Nazzal MS, Oteir AO, Alrawashdeh A, Alwidyan MT, Obiedat Q, Almhdawi KA, Ismael NT, Williams B. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors affecting emergency medical services professionals in Jordan: a cross-sectional study.
BMJ Open 2024;
14:e078601. [PMID:
38631837 PMCID:
PMC11029251 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078601]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Emergency medical services (EMSs) personnel are at high risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). However, no studies have yet investigated the prevalence and effect of these disorders on the Jordanian EMS personnel. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among Jordanian EMS personnel and its associated factors.
DESIGN
This study used a cross-sectional design. Participants were asked to complete a self-administrated and validated questionnaire to measure the WMSDs, including a demographic survey and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were used.
SETTING
The Jordanian Civil Defence stations in the main cities of Jordan.
PARTICIPANTS
The sample consisted of 435 EMS workers which were obtained across the country of Jordan. A total of 79.0% of the participants were male, with a mean age of 27.9 (±4.3 SD) years.
RESULTS
The pain in the lower back (308, 70.8%) and neck (252, 57.9%) were the most reported in the last 12 months. Furthermore, about half of the participants reported having pain in their upper back (234, 53.8%), knee (227, 52.2%) and shoulder (226, 52.0%) pain in the last 12 months. Overall, WMSDs in at least one body part were significantly associated with age, experience, being a male, increased body mass index and lower educational level.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among EMS personnel. Multiple variables may be incorporated into a national prevention campaign and professional development programme to educate EMS personnel on avoiding WMSDs.
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