Assessment of Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain Among University Staff Members

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Psychosocial Factors

Background:

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) present significant challenges and costs for organizations.
• Limited understanding of risk factors at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) hinders effective intervention development.
• A comprehensive examination of sociodemographic, ergonomic, psychological, and job satisfaction factors is crucial for PNU.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of WMSDs among female staff at PNU's health colleges.
• To identify individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial risk factors associated with musculoskeletal pain.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions for improving worker health and reducing pain.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 150 female staff members.
• Multistage sampling technique utilized at PNU health colleges in Saudi Arabia.
• Data collected via Google Forms questionnaire (December 2023 - April 2024) and analyzed using JMP software.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of musculoskeletal pain reported among participants.
• Significant correlations identified between pain and factors including prolonged sitting, poor posture, job stress, and low job satisfaction.
• Individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors emerged as key correlates of WMSDs.

Conclusions:

• Musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent in the studied staff population.
• Ergonomic and psychosocial factors are significant contributors to WMSDs.
• Targeted interventions addressing identified risk factors are essential for enhancing occupational health and productivity.