28.7 pounds. The standardized Nordic questionnaire for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms with pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) was used to self-report feeling. The ergonomics redesigns trained for the workers included: 1) brought the load closer to the worker by training;2) raised the height of objects placed to reduce the vertical distance between the origin and destination of the lift;and 3) moved the origin and destination of lift closer together to reduce the angel twist. The new procedures were trained to all participated workers. The result found that the lifting index was safer (<1.0). For successful outcome, be supposed to monitoring is careful the data about a problem of the worker health, give the carefulness in case of specially exceed environment more than the LI advises and should do training continuously.

Survey of Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders by Repetitive Job Activities Methods in Baker of Iran

Aim: The first purpose is to survey the cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) prevalence in 4 zones of neck, shoulder, hand/wrist and back, and the second purpose is to survey the risk factors producing upper limb musculoskeletal disorders by using OCRA index method. In this analytic-descriptive and cross-sectional study, incorporation of four data collection methods was contained;observing and interviewing methods, using questionnaire and check list, were utilized. Randomly, 384 samples for CTD prevalence and 423 samples for OCRA index exposure survey were collected by cluster ratio sampling. In this study, findings indicated that CTD prevalence was high in studied bakery workers and most disorder and pain were reported in back, knees and hand/wrist. Through different tasks, most percentage of neck CTD (7.1%) and shoulder CTD (27.8%) was related to selling and baker tasks respectively, and most percentage of hand/wrist CTD (33/3%) and back CTD (38.1%) was related to bread baker task. There was a significant correlation between shoulder, hand/wrist and back CTD with bakery and task type, and effect of job background on CTD preva-lence was improved in the above four zones. The rather high prevalence of CTD in the young pop-ulation with average age of 30 years which have a few work experiences and the results of per-formed risk assessment can be taken account of serious warning, if it is not considered.

Influence of Metabolic Syndrome versus Musculoskeletal Disorders on Saudi Health-Related Quality of Life

Aim: This work aimed to study the influence of two chronic health conditions, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Saudis. Method: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status questionnaire was used to measure the HRQoL and compare the mean scores of the questionnaire subscales and physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) of 33 patients with MetS, 18 patients with MSDs, and 30 apparently healthy (AH) subjects. Regression analysis was used to measure the prediction power of the study group, age and gender of the participants in estimating the HRQoL. Results: Results showed that the mean scores of the physical subscales, the PCS, the mental subscales and MCS were arranged in descending order from AH subjects, patients with MetS, to patients with MSDs. The mean scores difference among the 3 study groups were statistically significant with the only exception for the general mental health (GMH) subscale (P = 0.404). The study group and age accounted for 41.8% of the variability of PCS while the study group accounted for 19.6% of the variability in the MCS. The resulted equation to estimate the PCS score was as follows: PCS = 113.18 - 12.85 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs) - 0.67 age. On the other hand the resulted equation to estimate the MCS score was as follows: MCS = 76.203 - 10.426 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs). Conclusion: Patients with MetS and patients with MSDs had lower HRQoL than AH subjects. All the physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL are negatively influenced with MetS and with MSDs with the only exception for the GMH subscale. The physical and mental burden of MSDs is more dominant. The study group and age can be used to predict the PCS while the study group can be used to predict the MCS.

基于工效学的家具制造工人WMSDs康复产品设计

为了缓解和预防家具厂工人的职业性肌肉骨骼疾患(work related musculoskeletal disorders,WMSDs)症状,基于工效学对家具厂工人作业情况进行调查和研究。通过文献回顾法、现场观察法、问卷调查法和用户访谈法收集家具厂工人的需求,得出WMSDs患病率最高的部位为肩部、颈部和下背部。此外,年龄、工龄、性别、岗位和部门管理等也是WMSDs的影响因素。从康复学角度分析根据WMSDs患病特点设计的动作,对其交互方式和交互特点进行分析,根据成年男女人体工程学数据设计出一款针对家具制造工人WMSDs的康复产品,并进行用户测试验证其有效性。结果表明:针对家具制造工人WMSDs患病特点设计的产品能够有效缓解和预防家具制造工人的WMSDs症状。

Hepatomusculoskeletal disorders:Coining a new term might improve the management of the musculoskeletal manifestations of chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease can affect many body systems including the musculoskeletal system.The pathogenetic crosstalk between the liver and organs such as the brain and the kidneys has already been described with compound terms merging the organs affected by the pathology,such as the hepatorenal syndrome.Nevertheless,the musculoskeletal manifestations of chronic liver disease have not been coined with such a term to date.Because of this shortage,documenting the musculoskeletal implications of chronic liver disease in both research and clinical practice is challenging.To fill this gap,the authors propose the term hepatomusculoskeletal disorders,a compound term of Greek origin that encompasses all the body structures involved in the aforementioned pathologic crosstalk.

A Study on the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Ageing Workforce of Indian Construction Industry

Ageing work force is one of the leading causes behind the depletion in the growth rate of the labor force in construction industries.Construction industry is a paramount source of employment worldwide after agricul­tural industry explicitly in urban areas.Manual material handling in con­struction industries causes musculoskeletal disorders affecting both upper and lower extremities of the body.Studies on lower limb problems due to dynamic work like handling of heavy loads in construction industries are scanty.To analyze the level of exertion,ergonomics risk factors and the prevalence of work-related lower limb disorders among the young and elderly construction workforce.20 male construction workers in the age group of i)20 to 30 years(golden age group);ii)50 years and above were selected from a local construction site in Mumbai.Demographic data like age,height,weight,BMI,body fat,waist hip ratio and risk assessment by questionnaires study comprising QEC,NMQ,VAS,and LEFS were collected.Compared to the golden age group,the elderly subjects were found to feel more discomfort in their lower back,knee and calf regions of lower limb due to immoderate forces and motions tolerated by their lower limbs during their daily work.Muscle pliability and proper coor­dination diminishes with age and it is appearing to be the most probable reason behind the pain experienced in their lower limbs might be due to improper techniques and postures.For elderly workers,age related limita­tions become an additional factor to maintain their normal work-life.

网店从业人员MSDs的职业病研究

旨在研究MSDs职业病在网店从业人群中的分布情况和影响因素,并给出相应改善建议。研究采用肌肉骨骼疾患调查表,发现样本的年患病率高达94.7%,其中以颈部和肩部患病率最高。因此,需从人体工效学角度科学地设计办公间的布局和人机界面,合理调整工作姿势,尽量保持高频率的工间休息,并结合有氧运动、柔韧练习等运动疗法,以缓解和治疗MSDs。

基于sEMG的拉力作业肌肉疲劳与恢复研究

目的为了探究动态拉力作业肌肉疲劳与恢复的特征,避免肌肉疲劳累积,降低肌肉骨骼疾患(MSDs)风险。方法设计动态拉力作业疲劳与恢复试验,选取10名男性本科生。测量屈指肌和肱三头肌的表面肌电信号,通过统计学方法分析肌群指标MF和MPF的变化特征。结果经过静坐恢复方式干预,肌力恢复至88%MVC,屈指和肱三头肌肌电频域指标MF和MPF均呈上升趋势,主观疲劳感随休息时间延长呈下降趋势。结论肌电频域指标MF和MPF能够较好地作为评估动态拉力作业中肌肉疲劳状态恢复过程的客观指标。本研究的疲劳状态恢复特征研究内容可为现实拉力作业中的休息设计提供依据。

骨骼肌系统疾患(MSD)在口腔医学研究生中的调查及危险因素分析

目的：探索口腔医学生骨骼肌系统疾患（MSD）的相关影响因素。方法：选取四川大学华西口腔医学院正畸、修复、牙体牙髓、牙周、口腔外科共271名研究生，临床工作时间为（2．78±1．57）年以及254名其他专业研究生，利用标准化 Nordic 调查问卷和自测问卷对样本进行信息采集，并通过重复问卷确保问卷结果的准确性。结果：口腔医学研究生 MSD 患病率（85．6％）较其他专业高（70．4％）。其中患病率最高的部位依次为颈部（47．5％～69．8％）、肩部（50．8％～65．1％）、腰部（27．1％～51．2％）和背部（25．6％～46．5％）。不同亚专业间 MSD 高发患病部位有所不同。进入临床工作时长和每周临床工作时间与 MSD 症状的存在有一定的关系。休息和日常的身体锻炼对 MSD 有预防效应。结论：口腔专业学生进入临床学时就应该开始采取措施预防 MSD。

Mulligan动态关节松动术对肌肉骨骼疾病治疗效果及机制的研究进展

研究综述了Mulligan动态关节松动术在治疗不同肌肉骨骼疾病中的效果,包括肩袖损伤、肱骨外上髁炎、腰痛、慢性踝关节不稳等,并探讨了该技术的干预机制。研究发现,Mulligan动态关节松动术治疗常见的肌肉骨骼系统疾病的即时效果显著,包括减轻疼痛、增加关节活动度、改善肢体功能,并且在改善关节活动度方面有明显优势,但其长期效果需要进一步研究。Mulligan动态关节松动术的潜在治疗机制为:1)在生物力学方面,可能通过特别定向的动态关节滑动纠正2个关节面微小的错误排列,继而加强薄弱处的肌肉力量并拉伸紧张的肌肉,恢复身体机能;2)在神经生理学方面,优化处理疼痛的大脑区域之间的功能连接;降低脊髓兴奋性和疼痛敏感性;降低TNF-α、IL-6炎症因子,并促进内啡肽和5-羟色胺等神经递质的释放。

胎儿生长受限的病因及对患儿远期健康的影响

胎儿生长受限(fetal growth restriction,FGR)是指胎儿在妊娠期内无法达到其预期的生长潜力,其是妊娠期常见且较复杂的并发症之一。FGR病因复杂多样,可能是由母体、胎儿或胎盘因素所引起。对于存在FGR的儿童和成年患者,长期的追踪研究揭示了其健康状况的不良后果。生长受限胎儿的出生体质量和身长明显落后于正常儿童,绝大部分患儿在生后早期即开始出现明显的生长追赶,但其存在更高的代谢问题风险。FGR常常伴随着一系列的远期并发症,如神经系统发育障碍和骨骼肌生长代谢异常等问题,甚至是在成年期时更易出现代谢综合征和心血管疾病,这对患儿的身体健康和生活质量产生了严重影响。综述FGR致病因素及对患儿远期健康的影响,以期为临床防治提供相关理论支持。

基于sEMG的渣土车驾驶员肌肉疲劳与恢复研究

目的 为了解渣土车驾驶员肌肉疲劳发展与疲劳恢复特征,避免疲劳累积,降低肌肉骨骼损伤风险.方法 设计并组织渣土车模拟驾驶实验.招募8 名被试参与实验,测量驾驶过程和恢复阶段驾驶员主观疲劳评分数据与颈部左右斜方肌、腰部左右竖脊肌、左右多裂肌共6 个肌群的肌肉活动信息,运用统计学分析方法分析肌肉疲劳随驾驶时间和恢复时间而变化的特征.结果 经过180 min模拟渣土车驾驶任务后,驾驶员达到非常疲劳状态,所测量6 个肌群肌肉疲劳,腰部CR-10 评分高于颈部;经过5 min静坐和30 min静坐且听音乐休息后,驾驶员恢复至较清醒状态,所测6 个肌群中,身体左侧相关肌群逐渐恢复,身体右侧相关肌群仍然处于疲劳状态.结论 渣土车驾驶过程肌肉疲劳明显,静坐恢复方式有利于疲劳恢复,但是身体右侧斜方肌、竖脊肌和多裂肌仍处于疲劳状态.

基于sEMG的受限空间内维修作业肌肉疲劳研究

为了解受限空间内维修作业人员肌肉疲劳发展特征,避免肌肉疲劳累积,降低肌肉骨骼损伤风险,本文测量维修作业过程中不同作业高度(120cm和140cm)和工作面(正面、侧面和顶面)作业时左右斜方肌、右中三角肌、右冈上肌、右冈下肌和右指伸肌6个肌群的肌肉活动信息,并记录CR10评分;运用统计学分析方法分析不同作业高度和工作面作业中的肌肉疲劳特征。结果表明:高度显著影响右冈下肌和右指伸肌MF值,且显著影响中三角肌、右冈上肌和右冈下肌IEMG值,工作面对所有肌群MF值和IEMG值的影响均不显著;高度显著影响全身、颈部、肩膀以及左腿CR10评分,工作面对全身及身体各部位CR10评分影响均不显著。受限空间内维修作业过程中,高度显著影响肌肉疲劳发展,且140cm作业高度肌肉疲劳累积更明显。正面、侧面和顶面3个工作面,作业人员肌肉疲劳发展不存在显著差异。

任务难度和时间压力在诱发WMSD中的作用

为探索职业性肌肉骨骼障碍(WMSD)的产生机制,并为开发其诊治指标提供依据,本研究通过两项实验,在低生理负荷情景下分别考察了任务难度和时间压力对肌肉活动(尤其是肩部斜方肌)和主观舒适性等的影响。结果发现:(1)除影响作业绩效外,任务难度和时间压力对斜方肌AEMG也有显著影响;(2)时间压力可导致心率上升;(3)任务难度和时间压力均会影响主观舒适感(尤其是眼、上臂的舒适感)。因此,任务难度和时间压力等心理社会因素可能是诱发颈-肩部等区域职业性肌肉骨骼障碍的重要变量。

基于OWAS的羊毛衫整烫作业工人MSDs分析

本文在对羊毛衫整烫作业工人的作业流程进行调研的基础上,运用工作姿势分析系统(OWAS)对作业姿势进行了编码及等级划分,对作业过程中的各个姿势进行了时长统计及分析,并就分析结果进行了讨论,提出了进行肌肉骨骼失调(MSDs)风险防控的措施。

受限空间下重复搬举作业腰部肌肉疲劳特征研究

目的 探讨在高度受限空间下机务人员进行重复搬举作业对腰部肌肉疲劳状特性的影响.方法 以装填火箭弹作业为背景,招募12 名健康在校大学生参与实验,使用表面肌电仪、背力计和Borg's RPE量表记录被试的表面肌电、肌力和主观疲劳数据,分析作业过程肌肉疲劳发展特征.结果 在整个模拟装填火箭弹的过程中,随着装填时间的延长,MVE%(Maximum Voluntary Electrical Activation,MVE%)和RPE(Rating of Perceived Exertion,RPE)值呈上升趋势,腰部肌肉力量和MF(Median Frequency,MF)值呈下降趋势;采用重复测量方差对腰部肌力、MVE%和MF值进行分析,与实验前相比,得出肌力在 20 min后出现明显差异(P<0.05),左侧竖脊肌和多裂肌的MVE%值在10 min出现明显差异性,右侧竖脊肌和多裂肌在15 min出现明显差异性(P<0.05),左、右侧竖脊肌MF值在第15 min开始出现明显差异(P<0.05),左侧多裂肌在第10 min开始出现明显差异(P<0.05),右侧多裂肌MF值在第 20 min开始出现明显差异(P<0.05);经配对t检验分析,左侧竖脊肌和多裂肌疲劳程度大于右侧,且多裂肌大于竖脊肌.结论 在垂直空间受限环境下进行重复搬举作业过程中,会引发竖脊肌和多裂肌疲劳,多裂肌先于竖脊肌发生疲劳,腰部肌力下降明显,容易引起工作相关肌肉骨骼疾病.建议机务人员进行搬举作业,合理安排休息,进行适当活动缓解工作中肌肉疲劳,并且在日常体能训练中加强腰部核心锻炼.