Work-related musculoskeletal problems and associated factors among office workers. Issue 3 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Besharati, Alireza; Daneshmandi, Hadi; Zareh, Khodabakhsh; Fakherpour, Anahita; Zoaktafi, Mojgan
• Is Part Of: International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics. Volume 26:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 632
• Page End: 638
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: musculoskeletal disorders -- NASA task load index -- office workers -- pain -- rapid office strain assessment; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Human Engineering -- Periodicals; Occupational Health -- Periodicals; Ergonomie -- Périodiques; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Human engineering; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 620.8
• DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2018.1501238
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1080-3548

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose . The aim of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated factors among Iranian office personnel. Materials and methods . In this cross-sectional study, 359 Iranian office workers were included. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, the numeric rating scale, rapid office strain assessment (ROSA) and the NASA task load index (NASA-TLX). Results . Our findings showed that the highest prevalence rate of MSDs within the last 12 months and the highest pain/discomfort severity were related to the participants' necks. The mean performance, mental demand and effort subscale scores of the NASA-TLX were higher than other subscales (physical demand, temporal demand and frustration level). ROSA scores showed that 53.8% of the participants were in action level 1 (low MSD risk) and the rest (46.2%) were in action level 2 (high MSD risk). The pain/discomfort severity in the shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, thighs and ankles/feet was correlated to the final ROSA score. Age, gender, body mass index and some NASA-TLX subscales (effort, mental demand and performance) were associated with symptoms of MSDs in different body regions. Conclusions . Improving workplace conditions (both mentally and physically) is suggested for reducing and eliminating musculoskeletal problems among office workers.