Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare professionals at a provincial hospital in Morocco: prevalence and associated factors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14719/gst.e16Keywords:
ergonomics, healthcare professionals, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational health, risk factorsAbstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the main health problems affecting healthcare professionals. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MSDs and identify associated factors at the Ibn Baja Provincial Hospital Centre (PHC) in Taza, Morocco. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 healthcare professionals. professional were collected using a questionnaire covering socio-demographic and Occupational characteristics, ergonomic and organizational factors, and the consequences of MSDs. Associations were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was 67%. It varied according to Occupational category: 66.4% among nurses, 81.3% among midwives, 57.9% among doctors, 60% among nursing assistants and 70% among healthcare technicians. The most common sites of pain were the lower back (67 %), the back (61 %), the shoulders (45 %) and the knees (41 %). Multivariate analysis identified the following factors as being associated with MSDs: poor workplace ergonomics, a lack of training in MSD prevention, high work pressure, poor work organization, a BMI > 25 kg/m² and more than 10 years of work experience. MSDs were associated with pain, reduced work capacity, limitations in daily activities and absenteeism.This is the first study conducted at the Ibn Baja PHC in Taza to investigate MSDs among healthcare professionals and it highlights their hi gh prevalence as well as the major role of ergonomic, organizational, and individual factors in their occurrence.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Taoufik Akabli, Nacima Lachkar, Khadija Bouabid, Souad Senhaji, Hamid Toufik, Fatima Lamchouri (Author)
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