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. 2016 Jun 13;18(10):e29518.
doi: 10.5812/ircmj.29518. eCollection 2016 Oct.

Risk Factors for Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Office Workers in Qom Province, Iran

Seyedeh Shohreh Alavi  1 , Mahya Abbasi  1 , Ramin Mehrdad  1
Affiliations

Risk Factors for Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Office Workers in Qom Province, Iran

Seyedeh Shohreh Alavi et al. Iran Red Crescent Med J. .

Abstract

Background: The identification of the risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is the first step in designing effective preventive interventions.

Objectives: To investigate the association between individual, organizational, physical, and psychological factors and upper extremity MSDs (i.e., shoulder, elbow and hand/wrist).

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the study population was comprised of office workers from Qom Province, Iran. Of the 1630 Iranian office workers who were selected via a random multistage cluster sampling method, 1488 completed a comprehensive data collection form designed to investigate the individual, organizational, physical, and psychological factors related to MSDs (response rate: 91.3%).

Results: The predictors of shoulder MSDs in the past 12 months were uncomfortable sitting posture (β = 0.42, P = 0.04), limited rest breaks (β=0.73, P = 0.012), and no access to adjustable desks (β = 0.43, P = 0.018). Working on a computer for more than five hours (β = 0.61, P = 0.004) and an uncomfortable sitting posture (β = 0.79, P = 0.001) predicted hand/wrist symptoms.

Conclusions: Various risk factors in the workplace may contribute to MSDs in different upper extremities. Preventive interventions should hence include ergonomic and office equipment modifications.

Keywords: Elbow; Hand; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Risk Factors; Shoulder; Wrist.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest:The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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