Qandeel Murtaza, Sana Khalid, Maleeha Farzand, Mahrukh Gul, Marukh, Savaira Elahi.
Ergonomics: a key to Surgeon\'s well-being and work-related musculoskeletal disorder prevention.
Northwest J Med Sci Jan ;2(3):25-32.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common among surgeons that can affect their health and productivity. This study was conducted to find out the frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among surgeons of Hayatabad Medical Complex, to assess their knowledge for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and their attitude towards ergonomics and its practice. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study in 6 specialties of surgeons was conducted at HMC Peshawar from April to September 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire. Universal sampling was used for data collection and SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 210 respondents, 86.2% had work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with more cases among women and gynecologists. Lower back (54.7%) and neck (46.4%) were the most affected areas. Risks included long-standing, no breaks, bending neck/back, and fixed neck posture. 48.1% had average knowledge of ergonomic principles, 47.1% had negative, 32.9% neutral, and 20% positive attitude towards applying them. The practice was inadequate, with 57% sometimes applying them. CONCLUSION: Surgeons, especially women, have high a frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the lower back and neck due to poor posture and prolonged standing/bending. While knowledge of ergonomics is adequate, attitude and practice are not.

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