Showing 65 results for Musculoskeletal
Seyed Sajad Ataei, Payam Heydari, Sakineh Varmazyar,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Heavy load lifting or occupational and individual factors are effective hazard agents in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was investigating the correlation of musculoskeletal disorders with work ability index and allowable load lifting limit.
Methods: This analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted using census (n = 60) among the kitchen workers in Qazvin teaching hospitals in 2016. Data were collected through questionnaires including pain prevalence, work ability index and allowable load lifting limit. Data was analyzed by single and multiple regression logistic using SPSS 16 software.
Results: The highest prevalence was observed in the lower back (78.3%). Of the workers, 61.7% reported a good level of work ability index and 58.3% of the workplaces were in unsafe conditions of load handling. Unsafe condition alone increased the prevalence of shoulder and neck pain about 7 times and the lower back pain 4 times, and in interaction with other risk factors, the prevalence of neck and shoulder pains had 25 and 28 times increase, respectively. Also, subjects with good levels of ability compared to subjects with excellent levels of ability were 9 times more in exposure of musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusions: Risk factors such as body mass index, work ability and allowable load lifting limit can affect the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. So, selection of subjects with good and excellent work ability levels and compliance with the load limit are the effective solutions in increasing the productivity and reducing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers.
Sara Dehnavi, Abdollah Vahedi, Majid Motamedzade Torghabe, Abbas Moghimbeigi,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (3-2017)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) occur when the pressure that applied to musculoskeletal tissue is/be more than tissue tolerant capabilities. This study aimed to assess the risk factors cause musculoskeletal disorders associated with manual tasks using ManTRA and conducted ergonomics intervention program(educational- engineering) among workers in the printing industry.
MethodS: In this interventional case-control study, 40 workers who performed manual tasks, ( 20 case group and 20 control group) were chosen and were investigated. Nordic Body Map was used to determine the intensity and position of pain in the Different part of the body. ManTRA method was performed to evaluate cumulative scores in four regions of the body (wrist / hand / arm - shoulder / neck - back - lower limb) for each workers before and after the intervention. Data analysis was done using SPSS.
Results: Data analysis showed that mean intensity of pain in the control group before and after intervention in the various regions of the body such as head /neck (p=0.012), right shoulder/arm (p=0.012), left shoulder/arm(p=0.043), back (p=0.003), right hand / wrist (p=0.028), left hand / wrist (p=0.027), right knee/ hip (p=0.005), left knee/ hip (p=0.005), right leg (p=0.012) & left leg(p=0.028) were significant.Cumulative score was also significant in the body regions such as arm/wrist /hand (p=0.001) and shoulder /neck (p=0.001) before and after the interventional program.
Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of this study, it could be noted that the ergonomic interventional program was effective to reduce the intensity of pain in the various regions of the body and risk factors causing cumulative damage in the workplace.
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Esmaeel Khanmohammadi, Farhad Tabatabai Ghomsheh, Reza Osqueizadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 2 (9-2017)
Abstract
Introduction: Different studies around the world have shown that Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the causes of lost time, absenteeism, and disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and to evaluate their ergonomic risk factors and determine the effect of ergonomic intervention on awkward postures among workers of Saipa Diesel Truck manufacturing plants.
Methods: This interventional study (Before-after) was conducted on 130 workers of 2 largest truck-manufacturing plants in Iran. The prevalence rate of MSDs and ergonomic risk factors was assessed by valid and reliable translated Body Map Questionnaire (BM) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method, respectively.
Results: According to Body Map results, 87.5% of participants had MSDs at least in one of their eleven body regions during the previous year, before study. The highest prevalence rate of MSDs was observed in lower back (51.5%) and foot area (18.5%). Chi square test revealed that the prevalence rate of MSDs was higher among those with higher QEC risk level (P < 0.001). Results also indicated the significant effect of ergonomic interventions on reducing the prevalence rate of MSDs and QEC risk level (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence rate of MSDs and QEC risk levels among workers was significantly high. Therefore, it can be mentioned that the need for early ergonomic interventions is felt in all industrial units of these truck-manufacturing plants.
Pezhvak Ghasemzade, Shahnaz Tabatabaei, Amir Kavousi, Mahnaz Sareme,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Attention to the workstations of the employees and their quality of work life has become increasingly important due to the increased competition in the organizations. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the ergonomic situation of the workstations and musculoskeletal disorders with the quality of work life and demographic variables in the administrative staff of the Tehran Municipality.
Methods: The present study was a descriptive and analytical one. The statistical population included a total of 600 persons, working in one of the regions in the Tehran Municipality. Of the 600 staff, a total of 255 were selected as the available sample group. The instruments consisted of the questionnaires, including the individual and occupational information, the Nordic questionnaire, the Walton Quality of work life, and the checklist of the ergonomic indices of the working environment for the administrative staff. In order to analyze the data, Student’s t-test and multiple regression analysis were used.
Results: In this study, the majority of the samples were females (56.9%) with a mean age of 33 years. A significant positive relationship was observed between all the ergonomic indices and the quality of work life. Significant correlations among the parameters such as age, education, sleeping at night, psychological conditions, musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulder, and foot were observed simultaneously with the quality of work life. The quality of work life of an employee could be predicted through the musculoskeletal disorders and demographic variables but could not be predicted by the ergonomic indicators.
Conclusion: In this study, a relationship existed between the ergonomic condition of the workstations and musculoskeletal disorders with the quality of work life and demographic variables. Therefore, the physical condition and the quality of the work life of the employees would be positively affected by the improvement of the ergonomic condition of the workstations.
Saeed Ilbeigi, Aboozar Kabootari, Mohamadesmaiel Afzalpour, Hossein Farzaneh,
Volume 5, Issue 3 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background: Undesirable sit-up and deviation from desirable status is one of the factors affecting the health of students in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between posture and musculoskeletal pain in boys 9 to 13 years old.
Methods: In this correlation study, the population consisted of all boy students in the primary city of Birjand. 60 students were selected as a sample group based on random-cluster method. Two video cameras were recorded 30 minutes of sitting position for every student. The anthropometric characteristics of subjects including height, weight, etc., were measured with a standard tool. The back and neck pain were collected using a modified Nordic questionnaire. Moreover, the kinovea software was used to analyze the flexion and rotation angle during sitting. The statistical calculations were applied by Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. The ETA correlation coefficient also was used to identify the relationship between variables. All statistical calculations performed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The result indicated significant relationship between bending and rotation angles with both neck and back pain (P≤0.05). Therefore it would be noticed that improper sitting can be accounted as a cause of muscle-skeletal pain in boy students based on bad postures during sitting.
Conclusion: According to the results, the posture of students while sitting in class is inadequate and harmful. Thus performing some intervention and education for students is recommended.
Rashid Heidari Moghaddam, Mohammad Babamiri, Majid Motamedzade, Maryam Farhadian, Kamal Ebrahimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: The working station has a major impact on the musculoskeletal disorders, therefore a considerable attention to working station staff is of importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working station on musculoskeletal disorders among administrative staff.
Methods: 30 administrative staff participated in this analytical descriptive study. Data was collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) in ergonomic design intervention of three working stations (sitting, standing-and-sitting, standing) before and after of intervention. Moreover, a t-test and multiple regression were used to analyze the data.
Results: The average (standard deviation) of the age and work record of 30 participating employees were 44.3 (5) and 20 (5) years, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the type of working station before and after the intervention, with the expression of musculoskeletal disorders (P=0.02). There was also a significant relationship between variables of musculoskeletal disorders in the shoulders, necks, waist and hands at different working stations. However, there was a significant relationship between age, work experience and BMI index with musculoskeletal disorders.
Conclusion: According to the results of this survey the best working station is a sitting-and-standing. Therefore, by changing the type of working stations, musculoskeletal discomfort of the employees will be reduced appropriately.
Mohammad Babamiri, Fakhradin Ghasemi, Rashid Heidari Moghadam, Jjalil Derakhshan, Mahnoush Karimi,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: “Participatory ergonomics” is defined as an active participation of all members of the organization in the development and implementation of ergonomic knowledge in order to improve the working environment, quality, productivity and safety of the organization. The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate process of working condition with the participatory ergonomic approach and its impact on one of the printing industries.
Methods: This research is an interventional study carried out in one printing industry center. To identify the ergonomic risk factors the “Nordic Questionnaire" and “Ergonomic Review Points” and to evaluate the quality employees’ working life, the NIOSH modified quality of life curriculum was used. The results were by conducting a paired t-test using SPSS20 software package.
Results: The investigation of health, and working conditions using the supplementary checklist before and after applying the review points with participatory ergonomic approach shows a significant increase. Data analysis using the paired t-test showed a significant improvement in quality of working life and reduction of musculoskeletal disorders after intervention (P <0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the individuals’ social skills and abilities have increased by participation in the process of participatory ergonomics. Increasing the quality of working life has a significant role to improve the health of workers and reduce occupational accidents. Therefore, the implementation of participatory ergonomic program with the collaboration of industrial managers can be an effective step towards achieving human resource satisfaction and health.
Zahra Pirmoradi, Rostam Golmohammadi, Javad Faradmal, Majid Motamedzade,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background: Inadequate lighting in the workplace can cause unconventional changes in the posture of office workers. Poor ergonomic conditions in the office cause inappropriate postures during work and increase pressure on the musculoskeletal system which can cause some disorders in long-term. In this study, the relationship between work environment lighting with the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal pain among office workers has been investigated.
Methods: In this study, the intensity of local illumination at work surface and at the perpendicular surface (perpendicular surface to the work surface and at the height of workers eye), and intensity of general lighting was measured based on the standard of The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) using the SEKONIC, C-7000 SpectroMaster. Also, to assess the prevalence and severity of pain of musculoskeletal disorders, a Nordic Questionnaire and a Body map index were used respectively. To assess the office work strain, Rapid Office Strain Assessment techniques (ROSA) were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.
Results: The results showed that the average intensity of general lighting, local lighting at work surface and at the perpendicular surface were 30.6%, 33.9%, and 38.4% respectively, which is lower than required illumination intensity of Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL). The neck and waist had the highest prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorders among the workers. The highest frequency percentage of scores in the ROSA method was the score 5 (41.7%) which had a significant correlation with illumination intensity.
Conclusion: Illumination intensity can be considered as one of the important factors affecting posture in administrative staff. Therefore, the improvement of illumination intensity can decrease the severity of musculoskeletal pain and improve the body postures of the staff and, consequently, increase their comfort.
Tahereh Gholami, Najmeh Rahnavard, Marziyeh Sadeghzadeh, Sepideh Tahmtan,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (9-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are major problems among hospital staff. One of the most important reasons for these disorders are patient handling tasks and psychosocial stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial stressors caused by patients handling among nurse aids.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 56 nurse aids of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The data were collected via Nordic questionnaire, MAPO index checklist and job content questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables and the Chi-square test for analyzing the data.
Results: The results showed that the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was in the lower back (71.4%) and the least in the thigh and neck area (46.4%). The results of MAPO index for risk of musculoskeletal disorders showed that 9 out of 12 sections (63.2%) were in the 2nd level. Also, the average score of the dimensions of the psychological job demands and the physical job demands are high and the average score of social support is low, which indicates high stress. Also, the physical job demands (P=0.035), social support (P=0.002) and job insecurity (P=0.001) were related to the levels of MAPO risks.
Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the prevalence of lower back pain is high and nurse aids experience many psychosocial stressors in their job life. So the training of ergonomic principles and the use of auxiliary equipment during the transport of patients, as well as the reduction of stressors such as the psychological and physical job demand and the lack of social support and job insecurity by authorities, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders can be reduced.
Maryam Azhdardor, Shahnaz Tabatabaei,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders is a working environmental damage that affects staff’s quality of life; in addition to high costs, it reduces physical, mental and social heath, and thus reduces the efficiency of staff. This study aimed to investigate the relation between musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life in selected hospital’s staff.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the study population included all the employees (n=770) of Kordkuy Heart Hospital and Khatam al-Anbia Hospital of Gonbad Kavus, Golestan Province, Iran. The standard sample size of 300 employees (150 Kurdkuy and 150 Gonbad Kavus) from different occupational groups were randomly selected by stratified sampling. To collect the data, a demographic information form, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and the Lancashire quality of life profile were used. Independent t-test and Backward stepwise were run in SPSS 22.
Results: A significant relationship was observed between musculoskeletal disorders and musculoskeletal disorders (general) in staff. A significant relationship was observed between gender and musculoskeletal disorders. Between quality of life at different levels and demographic variables, a significant difference was observed between the average quality of life with emphasis on gender and body mass index.
Conclusion: According to the results, gender and working shifts were effective in risk of musculoskeletal pains and can have a negative effect on staff’s quality of life. Thereby optimizing work conditions has a considerable effect on quality of life.
Zahra Vahedi, Dr Adel Mazlomi, Dr Ali Sharifnezhad, Dr Kamal Azam,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (3-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In the last decade, the smartphones have become one of the most popular technologies around the world. Due to the multi-functional use of smartphones, the technology users spend long hours using it.
Methods: This was a semi-experimental and experimental study. In the first section, 98 students entered the semi-experimental part and completed demographic and body map questionnaires before starting the study. They were asked to perform their duties with their phone for 20 minutes and then complete the body map questionnaire again. In the second part of this study, 12 women from the first group participated in the experimental study to assess the neck flexion using the motion capture. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Searching the Internet and sending texts were the most common tasks among the participants in this study. The use of cell phone caused an increase in pain and discomfort in the neck, shoulder, thumb, thenar. The results of the study showed that there is a significant association between sitting posture and high level of neck forward flexion. Furthermore, neck flexion increased during typing while both hands holding the handset.
Conclusion: Smartphone users have had repetitive motions in fixed postures for a long time, and these factors are thought to increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders.
Azadeh Sadat Masoumi, Mahdieh Akoochakian,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (9-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Given the increasing prevalence of smart phone usage, it can be considered as an important and significant issue in all aspects of human life. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to study the effect of duration of smartphone use on head and shoulders’ posture of young adults aged 20-35 years.
Methods: The statistical population of this study was young people aged 20 to 35 with smart phones who were resident of Kish Island in 2018. A sample of 50 people (25 men and 25 women) were selected voluntarily and purposefully. Low- user and High- user groups were identified by completing the form of addiction to smart cell phone, in assessing the status of upper limb, the shoulder position was measured by Scapular index and head position was measured by photogrammetric method technique and Kinovea software. Independent t-test was used for comparison of experimental variables between two groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The findings showed that there is a significant difference between upper limb posture in Low- user and High- user groups (P=0.033). There was also a significant difference in shoulder position between men and women (P=0.002). But regarding head positioning, there was no significant difference between men and women (P=0.436).
Conclusion: Thus, it seems that considering the significant difference between the two groups mentioned for upper limb posture, we can use the results of this study to inform, prevent and improve the upper.
Zahra Ordudari, Farzane Fadaei, Ehsanolah Habibi, Akbar Hassanzadeh,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders cause about half of all work-related disease, and are the major cause of loss of time, increased costs, and labor injury. This study aims to evaluate the workload and its association with the prevalence of wrist disorders. It was carried out in the assembly workers of a manufacturing industry.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 female workers employed. Theit mental workload, physical workload and prevalence of wrist MSDs were evaluated using the NASA-TLX, the OCRA method and the Nordic wrist and hand scan questionnaire respectively.
Results: The NASA-TLX showed that the physical demands and effort with mean scores of 78.79 and 78.37 were respectively the most important subjective mental workload (SMWL) scale. Also The results on the basis of the OCRA risk level showed that the highest right-hand risk was at risk level 3 and the highest left-hand risk was at risk level 1 .The Statistical analysis showed that OCRA risk levels and mean scale physical demands and efforts were significantly higher in those with wrist pain than those without pain (P<0.05).There was a direct correlation between the severity of the wrist pain with the OCRA risk index in both hands (P=0.001) and the total score of NASA (r=0.232, P<0.05).
Conclusion: It was revealed that mental load was high in assembly lines of the manufacturing industry and this result was also confirmed by physical evaluation. This study indicated that overall score of SMWL can affect the incidence of MSDs. That is why mental workload should be considered as a risk factor for MSDs.
Esmaeil Shoja, Ali Choupani, Masoumeh Gharaee, Mohsen Ghanbari,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Using appropriate methods for ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders has an important role in controlling these risks and providing workforce health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying WERA method to assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders through its correlation with the results of QEC.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 72 employees of workshop sections of a modern brick industry. Data were collected using a Nordic questionnaire to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the past 12 months and WERA and QEC methods to ergonomic risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18.
Results: The prevalence of back, shoulder, neck and wrist disorders were 41.7%, 20.8%, 16.7% and 33.3%, respectively. Results of WERA showed that 88.9% of subjects had medium action level and 11.1% had high action level. In QEC method, 6.9% of subjects had exposure level ‘one’, 20.8% of subjects had exposure level ‘two’, 48.6% of subjects had exposure level ‘three’, and 23.7% of subjects had exposure level ‘four’. The correlation between QEC total score and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was (r=0.67, P=0.038). The correlation coefficient between the final scores of the two methods was (r=0.53, P=0.021).
Conclusion: Examination of the correlation between the mean scores of the two methods indicated a moderate correlation between them. Correlation between prevalence of disorders and QEC and WERA scores showed that QEC results were more consistent with Nordic results and it can be said that QEC method was more suitable for ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders risk for different tasks in this study.
Elnaz Rajabi Shameli, Rahman Sheikhhoseini, Shakiba Asadi Melerdi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are common in students and several causes may be considered for them. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between school furniture dimensions and trunk posture with musculoskeletal disorders in students of the sixth grade of elementary school in Karaj.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 346 boy students in sixth grade of elementary school in Karaj were selected. A flexible ruler was used to measure thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles. A 50-centimeter metal ruler was used to record ergonomic and anthropometric data of the students. Spearman’s correlation test was run to analyze the collected data at the significant level of 0.05.
Results: The results showed that only 18%, 12% and 50% of desk height, seat depth and seat height measures were at normal ergonomic conditions, respectively. A negative significant correlation was observed between seat depth and total Nordic score (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that school furniture dimensions in sixth grade boy students of elementary school in Karaj were not in acceptable condition. So, we suggest that ergonomics standardization of school furniture should be considered to prevent its possible consequences.
Alireza Ghorbanpour, Shahnaz Tabatabaei, Reza Gholamnia,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Objectivse: The employees of an industrial sector, especially the food industry, tackle many problems due to their type of job. Among these staff, non-standard working postures is known as a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. Musculoskeletal disorders affect the function and self-efficacy of these people and ultimately leads to a reduction in their performance. Therefore, in this case, research entitled: Study of risk factors of the ergonomic work environment and its relation with self-efficacy and job performance of employees of the food industry has been done.
Methods: A total of 202 people were selected as the sample group using a random sampling method. Then they completed the research questionnaires. The research tools consisted of Paterson's job performance questionnaire, Scherer general self-efficacy, Key Indicator method and a five-point body map questionnaire for assessing body organs discomfort and prevalence. Data was analyzed using SPSS 19.
Results: There was a significant difference between the level of risk of musculoskeletal disorders and their job performance and between the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The lower back showed the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. There was a significant difference between the levels of risk of musculoskeletal disorders with job performance and also between musculoskeletal disorders with job performance and self-efficacy. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between job performance and self-efficacy.
Conclusion: The results indicated the role of self-efficacy in preventing behaviors that lead to exacerbation of musculoskeletal disorders. This will ultimately be reflected in their job performance and both the individual and the organization concerned. Also, employing high self-efficacy staff can improve work performance and productivity and contribute to better production processes.
Seyed Taghi Mirmohammadi, Osman Gook, Seyed Nouroddin Mousavinasab, Hadi Mahmoodi Sharafe,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Bank staff do much of their work using computers, Their equipment and layout may put the body in an inappropriate position and lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSDs in bank staff and its relationship with office tensions.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 173 employees of Melli Bank of North Khorasan Province. The prevalence of MSDs was estimated through CMDQ, Risk factors were estimated through ROSA and data were entered into SPSS 20. Then their relationship with each other and with the equipment layout was determined by Spearman test.
Results: The mean ROSA scores were 4.73±0.793 and 63.6% of the postures were in the intervention group. The mean CMDQ scores were 103.63±181.004. Spearman test showed a good correlation between ROSA and CMDQ results (P=0.021, R= 0.175). There was a significant relationship between work experience and prevalence of MSDs (P=0.037, R=0.159). Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant relationship between education level and CMDQ scores (P=0.38). The most common disorders in the organs were neck (53.8%) and lower back (49.7%).
Conclusion: Given the correlation between the ROSA results and the CMDQ, they can be used together. The change should be considered immediately for persons who are in intervention group. The chair and monitor played a more important role in raising the ROSA score. Improvements should be made by providing an ergonomic chair as well as a proper layout of other equipment such as a monitor.
Parisa Hassanzadeh, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Iraj Mohebbi,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Macro Ergonomics is a socio-technical approach that deals with organizational, and work system design, as well as the design of human-machine, human-environment, and human-job interactions. Researches show that workplace macroeconomic’ conditions have undesirable effects on employees’ health, and hospital staff experience high levels of occupational stress and high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relation between macroeconomic’ condition and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders as well as outcomes of job stress among employees of hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study and 350 employees who randomly were selected from 5 hospitals participated in this study. Macro-ergonomic, Nordic and job stress outcomes questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Chi-square tests were applied for data analysis.
Results: The findings of the present study indicated that out of 350 participants 217 (62%) were female and 168 were nurses (48%). Their mean age was 36.63 (±8.13) years and their average work experience was 11.53 (±7.65) years. The results of ANOVA test showed that the status of macro-ergonomics was significantly different in hospitals and hospital 1 had favorable condition. The majority of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms were reported in the neck (75.7%), hip, and waist (73.7%). The average score of job stress outcomes for the participants was lower than favorable limit. Macro-ergonomic’ conditions had significant associations with musculoskeletal disorders and job stress’ outcomes.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, macro-ergonomic conditions had significant effects on musculoskeletal disorders and job stress outcomes. Interventional efforts should focus on organization and developing macro-ergonomic training programs to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and job stress and improve job conditions in hospitals.
Hassan Sadeghi Naeini, Mohammad Zolfaghari,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (10-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Annually, a percentage of the profits from the sale of goods and services by producers are spent on costs of musculoskeletal disorders due to non-compliance with ergonomic conditions. These costs are not favorable for organizations and employees and in most cases, ergonomic risk factors affect the quality of life of employees.
Methods: The present field study was conducted as a census on 193 workers with medical records in one of the domestic automotive industries on December 2018. The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders belonged to 16 workers, so their workstations were analyzed. Questionnaire with the help of Nordic questionnaire and through interviews with workers has been one of the methods of collecting data. Each of the selected workstations was analyzed with OWAS method after job photography and video recording.
Results: The results showed that three work stations from the viewpoint of Action Categories are at the level of three, three work stations at the level of two and one station at the level of one, and then the costs of incidence and treatment and related actions due to establishing ergonomic conditions were calculated.
Conclusion: Cost of workstations analysis, Preventive actions and also designing a process to reduce the musculoskeletal abnormalities of the staff, which results in ergonomic conditions, compared with the cost of incidence and treatment of musculoskeletal complications is cost-effective for this automotive industry.
Abbasali Jafari-Nodoushan, Golnaz Bagheri, Fatemesadat Mosavi Nodoushan,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (10-2020)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Faculty Members of the university have a fundamental role in education and its quality. Working conditions of the faculty members have made them face severe musculoskeletal disorders. The spread of the COVID-19 virus, the closure of universities and the virtual education have made working conditions of the faculty members more difficult than before. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the virus on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the faculty members of the university and the extraction of variables affecting the disorders.
Methods: This descriptive-survey study was conducted in 2020 on 220 faculty members of Yazd University who were selected by the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using the standardized Nordic questionnaire in two stages before and after the spread of the virus and were analyzed in SPSS 25 by paired sample t-test, independent t-test, and analysis of variance.
Results: Musculoskeletal disorders after the spread of the virus in most organs have increased significantly, so that frequency percentage in the neck for the three campuses has increased from 36%, 40%, and 31% to 55%, 52%, and 44 %. There is a significant relationship between gender, work experience, and teaching method with the prevalence of disorders. Most disorders were in the back, neck, and knees.
Conclusion: A small percentage of faculty members perform sports activities and daily exercises that by planning on them can reduce the disorders. The university can also prevent the centralization of education at a specific time by dividing the virtual education during the day and week and reduce the disorders.
