Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among paramedics working in a large hospital in Ahwaz, southwestern Iran in 2010.

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common among employees throughout the world, particularly in high risk groups such as nurses. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of MSDs among nurses in a large hospital in Ahwaz, southwestern Iran, and to examine its correlation with gender, age, shift working, years at service and smoking. METHODS Using a self-reported questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, Nordic questionnaire for MSDs was disseminated to all inpatient hospital paramedics (n = 195) in a large hospital in Ahwaz. RESULTS Questionnaires of 161 participants were completed and returned back for analysis (response rate of 83%). The reported prevalence of MSDs was very high in the studied paramedics so that more than 90% of them reported at least one MSD in last week. The most prevalent site affected was that of neck (64%) followed by head (62.1%), knees (54.7%) and wrists/hands (49.7%); the least frequent disorder was that of elbows (14.3%). MSD was more common in females and increased with age and years of service. Non-shift workers reported more neck and elbows MSDs than shift workers. CONCLUSION Considering the very high prevalence of MSDs among paramedics, it is suggested that they engage in an exercise program at their work place to lower the risk of MSDs and promote working efficiency.