Abstract

ROSARIO AMEZQUITA, Rosa María  and  AMEZQUITA ROSARIO, Teresa Isabel. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the sterilization staff in three public hospitals. Med. segur. trab. [online]. 2014, vol.60, n.234, pp.24-43. ISSN 1989-7790.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0465-546X2014000100004.

Introduction: Musculo-skeletal disorders, as reported by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, are the occupational health problem more common in Europe. They are injuries of muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. Objective: To identify the prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders in sterilization workers in three hospitals in Spain. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving employees of the sterelization unit in three hospitals of Rioja and Navarra by using the Nordic quest ionnaire I. Kuorinka, which socio-demographic data can be identified and a second that allows to record musculo-skeletal symptoms. To identify exposure to ergonomic risk factors and psychosocial questions were used to review proposals from the Survey of Health and Working Conditions of Spain. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: Between 38.3 to 57.3% of workers say they are exposed to ergonomic hazards throughout the working day. Psychosocial risks reach higher frequencies. The highest percentage of musculoskeletal discomfort in the 7 days prior to the questionnaire were presented in neck (71.7%), followed by back (59.1). Discussion: Regarding general population in our study workers exposed to high rates of work and highly repetitive tasks of short duration show higher frequencies. It also notes the importance of some of tasks of the psychosocial variables in explaining the emergence of ergonomic injury. Conclusions: It would be opportune to perform in this group of risk assessment of upper extremity repetitive movements with validate methods. Ergonomic and psychosocial exposures advise preventive actions identified.

Keywords : musculo-skeletal disorders; ergonomic risk; sterilization services.

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