Epidemiological Profile and Functional Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre, Oke-Kura, Ilorin, Nigeria

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute a major global source of physical disability, functional limitation, and chronic pain within custodial environments, where structural overcrowding, defective ergonomic provisions, physical immobility, and restricted access to healthcare compound health vulnerabilities. Despite these documented risk factors, empirical epidemiological data concerning the burden of MSDs within custodial facilities in Nigeria remain scarce. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence, associated socio- demographic factors, and functional consequences of MSDs among inmates at the Oke-Kura Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria, 245 incarcerated adults (duration of stay ≥ 6 months) were enrolled. Data were harvested via the validated Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), complemented by objective physical examinations including goniometry, grip-strength dynamometry, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and anthropometric tape measurements. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact tests) were conducted using IBM SPSS (version 25.0), with significance established at p < 0.05. The cohort was predominantly male (222/245; 90.6%), with the 31–40 age category representing the largest demographic subset (126/245; 51 .4%). Lifetime MSD prevalence within the institution was 89.0% (218/245), demonstrating statistically significant associations with age group (χ² = 14.952, p = 0.005) and years spent in detention (χ² = 11 .896, p = 0.001). Furthermore, significant associations were established between gender and 12-month symptom prevalence (χ² = 30.114, p < 0.001), age category and 12-month symptoms (χ² = 9.461 , p = 0.028), and gender and 7-day point prevalence (χ² = 6.579, p = 0.039). Conversely, hand dominance, previous vocation, and daily hours of physical labour showed no statistically significant correlation with symptom presentation. Inmates reported severe restrictions in prison labour, physical hygiene, and personal self-care. Despite high symptom chronicity, access to formal physiotherapy and ergonomic rehabilitative support was virtually absent. Routine correctional physiotherapy services, posture education, and institutional health collaborations are urgently required.