RESUMO
Background: There are some challenges about the role of work- related stress on development of musculoskeletal complaints. The present prospective study was conducted on nurses of Milad hospital in Tehran (Iran) to assess the role of work- related stress on development of neck and shoulder pain among nurses. Methods: From the 1,900 nurses who completed the registry forms, 1,450 nurses met the inclusion criteria. We divided the participants into exposed and unexposed groups according to their DASS-21 scores. We collected the data of neck and shoulder pain among the nurses at two points of the first and the second year after the study, using the Nordic Questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative variables were compared between the exposed and unexposed variables with chi-square and independent sample t-test, respectively. Results: One year after the commencement of the study, 62 (9.1%) nurses in the exposed group and 36 (4.7%) in the unexposed group had been reported as new cases of neck and shoulder pain, respectively. The incidence of the new cases of neck and shoulder pain was significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (p= 0.001). Two years after the start of the study, at the second follow-up point, 135 (19.8%) nurses in the exposed group and 76 (9.9%) in the unexposed group had been reported as new cases of neck and shoulder pain, respectively. The incidence of new cases of neck and shoulder pain was significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of neck and shoulder pain was higher in those nurses with high level of workrelated stress. According to our results, more attention should be paid to mental health as well as physical symptoms and limitations of the healthcare workers when they refer to occupational health services with musculoskeletal pain complaints.
RESUMO
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important problems in the health workforce. These discomforts cause many working days losses, increase absenteeism from work, and impose annual economic costs. Awkward posture is the most important factor among the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed at implementing an interventional ergonomic program to minimize musculoskeletal disorder among dentists. Methods: This semi- experimental study was conducted on 75 dentists of Milad hospital using a census method. The Nordic Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the intervention was to apply optical magnification lens whose impact on reducing musculoskeletal disorder had been previously investigated. Corlett and Bishop Scale was used to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders before and after the intervention. Paired t-test was conducted to compare the discomfort intensity before and after the intervention. Results: The results revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in neck, back, shoulder, and arm were higher than other areas of the body in dentists. There was a significant difference in discomfort intensity of the neck, shoulder, arm, back, elbow, forearm, and the whole body after the ergonomic intervention (p<0.05). Surveys on improving working conditions using the magnification lens revealed that more than 89% of the individuals expressed that the use of the lens increased the ease while working. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the use of optical magnification loupes, because of providing a suitable posture while working, could reduce musculoskeletal disorders in different areas of the body. Thus, we can predict that the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders will be reduced in dentists in a long run if they use optical magnification loupes.
