Musculoskeletal dysfunction & presenteeism amongst university educators

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of MSDs, and the extent of presenteeism related to MSDs in university educators. Specifically, the objectives of this study are to: 1. Investigate the prevalence of MSDs in university educators. 2. Determine the magnitude of presenteeism due to MSDs in university educators. Methods: The study will be across-sectional study conducted among university educators from a public university in Singapore. Participants in the survey have to be officially listed as academic faculty with minimum three years of service. No restrictions are placed on age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. Data will be collected using a self-administered questionnaire, to gather information on MSD, demographic, work-related, physical and psychosocial factors. Results: There does not appear to be a link between presenteeism and the investigated variables. It seems that presenteeism is not affected by MSD. However, there appears to be a strong relationship between the level of work activity and MSD in both functional and bothersome index. Conclusion: The level of work activity is affected by how much MSD has affected the functionality of the participants and also by the symptoms of MSDs during work. Therefore, MSD affects work activity more than presenteeism.