Prevalence and Determinants of Neck Pain Among Laboratory Technicians and Clerical Staff in a Tertiary Care Hospital:...

Introduction Neck pain is a leading cause of musculoskeletal disability worldwide, significantly diminishing productivity and quality of life. Occupational risk factors such as prolonged static postures, repetitive upper-limb movements, and poor ergonomic practices are well documented. In hospital settings, laboratory technicians and clerical staff are particularly vulnerable due to sustained task-specific activities and extended periods of sitting. Despite this, these groups remain underrepresented in occupational health research. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of neck pain among laboratory technicians and clerical staff in a tertiary care hospital, while the secondary objective was to identify associated occupational and individual risk factors. Materials and methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at R.L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Kolar, from July to August 2025. The study population consisted of 100 participants, evenly divided between laboratory technicians (n = 50) and clerical staff (n = 50), each with a minimum employment duration of six months. Data were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire designed to capture demographic information, occupational exposures, ergonomic practices, and history of neck pain. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while functional disability was assessed with the validated Neck Disability Index (NDI). Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify independent predictors of neck pain, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results The overall 12-month prevalence of neck pain was 71% (71/100; 95% CI: 61.9%-79.1%). When stratified by occupational group, the prevalence was significantly higher among laboratory technicians (42/50; 84%) compared to clerical staff (29/50; 58%) (p = 0.002). The mean Neck Disability Index (NDI) score was 18.5 ± 8.2, indicating moderate functional impairment. Multivariate analysis identified female gender (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-4.5; p = 0.007), engagement in static postures exceeding four hours daily (aOR = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.1-8.0; p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m² (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0-3.6; p = 0.04), and low ergonomic awareness (aOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1; p = 0.01) as significant independent predictors of neck pain. Conclusion The findings indicate a high prevalence of neck pain among laboratory technicians and clerical staff, with significant associations to prolonged static postures and poor ergonomic practices. Implementing targeted ergonomic interventions, encouraging regular breaks, and providing workplace health education programs may help reduce neck pain and improve occupational health outcomes.