Knowledge and awareness of ergonomic posture and occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among office workers in Klang Valley / Nor Najjah Farahin Ahmad Ghazi, Ajau Danis and Khairil Anuar Md Isa

This study examined the association between ergonomics knowledge and awareness and the prevalence of MSDs among office workers in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Three hundred thirty-five participants aged 21-50 completed an online survey. The participants' level of knowledge and awareness of ergonomics posture were analyzed using adopted Knowledge and Awareness of Ergonomics posture questionnaires (NMQ). NMQ questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of occupational MSDs across body regions in the past 12 months among participants. Results revealed that while office workers had a moderate level of knowledge about ergonomics, their awareness was high. Despite this, 36.4% reported experiencing MSDs in at least one body region, primarily in the shoulders, wrists, neck, upper back, and lower back. A significant positive correlation was found between the level of knowledge and awareness of ergonomics posture and the prevalence of MSDs. This suggests that increasing ergonomic education and awareness can help reduce the occurrence of these disorders among office workers. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for future research and policy development aimed at promoting healthier work habits and practices in office environments.