The prevalence, patterns and factors associated with work related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents in Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: In the medical sector, surgeons work in an environment that is not ergonomically ideal, and many suffer work-related  musculoskeletal symptoms that may result in reduced quality of life, disability, and diminished career longevity. While data exists on  musculoskeletal symptoms in practising surgeons, this is not the case for trainee surgeons.

Objective: To determine the prevalence,  patterns and factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents working in Kenyatta National  Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done to determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with  work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among surgical residents working in Kenyatta National Hospital. An electronic questionnaire  based on the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was sent to all participants via electronic messaging.

Results: Two hundred  and seventeen responses were received. The overall prevalence of workrelated musculoskeletal symptoms was 93%. The most commonly  affected anatomic region was the lower back (68%) followed by the neck (47%). Residents from the thematic units of urology, paediatric surgery and general surgery had a 100% prevalence rate of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Residents from plastic  surgery and ophthalmology units had the lowest prevalence rates (83% and 84% respectively). Neck symptoms were associated with  using loupes (OR, 2.9, p=0.02) and microscopes (OR, 2.2, p=0.05). Female gender was associated with wrist/hand symptoms (OR, 3.84, p=0.01). Increasing age was associated with symptoms in the neck (OR, 1.22 p=0.002) and lower back (OR, 1.15 p=0.03). No association  was found between overall prevalence and thematic unit (p=0.13), year of study (p=0.903) or hours in theatre (p=0.97).

Conclusion and  recommendations: Surgical residents experience a significantly high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Urology,  paediatric surgery and general surgery residents had the highest overall prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms.