MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

Background: Spinal pain (SP), encompassing low back, neck, and upper back discomfort, is a prevalent musculoskeletal problem among healthcare professionals and students. Clinical postings expose Basic Medical Sciences students to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing, awkward postures, and repetitive patient handling, predisposing them to SP. Despite its burden, limited research has examined its prevalence and associated factors among students across different health disciplines in Nigeria. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern, contributing factors, coping strategies, and functional limitations related to spinal pain among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings at the University of Benin. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 351 students from Physiotherapy, Nursing, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Science departments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, spinal pain prevalence (12-month and 7-day recall), and the Spinal Functional Index (SFI). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The 12-month prevalence of lower back pain, upper back pain, and neck pain was 51.9%, 12.5%, and 21.4%, respectively. Within the past 7 days, prevalence rates were 42.2%, 14.8%, and 17.1%. Physiotherapy and Nursing students reported the highest occurrence of spinal pain. Although 20.5% of respondents sought medical care or missed activities due to pain, most reported mild functional limitations (mean SFI = 4.57 ± 2.78). There was no significant relationship between age and functional limitation (r = –0.028, p = 0.597), or between posting hours and functional limitation (r = 0.104, p = 0.052). Gender showed no significant association with spinal pain prevalence. Conclusion: Spinal pain is highly prevalent among Basic Medical Sciences students during clinical postings, particularly among those in physiotherapy and nursing. The findings underscore the need for ergonomic education, workload management, and institutional policies that prioritize student musculoskeletal health. Keywords: Spinal pain, Basic Medical Sciences students, clinical postings, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain, University of Benin.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of occupational disability worldwide, particularly among manual laborers such as bricklayers who are frequently exposed to physical stressors like lifting, bending, and awkward postures. Despite its impact on productivity and health, there is limited local data on LBP among bricklayers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 222 active bricklayers in Egor LGA using a structured, validated questionnaire adapted from the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence data, while Chi-square tests and logistic regression were applied to determine associations between LBP and occupational/personal factors at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Findings revealed that the 12-month prevalence of LBP among bricklayers was high. Significant occupational factors associated with LBP included prolonged bending, lifting heavy materials, poor posture, and long working hours. Personal factors such as age, smoking, and elevated body mass index (BMI) also contributed significantly. The majority of affected workers reported recurrent pain episodes that interfered with daily work performance and overall well-being. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among bricklayers in Egor LGA is substantial and largely attributable to preventable ergonomic and behavioral factors. Strengthening ergonomic education, enforcing rest breaks, and promoting the use of mechanical aids can reduce the burden of LBP and enhance worker productivity.

Background of study: Musculoskeletal disorders can affect different parts of the body, upper and lower back, neck, shoulders and extremities. Driving involves routine muscular efforts, awkward sitting postures, long distance driving and exposure to whole body vibrations which are recognized as factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
Aim: To determine the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among intra campus commercial drivers in University of Benin
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 male intra campus commercial drivers. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess lifetime, 12 months and 7 days prevalence of low back pain, neck pain and shoulder pain. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the obtain data. Chi square and spearman rho correlation test were used to assess the association and correlation between driving hours, age, BMI, driving duration with prevalence of low back pain, neck pain and shoulder with p value set at 0.05.
Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain were 50%, 15% and 33.8%. BMI and driving hours were associated with lifetime prevalence of low back pain (p<0.05) while driving duration was associated with 12 month prevalence of neck pain (p=0.03). Driving hours was also associated with life time prevalence of shoulder pain (p=0.04)
Conclusion: The Intra-campus commercial drivers in University of Benin have high prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders with low back pain taking the highest percentage, but low prevalence of shoulder pain and lastly neck pain in this study. It was also established from the findings of this study that BMI, driving hours, duration of driving contributes to the risk of experiencing MSDs

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common occupational hazard among nurses, primarily due to the physically intensive nature of their duties. These disorders negatively affect the health, productivity, and quality of life of healthcare workers. In tertiary healthcare institutions, the workload and physical demands can vary significantly across different specialty areas, potentially influencing the prevalence and pattern of MSDs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, types, and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among nurses across various specialty units in a tertiary healthcare institution in Benin City, Edo State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in specialty units such as emergency, intensive care, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data and identify significant associations. The findings revealed a high prevalence of MSDs among nurses, with the most affected body regions being the lower back (72%), neck (55%), and shoulders (48%). Emergency and intensive care unit nurses reported the highest incidence of MSDs. Key risk factors identified included manual lifting of patients, prolonged standing, awkward postures, and insufficient staffing. Nurses with longer years of service and those lacking ergonomic training were significantly more affected. Musculoskeletal disorders are widespread among nurses in this tertiary healthcare institution, with noticeable variations across specialty areas. There is a critical need for ergonomic interventions, routine training, and improved staffing policies to reduce the burden of MSDs among nurses