Abstract

BARBOSA, Rose Elizabeth Cabral; ASSUNCAO, Ada Ávila  and  ARAUJO, Tânia Maria de. Musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2012, vol.28, n.8, pp. 1569-1580. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2012000800015.

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors in a sample of 1,808 workers (from a total of 13,602) in the municipal health system in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Prevalence was calculated according to self-reported pain in the upper or lower limbs and/or back, and size of associations was estimated by univariate (p < 0.20) and multivariate Poisson regression (p < 0.05). Musculoskeletal disorders showed a prevalence of 49.9% and were statistically associated with female gender, living with a partner, physical activity less than twice a week, self-reported common mental disorder, certain job positions (dentists, dental technicians, and community health workers), high physical demand, and inadequate working conditions. The results confirm the complexity of musculoskeletal disorders and suggest areas for development of health promotion programs in health services.

Keywords : Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Health Occupations; Occupational Health; Working Conditions.