PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AMONG HOUSE KEEPING STAFF OF HOSPITAL IN PESHAWAR

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) encompass a broad spectrum of health issues affecting the body's musculoskeletal system, including muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and spinal discs. These conditions are exacerbated by certain work-related actions such as bending, climbing stairs, and repetitive motions, and are not typically the result of sudden accidents like slips or falls. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and impact of MSDs among housekeeping staff in hospitals, focusing on identifying significant gender differences in the experience of musculoskeletal pain. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 245 hospital housekeeping staff members were interviewed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ) from September 2023 to May 2024. Participants, comprising 175 males and 70 females with an average age of 36.5 years, were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results: The analysis revealed that the most commonly affected areas were the shoulder (38.4%, p=0.006), knee (41.50%, p=0.886), lower leg (33.0%, p=0.798), lower back (38.3%, p=0.418), and foot (16.6%, p=0.919). These findings highlight the impact of non-ergonomic working conditions and intensive work schedules in hospital environments. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce risk factors and improve the quality of life and work efficiency among housekeeping staff. Significant gender disparities were noted, with females showing greater susceptibility to MSDs in specific body regions such as the neck, shoulder, lower back, foot, and lower leg.