WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS AMONG SONOGRAPHY PRACTITIONERS IN THE UAE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

INTRODUCTION: Sonographers face exposure to repetitive physical stressors which may lead to the development of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) which in turn affect performance and occupational health. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of MSS and assess their associations with ergonomic practices, demographic characteristics, and work-related factors among sonographers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 71 sonography practitioners working in governmental and private healthcare settings. Data were collected on demographic variables, ergonomic practices, work conditions, and MSS across different body regions. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between variables. P-values < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the total 71 sonography practitioners, wrist/forearm pain ranked as the most frequently reported MSS (86 %), followed by neck pain (75%), and shoulder pain (73 %). Sitting during ultrasound examinations (p=0.016) and maintaining a neutral spine (p=0.004) both significantly correlated with lower neck pain. Furthermore, ergonomic chairs were related to less wrist/forearm pain (p=0.015). Significant association of MSS were noted as: gender (female) for shoulder pain (p=0.047), employment setting for back pain (p=0.004), bachelor's qualification for wrist/forearm pain (p=0.004), and professional rank for neck pain (p=0.036) and wrist/forearm pain (p=0.001). Age and years of experience did not significantly relate to MSS (p-value>0.05) Conclusion: The wrist and forearm pain was the most encountered MSS among sonographers. Ergonomic practices, gender, employment, professional ranks, and workload impact the prevalence of MSS. These findings highlight the necessity of ergonomic adjustments and MSS-specific risk training.