Musculoskeletal disorders among patients during a one-day outreach at Juba Military Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The number of patients presenting with musculoskeletal disorders to the outpatient clinic at Juba Military Hospital is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion and types of musculoskeletal disorders among patients attending the orthopaedic outreach clinic during September 2021.

Method: A cross-sectional study designed to determine the proportion and types of musculoskeletal disorders among patients presenting to Juba Military Hospital. One hundred and thirty-three patients were recruited. After informed consent, data were collected using a paper-based Questionnaire and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Result: A total of 327 patients presented to outreach clinic, 133 patients consented and were included in the study. The mean age was 41 years (3 to 73 years, SD 16.9); 52.6% were male and 47% female. The conditions diagnosed were osteoarthritis of major joints, 20.3%, low back pain 18.8%, non-union 15.8% and mal-union 11.3%. Among patients with knee problems, 54% were unilateral knee osteoarthritis and 28% bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Patients with back problems: 80% low back pain of unspecified cause, 16% spondylolisthesis and 4% Pott’s disease of the spine. Also 29% mal-union femur and 25% femoral neck fracture. Tibia condition: 40% Non-union, 20% mal-union Tibia fracture.

Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders are common among the residents of Juba city. There is high proportion of osteoarthritis and low back pain among other diagnosed conditions.