Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Risk Factors in Iranian Military Personnel: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Mehdi  Raei; Mehran Maleki  Roveshti; Amin Babaei  Pouya; Ali  Salehi Sahlabadi; Mohsen  Poursadeghiyan; Firouz  Valipour

doi:10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16944

Mehdi Raei Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehran Maleki Roveshti Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
Amin Babaei Pouya Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Ali Salehi Sahlabadi Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Poursadeghiyan Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Firouz Valipour Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v53i11.16944

Keywords: Ergonomic risk factors; Musculoskeletal disorder; Military; Occupational disease; Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are prevalent and costly diseases in military occupations. WRMSDs are prevalent and costly diseases in military occupations. We investigated the exposure to ergonomic risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among military personnel in the workplace.

Method: We aimed to investigate MSDs by conducting electronic searches on Persian databases such as SID, MagIran, and IranMedex, and English databases like PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus. The search was not restricted by time and was conducted until Dec 20, 2021. Two researchers independently extracted the data, and the quality of the research was evaluated using the STROBE checklist. The results of different studies were merged and incorporated into the analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) v3 software.

Results: Eleven qualitative studies found that 92% of the respondents were men (83% to 96%). The mean age was 34.17 ± 0.16 yr, with a confidence interval (of 95% CI:33.85-34.48). The mean BMI was 25±0.39 with a confidence interval of 95% CI:24.28-25.84. The mean work record was 12.89±0.81 yr with a confidence interval of 95% CI:11.30-11.48. The highest outbreak of MSDs is in the knee at 38.1% (95%CI:32.1-44.4), 37.6% of the neck (95% CI:24.8-52.5), and 32.5% of the shoulder. (95%CI:22.5-44.3) was observed.

Conclusion: The wide role of various dimensions of work tasks and repetitive tasks (such as lifting, moving or changing positions, standing for long periods, as well as improper postures) in causing WRMSDs. Additionally, the risk factor in the workplace has financial implications for the military organization. The reduction of physical and psychological demands, as well as the improvement of ergonomic standards in the workplace, should be addressed to decrease MSDs in military centers.