High prevalences of musculoskeletal disorders have been described among nursing students. Although recent studies show musculoskeletal disorders to be a common problem among X-ray technologists, no data have been so far reported concerning such disorders among students of this health profession. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among a sample of X-ray technologist students. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 166 X-ray technologist students attending the schools of two large universities in Apulia region (Southern Italy). A questionnaire was used to collect data concerning personal characteristics, physical exposure during training activities, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs. The prevalence of complaints at any body site in the previous 12 months was 38%. Low back pain was the most commonly reported symptom (28%), followed by neck (16%), shoulder (10%), leg (8%) and hand/wrist pain (6%). Poor physical activity was associated with the complaints. Our study showed prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technologist students to be somewhat high, representing about half of those found in Italian technologists. The most common musculoskeletal problem was low back pain, as indeed found in researches conducted among nursing students. Our research also showed an important role of regular physical activity in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in young university students.
PREVALENZA DI DISTURBI MUSCOLO-SCHELETRICI IN STUDENTI TECNICI DI RADIOLOGIA
VIMERCATI, LUIGI;
2010-01-01
Abstract
High prevalences of musculoskeletal disorders have been described among nursing students. Although recent studies show musculoskeletal disorders to be a common problem among X-ray technologists, no data have been so far reported concerning such disorders among students of this health profession. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among a sample of X-ray technologist students. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 166 X-ray technologist students attending the schools of two large universities in Apulia region (Southern Italy). A questionnaire was used to collect data concerning personal characteristics, physical exposure during training activities, and the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulders, low back, hand/wrist and legs. The prevalence of complaints at any body site in the previous 12 months was 38%. Low back pain was the most commonly reported symptom (28%), followed by neck (16%), shoulder (10%), leg (8%) and hand/wrist pain (6%). Poor physical activity was associated with the complaints. Our study showed prevalence rates of musculoskeletal complaints among X-ray technologist students to be somewhat high, representing about half of those found in Italian technologists. The most common musculoskeletal problem was low back pain, as indeed found in researches conducted among nursing students. Our research also showed an important role of regular physical activity in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in young university students.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
