ABSTRACT
Background: WMSDs are disorders/injuries sustained from job environment and work performance; they worsen or lasts longer as a result of the work environment.
Aim: The aim of this study w as to measure the prevalence and identify the preventive and coping strategies of WMSDs among physiotherapists in the south-south region of Nigeria.
Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used to select hospitals and physiotherapists in these hospitals were the respondents in this study. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of WMSDs on different regions of the body, risk factors of developing WMSDs, preventive measures and coping strategies of WMSDs among respondents; data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 26; descriptive and interferential statistics of Chi square was used to determine the association between the prevalence of WMSDs and the socio demographic characteristics of the respondents.
Results: This study showed 86.5% of WMSDs among respondents, working in the same position for a long period as a major risk factors contributing to WMSDs, ergonomic modification as a preventive measure of WMSDs and adjustment of plinths/bed as the major coping strategies adopted by respondents towards WMSDs.
Conclusions and Recommendations: this study showed a high prevalence of WMSDs among respondents, break time should be giving in between working hours for stretching and relaxation, ergonomic modifications like lifts for lifting patients and sliding sheet for patient’s repositioning; these can reduce the prevalence of WMSDs.
Keywords: prevalence, prevention, coping strategies, work related musculoskeletal disorders, physiotherapist
