Frequency of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Housekeepers

Background: Housekeeping profession is regarded as a major workforce. Housekeepers also undertake push-pull jobs that entail biomechanical strain factors such as joint torque, compressive and shear forces, and their influencing variables such as specific muscle activity, body positioning, exertion direction, and workspace environment Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among housekeepers, its association with working hours and to determine the area of the body more prone to develop musculoskeletal disorders among housekeepers. Methodology: A cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling technique was conducted in schools, colleges, universities and hospitals of Islamabad and Rawalpindi from February 2019 to June 2019. After obtaining consent, data was collected from 400 participants through a self-structured questionnaire which included demographics, pain-related questions, Visual Analogue Scale and Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. SPSS version 23.0 was used to enter data and for analysis of the data. Results: A total of 400 participants (male=281, female=119) participated in the study, in which 59% (N=236) had work-related musculoskeletal discomfort. 17.3% of participants reported that the more prone area to pain is the lower back and the least prone areas were head, wrist/hand, upper and mid-back, with the frequency of 0.3%.31.2% participants reported moderate intensity of pain according to visual analogue scale (VAS). There was a non-significant association (p>0.05) between working hours per day and work related musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: It is concluded that housekeepers have a high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Low back has the highest frequency of pain followed by head, wrist/hand, upper and mid-back. The visual analogue scale shows that most of the housekeepers have moderate intensity of pain. There is a non-significant association of frequency of work related musculoskeletal pain with working hours. Keywords: Housekeepers, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders.