Ergonomic Design as a Determinant for the Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office-Based Civil Servants in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Several reformations in the Civil Service have transformed the day-to-day activities in the sector from paper to the use of computer sets. However, the use of computer is characterized with high sedentary lifestyles and repetitive tasks among office-based workers, but there are limited studies conducted to evaluate the effect of this new working condition among civil servants. This study was conducted to investigate ergonomic design as a determinant of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Office-based Civil Servants in Ondo State, Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. The study was a cross-sectional design using multistage sampling techniques to recruit 308 respondents. Structured and adapted questionnaires were used to assess ergonomic designs in offices and prevalence of pain. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, descriptive statistics was used for sociodemographic of respondents and Spearman rho’s correlation coefficient was used to compare relationship between variables. Results were presented in tables and charts. Majority of the respondents were female, married and between the ages 30-34. The mean age of the respondents was 36.21±8.75 years. 35 of the respondents were confounders and were exempted from completing the study on pain. There was 92.7%, 59.1% and 19.4% of 12 months, one week and point pain prevalence respectively among the 273 respondents that participated fully in the study. Most respondents have poor knowledge of ergonomics (61.9%) but 96.7% have good ergonomic practices (96.7%). There was no significant relationship between ergonomic design and prevalence of WRMSD (r=0.090, p=0.136), but there was a significant relationship between ergonomic practice and ergonomic awareness (r=0.247, p=0.001). Also, there was significant relationship between office ergonomic practice and prevalence of WRMSD (r=-0.142, p=0.019). Ergonomic design is not a determinant for the prevalence of WRMSD. However, the knowledge and correct practice of ergonomic among office-based civil servants can help to reduce the prevalence of WRMSD. Therefore, it is recommended that government should ensure the implementation of correct ergonomic practices in Civil Service. Also, government should provide regular trainings such as seminars and conferences on ergonomics for their workers.