Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

---

Introduction: One of the major problems in hospitals leading to high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the health staff is associated with patients handling. This study was aimed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders using ergonomic intervention among Nahavand Alimoradian hospital staff.

Material and Methods: This study was conducted in four wards of 160-bed Nahavand Alimoradian hospital. The data collecting tool was Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. SPSS software was used for data analysis. The questionnaire was completed, before and after educational intervention, for 46 employees of the four wards which had the most complaints about musculoskeletal disorders. Training classes were held for the target group covering prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, proper techniques for patient handling and stretching exercises for low back pain prevention.

Results: The main results tended to be the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders especially in low back, shoulders and wrists of the employees. Low back pain was the most prevalent disorder among the personnel. The educational intervention had not significant effect on lessening the musculoskeletal disorders in hospital staff (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: At present, regarding enhancements in healthcare procedures, there is an urgent need to ergonomic intervention in the design of environment, tools and equipment concurrent with educational intervention. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

---

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main causes of work related injuries and disabilities in developed as well as developing countries. Few studies have considered different interactive effects of individual and work-related factors on MSDs, simultaneously. Methods and Materials: Data were gathered by Nordic questionnaire and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) method and were analyzed using logistic regression model in order to study the correlation between the prevalence and intensity of MSDs and individual and work-related factors. Results: More than half of all participants (61.6%) reported suffering from one form of MSDs during the past 6 months. Results showed that risk factors such as work stress, sleeping position, lifestyle and poor posture had an important role in the prevalence and intensity of MSDs. Discussion: The effect of a risk factor is constantly in interaction with other risk factors, and is modified by other factors. Participatory ergonomic intervention programs, work station intervention, ergo stress intervention and life-style interventions were suggested in order to decrease the prevalence and intensity of MSDs.

---

Introduction: Three methods of OCRA Index, Strain Index and ACGIH HAL are proposed to assess risk factors of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. These methods are important in work environments to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders. Thus the aim of this study is to determine the correlation between the results of the above mentioned methods. Materials and Methods: In this cross - sectional study, a total of 150 job tasks studied in four industries . For each task, not only video taping was used to record the duration of a full cycle but also tasks were evaluated according to instructions. The correlation coefficient and the coefficient of agreement were analysed using SPSS16 and R software. Results: Correlation between the results of risk assessment methods OCRA and SI for right and left hand, were acceptable correlation (0.751) and (0.726) respectively. Also the result of agreement between the methods OCRA and HAL for right and left hands, were (0.526) and (0.595) respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that none of the two methods do not fully agree. One of the source of differences is the number and types of variables and their effects on the final score of the methods.

---

 

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent one of the leading causes of occupational injury and disability in the developed and industrially developing countries. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and evaluate the risk of these disorders among welders of a steel manufacturing industry.

 

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was achieved on all 243 welders employed in a steel manufacturing industry. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to study the prevalence of MSDs. Meanwhile, QEC technique was employed to evaluate the risk of exposure to these disorders. For data analysis, central statistical indices, T-test and Chi-square test were used.

 

Results: The results suggested the highest prevalence of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in low back, trunk and knees, respectively. QEC technique showed a high and very high risk of exposure to MSDs in 64.6 % of welders.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the prevalence of WMSDs in welders under study was high. Based on the obtained results, the most significant ergonomic problems in welders were found to be awkward postures, manual material handling and back bending and twisting. Furthermore, the results suggested that QEC can present reliable findings in evaluating the risk level of exposure to WMSDs. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

---

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common consequences of poor working conditions associated with computer use. Regarding the lack of information about MSDs and the extensive use of computer among the university students in our country, this study aimed to explore the awareness level of ergonomic considerations in computer use and the prevalence of MSDs among university students.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 450 students of three faculties of medicine, dentistry and paramedical of Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2012. The subjects were selected by simple sampling method. The data were gathered by the researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 6 open and 10 closed questions. Data processing was performed by using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.  

 Results: The mean (SD) age of students was 21.7 (2.5) years, 64% were females and 67% were undergraduate students. Ninety percent of the students had personal computer and 48% had spent 1 hour or more on their computer daily. It has been reported that approximately 55% of students had suffered from MSDs and less than 10% of them had been familiar with ergonomic considerations in computer use. Chi-square test indicated a significant difference in the incidence of MSDs in terms of the duration of working with computer (p<0.05).

 Conclusion: The complaints of MSDs in about half of the students and the lack of awareness of ergonomic considerations in most of them suggest the possibility of increasing future problems. Therefore, regarding the inclination of most students in receiving information and their influential role in the dissemination of knowledge, performing interventional programs including education in computer ergonomic principles is recommended.   Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

---

Introduction: The development of the industry has led to an increased incidence of muscle-skeletal disorders. The disorders increased caused by factors such as type of job, repetition of work, intensity and duration of the work. Food industries, including industries that are doing the type of job that involves repetitive movements, this study examined was conducted the role of stress and other psychosocial factors on musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: The present cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in different organs and factors affecting food production was one of the workers. According to a random sample of 215 workers were studied with an average age of 39 years. To evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was used of the Nordic questionnaire, also for of occupational stress was used OSIPOW questionnaire the data obtained are analyzed by SPSS 16 software and processing of data with the descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test. Results: The results showed that the study population in the past 12 months the most common symptoms of lower back 69.8%. We were founded between stress and musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck, shoulder, wrist, upper back, a significant relationship (P<0.05). We were founded between smoking and low back pain (P <0.05), shoulder pain (P = 0.023), leg pain (P = 0.008) statistical test significant. As well as we were found between the average working hours per day and work experience, with musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, and BMI also a significant relationship. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study shows that job stress, work experience, BMI, the number of working hours and fatigue is considered a risk factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder.

---

Background: One of the main problems in the occupational workplace is musculoskeletal disorders. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept, including the ability of performance, health and mental statues that important factors such as physical, psychological, social relationships and personal attitude influence on quality of life .The aim of current study is assessment of impact of musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity on quality of life in automobile factory workers. Materials and Methods: In this study, from 453 automobile factory workers, 140 workers participated. In order to determine musculoskeletal disorders, quality of life and physical activity, Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire (SF 36) and physical activity questionnaire were used respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software with descriptive analysis and Pierson correlation analysis. Result: The results showed that the between physical function, activity limitation due to physical problems, bodily pain, vitality, public health and fatigue with musculoskeletal disorders were statistically significant correlation (P< 0.05). Between regular physical activity and musculoskeletal disorders and consequent with quality of life obtained significant correlation. Discussion: Physical activity (exercise) increases worker fitness and reduces probability risk of musculoskeletal disorders and increase quality of life.

---

 

Introduction: In the orthotic and prosthetic workshops, awkward postures, repetitive and continuously movements etc. are the risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was conducted with the objective of ergonomic assessment of working conditions in these workshops.

Material and Methods: In this study all employed personnel of linorthotic and prosthetic production centers in Shiraz city participated (n=42).Data were collected using Nordic Musculoskeletal disorders Questionnaire (NMQ) and Ergonomic Risk Factor checklist (ERF)for assessment of working conditions .Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (Ver. 16).

Results: The means (SD) of age and job tenure (years) in employees studied were 37.26 (10.21) and 12.8 (9.39), respectively .The most prevalent MSDs symptoms were reported in lower back (42.9%), shoulder (40.5%) and knee (40.5%).Working condition assessment by ERF check list revealed that the means core of upper and lower region of body and also mean of total score were higher than acceptable limit (more than 7)..

Conclusion: In working conditions improvement, corrective measures and MSDs risk factors control in studied workers should be noted to risk factors in low back, shoulder and knee. The results of this study showed that ergonomic problems in orthotics and prosthetics clinics was related to "custom shoe making", "grinding and finishing", "filling plaster cast" and "positive cast rectification" tasks and ergonomic interventions to decrees and/or eliminate of awkward working posture needed corrections.

---

 

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the leading problems among computer users. They have attracted increasing attention over years and different solutions have been proposed for their resolution. This study evaluated the effects of ergonomic training on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in computer users.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among the office workers of a university. A total of 110 computer operators were randomly selected and allocated to intervention and control groups. The intervention group was trained about the ergonomic principles of working with computers. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Moreover, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) was applied to determine the risk of musculoskeletal disorders before and six months after training. Data was analyzed using independent and paired t-test.

Results: The highest frequency of musculoskeletal disorders was seen in the back (55.4%) and neck (54.5%). In addition, risk assessment before the intervention suggested 31% of the participants to be high-risk. After the training program, significantly lower risk was detected in the intervention group. No such a significant difference was present in the control group.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that corrective actions can reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). They can thus be implemented to enhance the effectiveness of ergonomic measures.

     

---

Introduction: Unsuitable and nonstandard tools, insufficient lighting and the lack of adequate rest in carpet weavers leads to an increased prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in this group of workers that needs to be reduced through the better supervision of carpet weaving workshops.

Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional analysis was conducted in rural carpet weaving workshops of Takab, Iran. A total of 86 carpet weaving workshops were selected through cluster sampling, which employed 222 carpet weavers overall. The general and local lighting was measured in the workshops by a photometer (LX-13 model) and the workers' musculoskeletal disorders were assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

Findings: The results of the study reveal back disorders to have been the most (61.3%) and elbow disorder the least (7.2%) frequent among carpet weavers. The majority of the workshops had a general lighting (82.4% of the workshops) and local lighting (91.9% of the workshops) below the recommended limits.

Conclusion: The extended involvement of the upper limbs in carpet-weaving increases the prevalence of disorders in these organs. The results indicate that the majority of carpet weavers worked in workshops with non-standard lighting. The variables that were most effective in the development of neck and back disorders were the workers' years of work experience and the general lighting at their workplace while the variable that was most effective in the development of wrist and shoulder disorders was the workers' years of work experience only.

---

 

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are major concerns of the modern world due to their effect on the physical health and productivity of the workforce. More extensive research is therefore required to identify and prevent these injuries and control the risk factors causing their development.

 Materials and Methods: The present study uses a theoretical model of ergonomic interventions to examine and improve ergonomic conditions in an automobile spare part manufacturing plant. A total of 44 employees were selected through simple random sampling and according to the Morgan table from the 50 personnel working at the plant. The Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and the review of ergonomics tips inventory were used to identify the ergonomic risk factors. Based on the theoretical model used in the research, the ergonomic intervention was performed in two stages.

Findings: In the macro stage of the ergonomic intervention, 7 goals were set and 13 ergonomic recommendations were made in the form of several workshops and task forces. In the micro stage of the ergonomic intervention, 20 ergonomic risk factors were identified and 13 strategies and plans were suggested. With the senior manager's approval, 11 strategies entered the implementation stage with the aim of improving ergonomic conditions and increasing productivity at the workplace.

Conclusion: The main outcome of the comprehensive ergonomic interventions performed in the present study was a modified organizational culture, entailing both direct and indirect benefits, such as providing low-cost or no-cost solutions to the problems, creating an active environment of continuous improvement, increasing employees' motivation for participation and being innovative in solving the problems, increasing the inclination among the employees to be an innovative thinker, improving communication between the authorities and the personnel and increasing the employees' general knowledge and capabilities.

 

---

Introduction: Despite the introduction and development of agricultural mechanization in the dairy farm sector of Iran, many tasks are still performed by manual labor in the country’ dairy farms, including milking, and necessitate poor body postures and movements that help increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among hand milking workers.

Material and Methods: The present study was conducted to assess the postural workload of workers during hand milking in the dairy farms of Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University and Ramhormoz county. Three milking techniques were assessed, including traditional hand milking, milking stanchion (mobile milking unit) and tandem parlor milking (the double-3 tandem). The postural workloads of 34 male milking workers were evaluated through mixed-methods.

Results: The results obtained showed that hand and stanchion milking require major parts of the body to be in a bent position over 70% of the time due to the operations taking place at a low height from the ground. In contrast, tandem milking required the body to be in a straight position over 90% of the time due to the operations taking place at a substantial height from the ground. Moreover, in terms of finger posture, all three techniques required the workers’ five fingers to be wrapped around different milking tools and parts of the cattle throughout the processes.

Conclusion: Being bent for long periods of time during the process of hand and stanchion milking and standing upright for long periods during tandem milking both caused musculoskeletal disorders of the back and backache for workers of both traditional and mechanized milking. In the case of the finger posture, prolonged repetitive finger postures decrease for milking workers with the increased mechanization of milking.

---

Introduction: As workplaces, hospitals are filled with stressors, including environmental and physical stressors (such as noise pollution and poor lighting), human stressors (such as conflicts with colleagues) and organizational stressors (such as heavy workloads and unsuitable work shifts). The inability to cope with these stressors entails physical, psychological and behavioral outcomes for the employees. The present study was conducted to evaluate job stress in nursing personnel and to design a model for assessing the severity of musculoskeletal disorders caused by job stress among nurses.

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 500 nurses working in various teaching hospitals of Hamadan. Data were collected through four questionnaires, including the Job Content Questionnaire, Maslach’s Burnout Inventory, the Visual Analogue Scale and a Demographic Questionnaire. Data were then analyzed in SPSS-16 and LISREL-8.3 using descriptive statistics.

Results: The results of the structural equation modeling showed that job burnout has a mediating effect between the severity of musculoskeletal disorders and job stress. In other words, if factors contributing to job burnout are present, the psychosocial risk factors yielded by the Job Content Questionnaire then contribute to the severity of musculoskeletal disorders.

Conclusion: Given the negative effects of job stress among nurses, health decision-makers are recommended to take measures to reduce stressors such as the physical and psychological demands of the workplace, the lack of support and the lack of job security.

---

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the top 10 injuries accounting for absence from work. The Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E) is one of the many tools used to examine these disorders. The present study was conducted to translate and localize the NMQ-E and to evaluate the face validity and test-retest reliability of its Persian version.

Materials and Methods: The present non-empirical methodological study used the International Quality Of Life Assessment (IQOLA) approach to translate the NMQ-E into Persian. The face validity of the Persian version was examined in a sample of 15 patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and its absolute and relative test-retest reliability were examined in a sample of 48 patients using the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) and the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The Kappa coefficient was also used to measure the inter-rater agreement for nominal variables.

Results: The translation and localization of the NMQ-E was deemed easy and acceptable. All the items of the questionnaire had an acceptable face validity. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient and the Standard Error of Measurement of the Persian version of the NMQ-E were deemed acceptable (SEM=0.56-1.76 and ICC>0.7) and the Kappa coefficient was calculated as 0.78-1.00. 

Conclusion: The Persian version of the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire showed an acceptable validity and test-retest reliability for assessing musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian patients.

---

Introduction: There is a dearth of information available on psychological job demands and control in the job (decision latitude) and their relationship with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among Iranian nurses. The present study was conducted to investigate psychological job demands and control in the job and their relationship with the prevalence of MSD symptoms among nurses in hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). 

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 nurses at SUMS hospitals selected through systematic random sampling. Data were collected using the Persian version of the Job Content Questionnaire (P-JCQ), the standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and a demographic questionnaire. The data obtained were then analyzed in SPSS-11.5 using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results: The mean (SD) of the different dimensions of psychological job demands and control in the job were calculated as 38.19 (5.14) and 58.15 (6.50). The results revealed psychological job demands to be high and control in the job to be low. A total of 29.1% of the nurses suffered from a high job strain (a high demand and low control). Regression modeling showed that the chance of suffering from lower extremity disorders among the nurses placed in the cells indicating a high job strain cell was 2.35 times higher than those placed in the cells indicating a low job strain.

Conclusion: The demand-control model placed the majority of the nurses in the cells indicating a high job strain. Any interventional program designed for preventing MSDs among nurses should focus on increasing their control and changing their job conditions from a high strain condition to a low strain or active one.

---

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the major causes of work-related disability in healthcare workers (HCW). One of the main causes of WDSDs is patient handling. This study aimed to identify hazardous conditions related to patient handling in hospital environments.

Material and Methods: Patient handling activities were evaluated in 23 wards of three hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the required data through interviews with at least 23 HCW. Number of patient transfers per shift, patients’ ability to move to/from bed/stretcher, type and rate of personnel injuries, and necessity of transfer assist devices were surveyed.

Results: Over five manual patient transfers per shift were performed in 70% of the wards. More than 70% of the patients were completely or relatively unable to cooperate in their own transfer. In more than 80% of the wards, the staff involved in patient handling activities suffered from various WMSDs, mainly low back pain (48.78%). Almost all (95%) participants believed that transfer assist devices were necessary and helpful and could be beneficial to not only the patients, but also the HCW and the hospital.

Conclusion: Patients in most hospital wards need help when moving to/from bed/stretcher. Patient handling is generally performed manually by HCW. The high prevalence rate of WMSDs in the participating HCW highlighted the necessity of an ergonomic intervention, e.g. the use of transfer assist devices, for patient handling.

---

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are the major health problems in nurses. One of the main reasons is patient transfer. The work technique of nursing personnel during patient transfers has been evaluated using different methods. One of the most useful ones is Direct Nurse Observation Instrument (DINO). The purpose of the present study was to assess the musculoskeletal disorders risk related to patient transfer in nursing personnel using the DINO method.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 nurses working in affiliated hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran in 2015. Data were collected by Nordic questioners and DINO index check list. The validity and reliability of DINO checklist were reviewed and approved. For data analysis, independent t-test, chi-squared test and logistic regression were used.

Results: The average result of DINO checklist was 9.73 points (SD = 1.8), which can suggest that the way in which the technical transfer was carried out might not have been the safest. The results showed that the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in nursing staff was significantly associated with final scoring of the DINO index (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: According to the findings, DINO was an appropriate tool to assess musculoskeletal disorders risk due to patient handling in the nursing personnel. This method can be used in the evaluation of patient transfer educational programs and also to identify and assess an unsafe work techniques used by nurses.

---

Introduction: Nursing in hospitals, because of the nature of the work, is a job in which work-related musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent. The main cause of musculoskeletal disorder amongst nursing staff is the movement of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders caused by movement of patients in nursing staff of a hospital affiliated with the Allah University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 325 nurses from 30 wards of Baqiyatallah hospital during summer 2015. Data were collected using demographic and Body map Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaires and PTAI index checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 16.

Results: Some musculoskeletal symptoms had been experienced during the last 12 months by 78.3% of the nursing personnel. The results indicated that PTAI index score was significantly associated with musculoskeletal disorders occurrence (P < 0.05)

Conclusions: According to the findings, PTAI is an appropriate tool for musculoskeletal disorders risk identification and assessment due to patient handling in nursing personnel.

---

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are inevitable consequences of ergonomic principles neglect. The increasing use of computer by students may result in these disorders. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MSDs and evaluate the effectiveness of ergonomics training intervention among university students.

Methods: This interventional and cross-sectional study was performed on a group of medical and paramedical students. Samples were chosen by simple sampling method. In the first stage, data were gathered by means of a self-made measurement and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). Furthermore, an educational booklet regarding the principles of ergonomics in computer use (educational intervention) was offered to the subjects. In the second stage of the study, the effectiveness of intervention was evaluated using a written exam and a quasi-objective structured clinical examination (quasi-OSCE) test. Data were analyzed by SPSS 15, as well as descriptive and analytical statistical indexes.

Results: From 205 students participated in the first round of the study, the results showed that 62.44% of them (128 persons) reported at least one complain or limitation in their musculoskeletal systems during the past year. Less than 10% of the participants were aware about the considerations of ergonomics principals during computer use. After submission of the educational materials, their awareness about the ergonomics considerations in computer use significantly improved(P<0.001) and more than 95% of them had good or medium performance after the intervention.

Conclusions: The training program was effective on the awareness of ergonomics principles in computer use. However, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders requires complementary measures such as elimination of risk factors and administrative controls.

---

Introduction: Heavy load lifting or occupational and individual factors are effective hazard agents in the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was investigating the correlation of musculoskeletal disorders with work ability index and allowable load lifting limit.

Methods: This analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted using census (n = 60) among the kitchen workers in Qazvin teaching hospitals in 2016. Data were collected through questionnaires including pain prevalence, work ability index and allowable load lifting limit. Data was analyzed by single and multiple regression logistic using SPSS 16 software.

Results: The highest prevalence was observed in the lower back (78.3%). Of the workers, 61.7% reported a good level of work ability index and 58.3% of the workplaces were in unsafe conditions of load handling. Unsafe condition alone increased the prevalence of shoulder and neck pain about 7 times and the lower back pain 4 times, and in interaction with other risk factors, the prevalence of neck and shoulder pains had 25 and 28 times increase, respectively. Also, subjects with good levels of ability compared to subjects with excellent levels of ability were 9 times more in exposure of musculoskeletal disorders.

Conclusions: Risk factors such as body mass index, work ability and allowable load lifting limit can affect the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. So, selection of subjects with good and excellent work ability levels and compliance with the load limit are the effective solutions in increasing the productivity and reducing musculoskeletal disorders among kitchen workers.