Characterization of musculoskeletal symptoms in employees of companies affiliated with academic physical therapy programs in the workplace Caracterización de la sintomatología musculoesquelética en trabajadores de empresas vinculadas a programas académicos de fisioterapia en el contexto laboral

Abstract

Introduction: "Musculoskeletal disorders" (MSDs) encompass a wide range of conditions, both inflammatory and degenerative, that affect various tissues of the musculoskeletal system. The disorders can cause pain and restrict an individual's work capacity, so the presence of combined risks in the work environment can increase the prevalence of DMEs. Objective: To characterize the musculoskeletal symptoms and biomechanical dangers in workers of academic field practices (PAC) in the Health and Work area of ​​the Physiotherapy Program of the Universidad del Rosario. Methodology: This research was carried out in three companies from different economic sectors (manufacturing, food and cosmetics) where physiotherapy students from the Universidad del Rosario carried out the PAC in the area of ​​Health and Work, using the Nordic questionnaire, which facilitates the recognition of the felt morbidity of the musculoskeletal system through the worker's perception; the ErgoIBV software, specifically through the use of the ErgoCheck category, which allows the qualitative and direct identification of occupational risks associated with non-ergonomic conditions and psychosocial factors. Results: The three companies have a high percentage of workers with a probability of ergonomic risk; being for the food and restaurant company (100%), cosmetics with (88%) and packaging manufacturing in a lower percentage with (85%). In the forced posture/repetitive task category, it is possible to see how the food and restaurant company is exposed with (100%), the packaging manufacturing company with (95%) and the cosmetics company with (88%); which may be associated with the imposed work pace (online work), lack of autonomy, repetitive and monotonous work. Conclusions: The study carried out in the three companies where the academic field practices (PAC) are developed, individual risk factors such as age, gender, biomechanical and psychosocial dangers are evident, which may be associated with the neuromusculoskeletal symptoms manifested. by the collaborators, which is corroborated with the reports provided in the scientific evidence where it is argued from the different theories of DMEs that these are of multifactorial origin; For this reason, a comprehensive approach must be carried out that allows prioritizing the dangers and thus establishing intervention strategies that allow reducing and controlling the risks by developing prevention and promotion activities.