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OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work ability among nurses in South-west Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 135 nurses (126 females and 9 males) in tertiary, secondary, and private hospitals in Lagos state using 2 validated standard self-administered questionnaires. The instruments captured information on personal characteristics, and reported on WMSDs and work ability using the Modified Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and Work Ability Index (WAI). RESULTS: The point and 12-month prevalence of WMSDs was 95 (70.4%) and 81 (60%) among respondents, respectively. Lower back pain (35, (43.2%) was the most common work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Approximately half of the respondents (64 (47.4%) reported good work ability, and 125 (92.6%) reported that work ability was physically and psychologically demanding. The results showed a significant association between sex (p = 0.047) work status (p = 0.020) and work ability. There was no significant association between the 12-month prevalence of WMSDs and work ability of nurses in Lagos state (p = 0.406). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated good work ability, but a high prevalence of WMSDs among nurses in Lagos state. The job risk factors mostly reported by nurses were working in awkward and cramped positions. Furthermore, the work ability of nurses in Lagos state had no influence on the prevalence of WMSDs.
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OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine the preferences of students in selecting physiotherapy as a career choice and the factors that play key roles in their selection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 297 subjects ranging from 14 to 21 years of age was conducted among prospective university students. They were recruited from seven secondary schools in selected local government areas of Lagos state using a purposive sampling technique. A 14-item questionnaire, comparing physiotherapy to 11 selected occupations on six dimensions, that is, level of physical stress, salary, usefulness to society, responsibility, social status, and personal recognition as well as investigating factors considered important in selecting a career, was adapted from relevant literature. The data was analysed using mean, standard deviation, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The responses of 184 males (62.0%) and 113 females (38.0%) were used in the data analysis of this study. Physiotherapy was ranked fourth in terms of level of physical stress, third in terms of salary, fifth in terms of usefulness, fourth in terms of responsibility, fourth in terms of social status, and fourth in terms of personal recognition. Overall, physiotherapy was rated as the fourth-most preferred occupation. Prospective university students perceived physiotherapy as having a high level of occupational prestige, rating it fourth after medicine, engineering, and law. CONCLUSIONS: The profession of physiotherapy is held in high esteem and is seen as a desirable career choice among Nigerian high school students.
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OBJECTIVES: Smartphone addiction has been indicated to reduce the craniovertebral angle, thereby causing a forward head posture and increasing scapular dyskinesis. This study determined the correlation among smartphone addiction level, craniovertebral angle, scapular dyskinesis, and selected anthropometric variables in physiotherapy undergraduates. METHODS: Seventy-seven participants were recruited from the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, through a purposive sampling technique. The smartphone addiction level was assessed with the short version Smartphone Addiction Scale (English version). Craniovertebral and scapular dyskinesis were assessed using the photographic method. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data at an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: The analysis in this study revealed that many undergraduates are addicted to using smartphones. There was no significant difference in the addiction level (p = 0.367) and in scapular dyskinesis (p = 0.129) between male and female participants. However, there was a significant difference in craniovertebral angle (p = 0.032) between male and female participants. There was a significant relationship among smartphone addiction, craniovertebral angle (r = 0.306, p = 0.007), and scapular dyskinesis (r = 0.363, p = 0.007) in male and female participants. CONCLUSION: A high level of smartphone addiction reduces the craniovertebral angle and increases scapular dyskinesis. Therefore, the smartphone addiction level should be assessed in all patients with neck and shoulder pain to plan appropriate management.
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BACKGROUND: Physiotherapists are known to be prone to Work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) but its prevalence among physiotherapists in Nigeria has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence and work factors of WRMDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross- sectional survey was administered to physiotherapists in different parts of Nigeria using a 2- part questionnaire with items adopted from questionnaires used for similar studies around the world. Two hundred and seventeen copies of the questionnaire were distributed for self administration but 126 physiotherapists returned completed surveys for a 58.1% response. The data were analyzed using SPPS version 10 at alpha level of 0.05. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of chi2 were used as appropriate for data analysis. RESULTS: Reported 12- month prevalence of WRMDs among Nigerian physiotherapists was 91.3%. Prevalence of WRMDs was significantly higher in female physiotherapists (p = 0.007) and those with lower body mass index (p = 0.045). The low back (69.8%) was the most commonly affected body part, followed by the neck (34.1%). Fifty percent of the physiotherapists first experienced their WRMDs within five years of graduation and the highest prevalence (61.7%) was found among physiotherapists younger than 30 years. Treating large number of patients in a day was cited by most (83.5%) of the respondents as the most important work factor for their WRMDs. The most commonly adopted coping strategy identified was for the therapists to modify their position and/or the patient's position (64.3%). Majority of the respondents (87.0%) did not leave the profession but 62.6% changed and/or modified their treatment because of their WRMDs. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of WRMDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria is higher than most values reported for their counterparts around the world. The coping strategies and work factors of WRMDs among Nigerian physiotherapists are mostly similar to those of their counterparts elsewhere.