Survey To Determine the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Housekeeping Population.

Abstract

Introduction: Housekeeping workers often perform physically tiring jobs that include tasks like   sweeping, mopping, lifting, bending, and other repetitive actions throughout the day. These continuous physical efforts put stress on various parts of the body such as the neck, back, shoulders, knees, and feet, increasing the chances of developing musculoskeletal problems. Over time, such strain can reduce strength and flexibility, affect overall work output, and lower quality of life. Knowing how common these problems are and how they affect housekeeping staff is important for planning ways to prevent pain, improve posture, and maintain their long-term health.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal problems among housekeeping employees. Standard tools were used to assess different body regions and understand how pain and stiffness interfere with their daily work and physical activities.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among housekeeping staff working in different institutions. Six well-known assessment scales were used to collect information from participants. These included: the Neck Pain and Disability Index (n = 14), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Scale (n = 19), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) (n = 17), Foot Function Index (n = 18), WOMAC Scale (n = 15) for knee and lower-limb function, and the SF-36 Health Survey (n = 13) to measure general health and quality of life. The collected responses were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine average scores and identify the level of functional difficulty among the workers.

Results: The analysis showed that many participants experienced pain or restriction in movement affecting several parts of the body. The Oswestry Disability Index (mean = 35.36) and the Neck Pain Index (mean = 33.28) recorded the highest values, suggesting a moderate level of disability, particularly in the back and neck regions. The SF-36 mean score of 30.53 reflected a noticeable reduction in overall health and daily functioning. Lower-limb evaluations showed that both the WOMAC (mean = 6.37) and the Foot Function Index (mean = 6.38) indicated mild to moderate discomfort in the knees and feet. The SPADI score (mean = 8.51) pointed to shoulder-related strain, especially during lifting or overhead activities. Altogether, the results revealed that musculoskeletal pain among housekeeping staff often affects more than one body area, demonstrating the widespread physical impact of their work

Conclusions: This study confirms that musculoskeletal disorders are quite common among housekeeping workers, particularly in the neck, lower back, and shoulder regions. Continuous physical effort, awkward postures, and repetitive actions are likely contributors to these problems. To reduce pain and disability, it is important to introduce regular ergonomic awareness sessions, adjust workloads, and provide access to simple physiotherapy-based exercises. Encouraging stretching, posture correction, and strengthening routines can help improve physical comfort, prevent long-term injury, and promote better health and productivity among housekeeping staff.