Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: To determine, by means of a survey, the prevalence of work-related injuries among chiropractors in South Africa. Furthermore, it looks to identify the types of injuries and the regions of the body most commonly affected by said injuries.
Method: Emails were distributed to the database of the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa in order to ensure that the survey was made available to all registered chiropractors in South Africa. Those chiropractors who wished to take part in answering the survey could click on the link provided in the email. The link redirected participants to an independent website where they could answer the survey anonymously. The survey consisted of a series of questions that each participant could answer by clicking on the answers most applicable to them. The link was live from the 15th of September to the 19th of October 2016. A total of 193 valid responses were received.
Results: From the data sample that was analysed it was found that work-related injuries were of significant prevalence among chiropractors in South Africa. Results were divided into 3 categories. Acute injuries were reported by 50.5% of the sample group, repetitive strain injuries were reported by 75.0% of the sample group and 51.4% of the sample group reported that their work as a chiropractor had aggravated a previous injury that they had sustained. Across all 3 categories, the body regions most commonly affected were the wrist and hand, lower back and shoulder. The types of injuries most commonly sustained were those affecting the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Conclusion: The analysis of the survey showed that work-related injuries appear to be of significant prevalence among chiropractors in South Africa. The body regions most commonly affected and the types of injuries most commonly sustained are the same across the 3 categories of acute injuries, repetitive strain injuries and previous injuries as a result of any other cause.