Musculoskeletal disorders among office workers: prevalence, ergonomic risk factors, and their interrelationships

Abstract

Abstract This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), ergonomic risks, and psychosocial factors among 99 office workers at an industrial company. Participants, aged 20–50 years with minimum one year of experience, were selected using census sampling. Exclusion criteria comprised history of musculoskeletal disorders, fractures, hand surgery, major systemic diseases, pregnancy, menstruation, or recent hospitalization. Data collection utilized the extended nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and rapid office strain assessment (ROSA). Results demonstrated 80.81% WMSDs prevalence, most commonly affecting neck (58.6%), lower back (52.5%), and shoulders (37.4%). The mean ROSA score of 5.40 ± 1.27 indicated suboptimal workstation ergonomics. Significant associations were identified between chair height and knee/shoulder/upper back pain ( p  < 0.01), and between job stress and WMSDs across all body regions ( p  < 0.05). The findings emphasize the necessity of comprehensive interventions targeting ergonomic improvements, postural correction, and stress management to mitigate WMSDs risks in office environments.