Objectives: To describe the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among microscope workers, and to investigate the relationship between complaints in different body regions and individual as well work-related factors.
Methods: A detailed questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms was distributed to 176 microscope workers. The questionnaire contained questions on individual factors, workstation characteristics, work organization and psychosocial factors.
Results: The 1-month prevalence of symptoms at any body site was 76,1%. Symptoms were most commonly reported at the neck (53,4%), followed by the lower back (39,2%), upper back (23,9%), shoulders (21%), hand/wrist (21%) and arms (6,3%). Female gender was associated with complaints in all sites except low back. Hours of microscope use was associated with neck, arm and hand/wrist pain, whereas duration of work time without breaks was associated with neck, low back, and arm pain. Poor workstation ergonomics was associated with symptoms in the neck, shoulders, upper and lower back. Work pace was also identified as a risk factor for low back complaints.
Conclusion: This study supports the need for ergonomic intervention at workplace and ergonomic training of microscope workers.