Musculoskeletal pain and its associated risk factors among medical students of a public sector University in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency and anatomical distribution of musculoskeletal pain and its related risk factors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dow Medical College, Karachi, from September to November 2016, and comprised medical students. A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by the participants. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.

RESULTS

Of the 360 participants, 268(74.4%)and 140(38.9%)students reported having musculoskeletal pain in at least one of the body sites in the past 12 months and in the past seven days, respectively. Self-reported mental stress (p=0.01) and history of trauma in the neck, shoulder or lower back (p=0.002) were the most significant predictors of musculoskeletal pain during the past seven days. Age, body mass index, gender, academic year, family history of musculoskeletal disorders, hours of clinical practice per day, hours of study per day, smoking and exercise had no significant relation with musculoskeletal pain in neck, shoulder or lower back (p>0.05 each). The use of computer/laptop for more than three hours per day had an increased occurrence of neck pain (p=0.03)..

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant risk of musculoskeletal pain for medical students.