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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Avicenna J Med 2020; 10(01): 29-34
DOI: 10.4103/ajm.ajm_67_19
Original Article

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among clinical laboratory workers

Atheer F AlNekhilan
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Anfal M AlTamimi
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Bothainah Y AlAqeel
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Alanoud A AlHawery
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Shoog F AlFadhel
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
,
Emad M Masuadi
College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among clinical laboratory workers. Materials and Methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study included the clinical laboratory departments of six governmental tertiary and secondary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The selected instrument was a self-administered adapted standardized questionnaire. The sample comprised 306 laboratory workers, and the selected sampling technique was a non-random convenient method. Results: The overall prevalence of WMSDs in any body region was 82% in the last 12 months; it was mainly linked to lower back pain (61%). In the logistic regression, age <30 years, working in specific laboratories and working in hematology/flow-cytometry laboratory divisions were all found to be significant risk factors (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Clinical laboratory workers are at a high risk for WMSDs; it is essential that we take preventative action to address this.

Keywords

Ergonomics - laboratory workers - musculoskeletal disorders - occupational hazards - work-related musculoskeletal disorders


Publication History

Article published online:
04 August 2021

© 2020. Syrian American Medical Society. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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