Studying the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among a sample of medical students in Damascus, Syria. A cross-sectional study

Background: A considerable number of medical students experience musculoskeletal pain (MSP) during their academic years. In this study, we seek to determine the prevalence of MSP, as well as its associated risk factors, among a sample of medical students at two major universities in Damascus, Syria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two universities, with a total of 2009 medical students participating in filling-in the paper-based questionnaire. A modified version of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was utilized in this study.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 2009 medical students. The majority were between the ages of 21 and 25 years old, female (53%), and in their clinical years (55%). 1081 (54%) of all students had at least one MSP site in the previous week, while 1654 (82%) had at least one MSP site in the last year. MSP in the previous week was strongly linked with a history of trauma (odds ratio [OR] 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79-2.86, p = 0.001), as well as a family history of MSP (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12-1.76, p = 0.0029). MSP in the previous year was significantly associated with gender (OR 0.637, 95% CI 0.50-0.80, p = 0.0001), history of trauma (OR 4.59, 95% CI 2.93-7.17, p ≤ 0.001), and family history of MSP (OR 4.59, 95% CI 1.36-2.68, p = 0.0002). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with MSP in the previous week and last year were familial history of MSP (p = 0.0457) (p = 0.0024), respectively, and a history of trauma (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion: MSP had a high prevalence among Syrian medical students, especially female students, those with history of trauma, and those with a family history of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). This major health problem should be known to medical institutions, and awareness programs are required.