Relationship between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and postural status and ergonomic risk factors in the workplace

Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries and known as the most common cause of absenteeism. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in one of the faculty of Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was done between 108 administrative staff (n=57) and professors (n=51 people) in one faculty of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2020. Nordic standard questionnaire, comprehensive ergonomic checklist for office work environments and rapid assessment of administrative stress (ROSA) were used.

The results of the study showed that the highest prevalence of pain or discomfort in a recent year was in the shoulder (50%) and leg (50%). The evaluation by ROSA method showed that 34% of the subjects were in the area of need for ergonomic intervention. Remarkebly, there was also a significant relationship between the final score of ROSA and the three main parts of the ergonomic checklist (P<0.05).

Given the association between prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and workplace ergonomic risk factors, control measures should be taken to improve risk factors.