Knowledge and Awareness of Ergonomic Posture and Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Among Office Workers in Klang Valley

Abstract

Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are health conditions that worsen with working conditions or occur due to work which poses financial and health burdens to the workers and employers. Office workers are inherent to prolonged static posture, awkward postures such as slouching the back, and repetitive motion of hands, wrists, and fingers which eventually leads to MSDs. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge and awareness of ergonomics posture and the prevalence of occupational MSDs among office workers in Klang Valley. Random samples of 335 participants aged between 21 and 50 years office workers in Klang Valley participated in this cross-sectional study which was done fully online via Google Forms. The participants' level of knowledge and awareness of ergonomics posture were analyzed using adopted Knowledge and Awareness of Ergonomics posture questionnaires (NMQ). NMQ questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of occupational MSDs across body regions in the past 12 months among participants. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 26.0 and statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, mean, SD) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Chi-square test). The analysis showed office workers in Klang Valley have an average level of knowledge about ergonomics posture (M = 3.08; SD = 1.08) while the level of awareness about ergonomics posture was high (M = 4.24; SD = 0.79). At least 36.4% of office workers in Klang Valley reported having MSDs in at least one body region. The most reported body regions for MSDs are the shoulders wrist, neck, upper back, and lower back. There were significantly positive relationships (p < 0.005) between the prevalence of MSDs and the level of knowledge and awareness of ergonomics posture among office workers in Klang Valley. In conclusion, there was a significantly positive relationship between the level of knowledge and awareness about ergonomics posture and the prevalence of MSDs. Therefore, this study would provide a significant baseline for future researchers and policymakers to accommodate the worker's healthier work habits and practices.