Biomedical Research

Healthcare workers spend longer hours working without giving much attention to their health, eating habits and consequently, abnormal body weight, blood pressure and heart rate may worsen Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs). The study assessed the relation between body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate and WRMSDs among healthcare workers in some Reference Hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. A Cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted to assess the relation between Body Mass Index (BMI), Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rate (HR) and WRMSDs in some Reference Hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. Were included; physicians, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists and other healthcare workers who had worked for at least 12 months. BMI was calculated using the formula: Mass (kg)/height (m²) while BP and HR were measured with the help of an automated blood pressure machine (BP-103 H; arm-type fully automated). WRMSDs was assessed with the Nordic questionnaire, and the relation between BMI, BP, HR and WRMSDs was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics was used to present proportions while the relation between BMI, BR, HR and WRMSDs was evaluated using the Pearson's chi-square test, and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. 561 healthcare workers who consented were enrolled into the study using a non-probability sampling technique. Generally, 83.4% of healthcare workers had one or more WRMSDs, with 34.7% and 32.4% being overweight and obese, while 52.8% and 94.1% had normal BP and HR respectively. About 63.8% of nurses were obese with 57.2% having above normal HR compared to the other healthcare workers. BMI was significantly related (P=0.016) to WRMSDs in which 90.2% of the obese healthcare workers had one or more WRMSDs. Obesity and overweight are major concerns among nurses. BMI was significantly associated with WRMSDs. Thus, there is need to address overweight/obesity burden among healthcare workers by promoting healthy weight as a way to prevent WRMSDs.

Author(s): Basil Kum Meh, Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda, Franklin Chu Buh, Jerson Mekoulou Ndongo, Emmanuel Haddison Sako, Thelma Akah Eni, Harry Mbacham Fon, Samuel Honoré Mandengue
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