Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction among University of the Philippines Manila personnel / Catherine M. Capio, Deanna Kathrina Z. Maranion, Hazel E. Pascua.

Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction are major problems in industrialized societies and prevention has the potential of a signficant reduction in pain, suffering, and economic costs. The design of preventive programs must be tailored to the target population; thus it has to be based on descriptive information of musculoskeletal disorders for specific populations. Such information would include the prevalent symptoms as well as the work factors related to these symptomps. This study aims to provide preliminary information on the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions among the constituents of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM). Considering the occupational factors related to such conditions, information on their work tasks was also obtained. Using a screening tool, physicians and physical therapists performed physial evaluation among 60 participants from the UPM constituency. The results showed that the most common body regions affected among the participants are the back (67%) and the shoulder (33%). The most prevalen musculoskeletal condition is low back pain (30.7%), followed by myofascial pain syndrome (25%). There is also a significant correlation observed between the occupation of the participants and their musculoskeletal condition (p<0.05). The tasks of sitting/typing/writing are positively correlated to reports of shoulder pain (p<0.05). The results of this study show that among the respondents, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is necessary to address shoulder and back pain. Among UPM personnel, there is a need to design preventive programs for similar conditions among people involved in sedentary work.

Nursing.