Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among clinical laboratory workers

Atheer F AlNekhilan; Anfal M AlTamimi; Bothainah Y AlAqeel; Alanoud A AlHawery; Shoog F AlFadhel; Emad M Masuadi

doi:10.4103/ajm.ajm_67_19

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among clinical laboratory workers

Avicenna J Med. 2020 Jan 23;10(1):29-34. doi: 10.4103/ajm.ajm_67_19. eCollection 2020 Jan-Mar.

Authors

Atheer F AlNekhilan¹, Anfal M AlTamimi¹, Bothainah Y AlAqeel¹, Alanoud A AlHawery¹, Shoog F AlFadhel¹, Emad M Masuadi¹

Affiliation

¹ College of Medicine, King Saud ben Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among clinical laboratory workers.

Materials and methods: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study included the clinical laboratory departments of six governmental tertiary and secondary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The selected instrument was a self-administered adapted standardized questionnaire. The sample comprised 306 laboratory workers, and the selected sampling technique was a non-random convenient method.

Results: The overall prevalence of WMSDs in any body region was 82% in the last 12 months; it was mainly linked to lower back pain (61%). In the logistic regression, age <30 years, working in specific laboratories and working in hematology/flow-cytometry laboratory divisions were all found to be significant risk factors (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Clinical laboratory workers are at a high risk for WMSDs; it is essential that we take preventative action to address this.

Keywords: Ergonomics; laboratory workers; musculoskeletal disorders; occupational hazards; work-related musculoskeletal disorders.