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Profession-related musculoskeletal disorders among Egyptian physicians and dentists

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Abstract

Aim

To assess prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and possible work-related risk factors among physicians compared to dentists.

Subjects and methods

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional comparative study among 131 physicians and 66 dentists in three hospitals in Beni Suef city. Data gathered from the questionnaires included: socio-demographic data, occupational risk factors, and musculoskeletal symptoms, following the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ).

Results

Age ranged from 30 to 55 years, with a mean age of 35.2 ± 5 years among physicians. Smoking was significantly more frequent among physicians than dentists (22.9% vs 10.6% respectively). The mean for hours of physical exercise per week was 1.28 ± 2.46 for dentists compared to 1.16 ± 2.24 for physicians. Regular physical activity was performed by 22.9% of physicians and 22.7% of dentists. Most of the dentists (97%) reported prolonged standing,compared to 76.3% of physicians (P < 0.0001); similarly, prolonged sitting was significantly higher among dentists (77.3%) compared to physicians (60.3%) (P = 0.01). Twisting movements were higher among dentists (90.9%) than physicians (68.7%) (P = 0.001). Only 4.5% of dentists had enough rest time, compared to 22.1% of physicians (P = 0.002).

MSDs were significantly higher among dentists (90.9%) than physicians (74%). Low-back pain (74.2%), upper-back pain (62.1%), ankle pain (37.9%), shoulder pain (33.3%), and wrist pain (30.3%) were significantly higher among dentists.

Conclusions

MSDs were more prevalent among dentists. Prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, posture twisting, and lack of enough rest time were major work-related risk factors for MSDs. Musculoskeletal health awareness and improving physicians’ and dentists’ knowledge towards musculoskeletal disorders should be encouraged.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all participants and the persons who helped us in conduction of the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Mohamed Hassan Street, AL Shamlah Beni-Suef, Egypt

    Shaimaa A. Senosy, Manal M. Anwar & Heba R. Elareed

Authors
  1. Shaimaa A. Senosy
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  2. Manal M. Anwar
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  3. Heba R. Elareed
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Contributions

The authors have all contributed substantially to conception of the study, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of the article, and critical revision of the article. All authors have given final approval to the article as submitted.

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Correspondence to Manal M. Anwar.

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Senosy, S.A., Anwar, M.M. & Elareed, H.R. Profession-related musculoskeletal disorders among Egyptian physicians and dentists. J Public Health (Berl.) 28, 17–22 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01016-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01016-0

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