International Journal of Medicine and Health Development (Jan 2024)

Evaluation of ergonomics awareness and its lack of application on medical laboratory practitioners in tertiary hospitals in Jos, Plateau, Nigeria

  • Bamidele O Olumide,
  • Nimnan F Tyem,
  • Bala D Ntuhun,
  • Mercy E Ekpenyong,
  • Seth T Ariyo,
  • Temitope T Selowo,
  • Nanpyal B Longs,
  • Steve K Oyero,
  • Emmanuel B Longkem,
  • Yakubu B Fiyaktu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmh.ijmh_57_23
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 29, no. 2
pp. 103 – 113

Abstract

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Background: The study of how people interact with their work environment is known as ergonomics. Medical laboratory practitioners are exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders, resulting in a reduction in the quality of health care services rendered. The practicability of ergonomic principles can reduce the risk of these work-related disorders. Despite growing knowledge of ergonomics, its awareness in the health sector in Nigeria is poorly reported. Objectives: This study aimed to assess ergonomic awareness levels and the effects of its lack of implementation among medical laboratory practitioners in tertiary hospitals in Plateau State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 154 medical laboratory practitioners, comprising laboratory physicians, scientists, technicians, laboratory assistants, and administrative staff from four hospitals in Jos, Nigeria were recruited into the study via a simple random sampling technique. Data were obtained using a self-constructed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The awareness rate among the participants was 66.9%. Ergonomics awareness was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.006), professional cadre (P = 0.02), and duration of service (P = 0.001). A significant relationship was found between the implementation of good body posture and awareness (P = 0.005). The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain was found to be 83.1%. Conclusion: A positive correlation was found between ergonomic awareness and the implementation of good body posture. The high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain underscores the urgent need for interventions to enhance ergonomic knowledge and practices in the health care sector.

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