Prevalence and Patterns of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Clergymen in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Afolabi TO, Vincent AB, Ugwu CA, Ugwu EL and Faithful ON
Published on: 2024-12-28
Abstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or pain caused by sudden exertion, repetitive motions, force, vibration, or awkward postures. Work-related MSDs (WRMSDs) arise from job-related activities and are increasingly common among various professions, including clergymen. Despite the demanding nature of religious work, there is limited research on MSDs among clergymen in Nigeria.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of WRMSDs among clergymen.
Methods: this was a cross-sectional survey involving 149 respondents. Data were collected using the Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage. Inferential statistics of Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used to determine the correlation between WRMSDs and sociodemographic variables.
Results: The prevalence of WRMSDs among the respondents was 27.3%. Low back (32.9%) was the most affected body site, followed by the neck (24.8%) and knee (24.2%). A significant correlation was observed between the prevalence of WRMSDs and marital status (χ2=151.420, p<0.05). However, no significant correlation was observed between the prevalence of WRMSDs and educational level (χ2=1.174, p>0.05), work experience (r=-0.225, p>0.05), age (r=-2.16, p>0.05) and hours spent in job per week (r=0.502, p<0.05).
Discussion: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of WRMSDs among clergymen in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The results of the study revealed the prevalence of WRMSDs in 27.3% of the clergymen. Low back pain (32.9%) was the most prevalent WRMSD in the clergymen, followed by neck (24.8%) and knee pain (24.2%). Similarly, Prajapati and Thakkar [18] reported low back pain as the most prevalent MSD in Hindu priests, and they reported that low back pain had the highest 12-month prevalence rate. Clergymen sit for a prolonged period when counseling people. Ogunsanya [19] reported that prolonged sitting is a risk factor of low back pain. Prolonged sitting may have contributed to the high prevalence of low back pain reported by the clergymen in this study. The highest prevalence of 7 days is lower back pain (24.2%). The highest prevalence during the last 12 months is upper back pain (23.5%). Similarly, this correlated with the study done by Ojoawo and Wasiu Mustapha [22] on the pattern of musculoskeletal pain among Christians and Islamic faithful in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. This may be owing to prolonged standing while preaching. Other MSDs reported by Clergymen apart from the lower back, neck, and upper back pain were shoulder (22.8%) and ankle (22.8%) pain. Akinpelu [20] reported 30.8% and 27% for the prevalence of shoulder and ankle pain, respectively, among drivers in Ibadan, Nigeria, while Tamrin [21] reported 35.4% and 29.3% for shoulder and knee pain, respectively.
This study revealed a significant association between marital status and the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. A higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was observed among married clergymen compared with single clergymen. The higher number of married clergymen (146) compared with single clergymen (3) in this study resulted in a high ratio (146:3) between the former and latter groups of clergymen. This high ratio may have had a skewing effect on the result. Therefore, it should be interpreted with caution. No significant correlation was observed between pain intensity and years of work experience (r=-.225**, p>0.05). No significant correlation was observed between pain intensity and age (r=-2.16**, p>0.05); however, a significant correlation was observed between pain intensity and hours spent in a job per week (r=.502**, p<0.05). This study had some limitations. First, relying on self-reported data may introduce recall bias and affect the accuracy of the reported prevalence and intensity of MSDs among the clergymen. Second, the relatively small sample size and use of convenience sampling may limit the generalizability of the findings to the broader population of clergymen. Third, the absence of longitudinal data prevents the assessment of changes in MSD prevalence and severity over time. Finally, the study was conducted in a specific region, which may limit the applicability of the findings to clergymen in different cultural or geographical contexts.
Conclusion: A high prevalence (27.3%) of WRMSDs was observed among clergymen, with the most affected body parts being the lower back, neck, and knee. Educational programs on preventing WRMSDs are recommended, especially among married clergymen.