Risk Factors for Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Among OfficeWorkers in Qom Province, Iran
نویسندگان
1 Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
2 Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
3 Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
doi
چکیده
Background: The identification of the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is the first step in designing effective preventiveinterventions.Objectives: To investigate the association between individual, organizational, physical, and psychological factors and upper extremityMSDs (i.e., shoulder, elbow and hand/wrist).Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the study population was comprised of office workers from Qom Province,Iran. Of the 1630 Iranian office workerswhowere selected via a random multistage cluster sampling method, 1488 completed a comprehensivedata collection form designed to investigate the individual, organizational, physical, and psychological factors relatedto MSDs (response rate: 91.3%).Results: The predictors of shoulder MSDs in the past 12 months were uncomfortable sitting posture ( = 0.42, P = 0.04), limited restbreaks ( =0.73, P = 0.012), and no access to adjustable desks ( = 0.43, P = 0.018). Working on a computer for more than five hours( = 0.61, P = 0.004) and an uncomfortable sitting posture ( = 0.79, P = 0.001) predicted hand/wrist symptoms.Conclusions: Various risk factors in the workplace may contribute to MSDs in different upper extremities. Preventive interventionsshould hence include ergonomic and office equipment modifications.
