Musculoskeletal Disorders among Radiological Technologists at Governmental Hospitals-Gaza Governorates
Date
2012-01-07
Authors
Basma Talat Al-Agha
بسمه طلعت حسن الاغا
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Al-Quds University
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are widespread public health problem that affects quality of life
and productivity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs among
radiological technologists (RTs) working at governmental hospitals in Gaza Strip. The design of
this study was descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional one. The sample of this study consisted of 172
technicians (136 male and 36 female). The researcher used constructed self-administered
questionnaire for data collection. A pilot study on 15 RTs was conducted to test validity and
reliability of the study instrument. Different statistical procedures used for data analysis including
cross tabulation, percentage and Chi square.
The results showed that the overall prevalence of MSDs among study participants was 75.6%.
MSDs were higher among female RTs (91.7%) compared to male RTs (71.3%). Back was the
dominant site for MSDs and it constitutes 31.5%and stiffness was the dominant type of pain
(40.76%). Eighty three point five percent of male and 84.8% of female RTs complained of moderate
to severe MSP. The majority of RTs (79.2%) have intermittent episodes of pain and 56.2% of RTs
complained of pain for more than 6 months. Regarding pain onset, 90.0% of RTs developed pain
after they were employed in radiology department and 10.0% of RTs had MSP before working in
radiology department. There were no statistical significant differences in MSP in relation to
gender, age and years of experience. The highest complain of MSP (61.0%) was among RTs aged
\HDUV DQG OHVV DQG WKH ORZHVW FRPSODLQ ZDV DPRQJ 57V DJHG ± \HDUV RI
those who complained of MSP were employed foU ± \HDUV $PRQJ WKRVH ZKR FRPSODLQHG RI
pain, 82.3% asked for medical advice. Bending and twisting were the major risk factors for MSDs
(88.4%) followed by lifting heavy objects and cassettes (85.5%), lifting and transferring patients
(77.9%) and psychological pressure (77.3%), while sitting for long time (32.6%) and office work
(19.2%) were the lowest risk factors as perceived by RTs. Concerning workplace environment, 58.7
% of RTs reported that lighting in their workplace was unsuitable, 54.6% of RTs reported that
floor was unsuitable and 58.1% of RTs reported that staff number was unsuitable. The study
concluded that workplace modifications is needed (lighting and floor) beside the need to increase
the number of qualified staff. Priority suggestions to avoid MSDs were decreasing the number of
radiology procedures performed each day, distributing assignments fairly between staff and
avoiding lifting heavy objects.