Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Morbidities and its Impact on Quality of Life in Class IV Category Workers of Government Tertiary Care Hospital, Mumbai

Background: Every occupation is associated with one or more ill effects on health. Cumulative trauma disorder is a disorder (injury) that occurs through the buildup of trauma over time. The trauma can be acute (happening in an isolated event) or repetitive. It is the weakening of the body part through repeated trauma that finally causes it to break down.

Aim: To find the prevalence of musculoskeletal morbidities and its impact on quality of life in Class IV category (ward boys and sweepers) working in tertiary care hospital.

Objectives: To find the association between musculoskeletal morbidities and age, occupation, length of service, nature of work, psychological well-being and job satisfaction.

Results: The study reveals 150 subjects with age from 23 - 57 years with the average 41.94 years. Out of total subjects 63% were ward boys and 37% were sweepers. The average length of service was 21.05 years. Low back was most common site of pain in ward boys. Pain in peripheral extremities like right hand, fingers, shoulder was common in sweepers. 82% of subject complains of musculoskeletal morbidity in age group of 36-46 years, while 71% in the age group of 25-35 years and 78% in the age group more than 46 years, thus aging has mild influence on the prevalence of the musculoskeletal morbidity. The musculoskeletal morbidities were reported 92%in heavy duty, 77% moderate duty and 20% light duty. The variation was found statistically significant. 81%-82% subjects were indecisive or dissatisfied about their jobs reported to have musculoskeletal morbidity. Among those who were satisfied with job 50% had the morbidity.

Conclusion: The presence of musculoskeletal morbidity in class IV category workers of tertiary care hospital was directly related to occupation, length of service, nature of work, psychological wellbeing and job satisfaction. Occupation wise the most common site was low back and knee in ward boys and shoulder and hand, fingers in sweepers.