Work-related Stress, Musculoskeletal Disorder Complaints, and Stress Symptoms among Radiographers in the Northern Part of Jordan

Mustafa Alhasan; Mostafa Abdelrahman; Haytham Alewaidat; Khader Almhdawi; Mohammad Nazzal

doi:10.1016/j.jmir.2014.04.002

Work-related Stress, Musculoskeletal Disorder Complaints, and Stress Symptoms among Radiographers in the Northern Part of Jordan

J Med Imaging Radiat Sci. 2014 Sep;45(3):291-298. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2014.04.002. Epub 2014 Jun 7.

Authors

Mustafa Alhasan¹, Mostafa Abdelrahman², Haytham Alewaidat², Khader Almhdawi³, Mohammad Nazzal³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Allied Medical Sciences-Radiology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. Electronic address: mkalhasan@just.edu.jo.
² Department of Allied Medical Sciences-Radiology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
³ Department of Rehabilitation Sciences-Occupational Therapy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

PMID: 31051981
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2014.04.002

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to report the variation in work-related stressor (WRS) and musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) complaints across three major hospitals in the northern part of Jordan and to examine the correlations between stressors, MSD complaints, and stress symptoms using a questionnaire.

Methods: A qualified radiographer distributed a questionnaire in the radiology department at three hospitals, including a governmental public hospital (GH), a university educational hospital (UH), and a private hospital (PH). The questionnaire included demographic, WRS, management and responsibility stressors, stress symptoms, stress relievers, and MSD complaints sections. A total of 74 radiographers (GH = 28, UH = 29, PH = 17) agreed to participate after signing a consent form.

Results: The average age ranged from 30.8 ± 3.3 to 33.6 ± 1.4 (P = .6), and the average experience ranged from 6.2 ± 2.5 to 8 ± 1.2 years (P = .7) in the hospitals. The number of men was higher than women only in the UH (ratio = 2.6). The number of diploma degree holders was higher than the number of bachelor's degree holders only in the GH (ratio = 3). Stress symptoms such as depression and MSD complaints such as low back pain in the GH were significantly higher than the other hospitals. There was a significant correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.61, P = .04) between WRS and MSD complaints.

Conclusion: The GH had more MSD complaints and stress symptoms than the other hospitals. WRSs were correlated significantly with MSD complaints. Encouraging the radiographers to attend work stress management sessions may help in reducing the level of stress.

Keywords: computed tomography; radiographer; stress.