Helping women but hurting ourselves? Neck and upper back musculoskeletal symptoms in a cohort of Australian Midwives

Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Midwives and Work-Related Contributory Risk Factors

“…The survey showed high prevalence rates of musculoskeletal problems most frequently in low back (71%), neck (45%) and shoulders (45%). These results are in line with previous studies for Australian midwives [12,4]. The rates are higher than the UK general population MSD prevalence rates, at 34% for neck [13] and 37% for low back [14].…”

“…The rates are higher than the UK general population MSD prevalence rates, at 34% for neck [13] and 37% for low back [14]. Most respondents attributed their discomfort to static or awkward positions during the delivery and assisting women with breast feeding, similar to the reported physical demands of midwifery for Australian midwives [4]. The impact can be clearly seen as half of the respondents' activities were affected by MSDs.…”

“…Midwives were first investigated for MSDs related to tasks unique to midwifery such as supporting mother with breast feeding and delivering babies in different positions by Hignett [1], followed by Royal College of Midwives [2] and Steele and Stubbs [3]. Midwifery tasks and working conditions were reported to be physically and psychologically demanding leading to the risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms [1,4]. Contributory factor for MSD risk in midwifery may be because the birth process (delivery) is mother-centred; the pregnant woman is encouraged to choose the most comfortable position for her.…”

Occupational Risks in Midwifery: From Bernardino Ramazzini to Modern Times

“…awkward postures—midwives, as well as nurses, are at higher risk for MSDs. In their pioneering study, Long et al [7] determined the prevalence of neck musculoskeletal symptoms and upper back musculoskeletal symptoms in 1,388 Australian midwives. Their results indicated annual prevalence rate of nearly 50% for neck musculoskeletal symptoms and nearly 30% for upper back musculoskeletal symptoms.…”

Avaliação da força de preensão digital em trabalhadores de enfermagem

“…Este grupo de trabalhadores corrobora com os achados da literatura no sentido que as lesões musculoesqueléticas constituem-se em um problema ocupacional importante para a área de saúde (JELLAD et al, 2013); em relação aos trabalhadores de enfermagem tanto do Brasil como dos demais países são frequentemente afetados por problemas osteomusculares/musculoesqueléticos (ALEXANDRE, 1998;VARELA;FERREIRA;SMITH et al, 2004;MUROFUSE;MARZIALE, 2005;SMITH et al, 2006;MAGNAGO et al, 2007;COELHO, 2009;FAGHRI et al, 2010;RIBEIRO;LONG;JOHNSTON;BOGOSSIAN, 2012BOGOSSIAN, , 2013HEIDEN et al;JELLAD et al, 2013 ), que podem comprometer as suas atividades ocupacionais.…”