Musculoskeletal pain among medical students at two Jordanian universities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a debilitating multi-perceptual condition afflicting many individuals, especially individuals in the medical profession. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among medical students at Jordanian universities during the complete virtual learning process. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 593 medical students at two Jordanian universities was conducted. A modified Nordic questionnaire was used to assess musculoskeletal pain in three body regions. RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-three students at the two Jordanian universities participated in this study. The prevalence of having MSK pain during the past week in the neck, shoulder, and lower back was 34.6%, 27%, and 41%, respectively; during the past 12 months, it was 61.2%, 45.5%, and 63.1%, respectively. Overall prevalence of having MSK pain was 58.9% in the last week and 78.1% in the past 12 months. 66.8% of students who had psychosomatic symptoms and 62.3% of those with depressive symptoms in the past week had MSK pain. Students who studied 8 hours per day had higher percentages of MSK pain (68.4%) (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.965–1.312). The average number of hours using a computer per day was significantly associated with MSK pain (p= 0.032). MSK pain during the last week was significantly associated with psychosomatic symptoms (OR 1.842, 95% CI 1.272–2.668, p= 0.001). Family history of MSK pain was significantly related to the presence of the problem in participants (OR 1.732, 95% CI 1.182–2.538, p= 0.005). Gender, depressive symptoms, average hours of computer use per day, and average hours of study at home per day did not show significant relationships with MSK pain over the year. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of MSK pain was observed among medical students. Measures to balance in-person and virtual learning should be considered in medical schools to minimize the risk of MSK pain.