Abstract:
Background: Cardiac sonographers are at a high risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP), a major occupational health problem. With limited research on WMSP prevalence among this population in Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of WMSP in cardiac sonographers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia compared to a control group of healthcare professionals. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to cardiac sonographers (study group) and other healthcare professionals (control group) exposed to different occupational hazards, including allied healthcare professionals, physicians, and nurses. Modified versions of the Nordic, QuickDASH, and QuickDASH work questionnaires were used. The χ2 test was performed for comparisons. Results: A total of 168 participants completed the survey (mean age: 31.6 ± 7.7 years). Among them, 127 (76.1%) were females, comprising 61 (36.3%) sonographers and 107 (63.7%) controls. Overall, WMSP was more common (82% versus 65%, p = 0.020) and severe (p = 0.041) in cardiac sonographers than in controls. The most affected body regions in cardiac sonographers were the shoulders (72.0% versus 29.0%), followed by the hands (56.0% versus 24.6%), compared to those of the control participants. Pain experienced by cardiac sonographers significantly interfered with social and work-related activities (p < 0.05 for all). A higher number of cardiac sonographers planned to change their profession than control participants (41% versus 15.2%; p < 0.0001) owing to pain. Conclusions: WMSP was more common and severe in cardiac sonographers than in control participants of other healthcare professions in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia and interfered significantly with their social and work-related activities and future employment plans. Therefore, preventive interventional studies are required in the future.
摘要:
背景:心脏超声医师在工作相关的肌肉骨骼疼痛(WMSP)的风险很高,一个重大的职业健康问题。由于对沙特阿拉伯人群中WMSP患病率的研究有限,本研究旨在调查WMSP在沙特阿拉伯东部省的心脏超声检查者中的患病率和影响,与对照组的医疗保健专业人员相比.方法:对接触不同职业危害因素的心脏超声医师(研究组)和其他医护人员(对照组)进行电子问卷调查,包括专职医疗专业人员,医师,和护士。北欧的修改版本,QuickDASH,并使用了QuickDASH工作问卷。进行χ2检验进行比较。结果:共有168名参与者完成了调查(平均年龄:31.6±7.7岁)。其中,127(76.1%)为女性,包括61名(36.3%)超声检查者和107名(63.7%)对照。总的来说,WMSP更为常见(82%对65%,心脏超声检查者的p=0.020)和严重(p=0.041)。心脏超声检查者受影响最大的身体区域是肩膀(72.0%对29.0%),其次是手(56.0%对24.6%),与对照参与者相比。心脏超声检查者经历的疼痛显著干扰了社交和工作相关活动(全部p<0.05)。由于疼痛,与对照组相比,计划改变职业的心脏超声医师人数更多(41%对15.2%;p<0.0001)。结论:在沙特阿拉伯东部省的心脏超声检查者中,WMSP比其他医疗保健专业的对照参与者更为常见和严重,并且严重干扰了他们的社会和工作相关活动以及未来的就业计划。因此,未来需要进行预防性干预研究。