| dc.description.abstract | Background: Musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) involve the locomotor apparatus
manifesting with pain, numbness and/or disability. Prevalence of work related MSDs
in surgeons ranges from 8% to 70% with higher prevalence in Low and middle
income countries (LMICs). The factors associated with Work Related
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) may be individual such as; physical
conditioning and demographic factors , or environmental. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and factors associated with
MSDs among surgeons in Uganda. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among trainees and specialist surgeons
registered with UMDPC. We interviewed 124 participants using a questionnaire
adopted from the Nordic Musculo-skeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and Dutch
Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (DMQ). Data analysis: At univariate level, we presented analysed data in form of frequencies
and percentages. We analysed relationships between independent and dependent
variables using both Fishers exact test and the Chi Square tests. We considered
variables with significant association with MSDs in bivariate analyses for the full
regression model. We obtained ethical approval from Makerere University School of
Medicine Research and Ethics Committee(SOMREC). REC REF 2020-007
Results: Overall prevalence of MSDs was 90%; 12 month and 7 day prevalence of
MSDs were 88.7% and 65.3% respectively. Most common anatomical locations of
MSDs were low back (91%), neck(64%), upper back(48%), shoulders(52%) and
wrist/hand(53%). Factors associated with MSDs at multivariate analysis were; ‘use of
private car for transport’ Prevalence Ratio (PR)(7.54);‘working with arms at or above
shoulder level’ PR(0.019); and ‘work in the same posture for long’ PR(0.0051). Conclusion: MSDs are highly prevalent among surgeons in Uganda compared to
other LMICs, commonly affecting the lower back and it is necessary to urgently
address this problem to protect human | en_US |
