A Comparative Study on the Rate of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Female Staff in Radiology Departments of Two Hospitals, Sari, Iran

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are among the major causes of occupational injuries and disability in industrialized and developing countries. The aim of this study was to compare MSDs in female staff working in radiology department of Imam Khomeini and Bouali Sina hospitals in Sari, Iran, 2018.

The research population, in this cross-sectional study, included 45 female staff working in radiology departments who were selected via census sampling. Then, 20 subjects who met the study inclusion criteria were studied. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered to collect the data. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS V16.

The mean age of participants was 37.7 years. Findings showed that during the past 12 months, musculoskeletal disorders were more prevalent in shoulder area (65%), wrists and hands (64.7%), and elbows (55%). There was no significant correlation between acute skeletal disorders and age, height, weight, and BMI.

The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders has an increasing rate in radiography staff. Lack of appropriate trainings result in more occupational disabilities, therefore, improving working conditions and use of electronic systems rather than mechanical systems for radiation chamber door are suggested.