Work-Related musculoskeletal disorders among employees at nutrition unit, Pranangklao hospital

Abstract

           This study aimed to survey the prevalence and factors affecting the conditions at their workplaces. Self- administered questionnaires modified from the Standardised Nordic questionnaire were distributed to thirty-one employees at nutrition unit, Pranangklao hospital. Physical examinations were subsequently performed by physical therapist to unveil the physical impairments of employees which might occurred after the questionnaire implementation. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) technique was administered to assess the working postures. The data was collected twelve months prior to the study. Prevalences of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders found were knee, wrist/hand and lower back respectively. However,the results of the physical examination was slightly different from the questionnaire format. Work task, individual and psychosocial factors were also found to be involved statistical significantly. The REBA revealed that employees had been exposed to harmful postures and the results of questionnaire also showed high prevalence rate. Therefore, ergonomic intervention should be provided to prevent these problems.