Abstract
Problem statement: There is a lack of research done on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among Health Sciences students. A need therefore exists to determine whether such students entering these professions are susceptible to these musculoskeletal disorders. Aim: To determine the prevalence, the body regions affected and the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among undergraduate students in Biomedical Technology, Environmental Health, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg. Method: This was a cross-sectional, quantitative and exploratory study. It involved a questionnaire given to the relevant participants. The responses to the questionnaires were then captured electronically and the data was analysed using the Pearson Chi-Square test, Cramer's value, the Kruskal-Wallis H test and the Mann-Whitney U Test. Results and Discussion: In the last 12 months musculoskeletal disorders were experienced by 77.8% of the participants in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 75.3% in Biomedical Technology and 74% in Environmental Health. These disorders were mostly reported in the low back (59.9%) and neck (53.6%), followed by the shoulder, upper back, knee, wrist & hand, ankle & foot, hip & thigh then elbow. The participants in Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences and in Environmental Health experienced musculoskeletal disorders mostly in the low back, followed by the neck. By contrast, the participants in Biomedical Technology experienced these disorders mostly in the neck, followed by the low back. Conclusion: There was a 76.6% prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders over a 12 month period among undergraduate Health Sciences students at the University of Johannesburg in Biomedical Technology, Environmental Health, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences. The risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders in this study were identified as demographics, sitting experience, practical class activity and lifestyle.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)