AB0965 EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE JOB STRESS ON THE ONSET OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF THE GENERAL HOSPITAL OF DOUALA, CAMEROON

Abstract

Background: Job stress (workload) and its repercussions on health have already been described. However, very few publications has been performed in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To assess the link between job stress and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among healthcare workers of the Douala General Hospital. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the job stress, evaluated according to the Karasek model, made it possible to measure job-strain (high psychological demand and low decision-making latitude), iso-strain (job-strain and lack of social support), and low-strain (relaxed or low-load work). Results: Among the 261 participants in the study, 67.43% were women. The average age was 39.80 ± 9.4 years. The average length of professional service was 8.91 ± 7.30 years [1 - 35 years]. Regarding the job stress, 65.14% of the healthcare workers followed at least 11 patients per day. 78.54% had more than 40 hours of weekly work and 46.36% carried heavy loads during work. Job-strain was found in 58.62% of the participants, iso-strain in 7.66% and low-strain in 5.36%. MSDs were described by 225 participants (86.21%). They were mainly low back pain (68.44%), neck pain (52%) and shoulders’ pain (37.78%). In multivariate analysis, only weekly work> 40 hours (OR = 2.59; 95% CI 1.11–6.02, p = 0.026) and job-strain (OR = 3.14; 95% CI 1.33–7.39, p = 0.009) remained associated with the presence of MSD. Conclusion: The healthcare workers in our study are exposed to a high psychological and physical job stress, causing MSDs. Ergonomic programs should be designed for these workers. Disclosure of Interests: None declared