REPUBLIC OF CAMEROONREPUBLIQUE DU

CAMEROUNSaint Louis University Institute of Health and Biomedical Sciences

Bamenda.

Institut Universitaire des Sciences Biomedicales et de la Sante, Saint

Louis Bamenda.

RESEARCH PROJECTCT

THE PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF MUSCULO-SKELETAL DISORDERS AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN DOUALA,

LITTORAL REGION AND BAFOUSSAM,WEST REGION, CAMEROON. 

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF H.P.D IN DENTAL THERAPY

Presented by:-MBAKOP FANGA CHRISTELLE DEN/13/2739-MACHE NZEKOU VANESSA DEN/ 13/3129

Supervised by:

Mr. HILBERT KAMO APRIL 2015

INTRODUCTION

RESEARCH QUESTION

OBJECTIF AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

RECOMMENDATIONS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OUTLINE

In dentistry, occupational health hazards are common and increasing.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) which is one of the occupational health hazards are significant and cause a serious damage.

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as being disorders affecting the muscles, tendons, peripheral nerves or vascular system not directly resulting from an acute or instantaneous event.

WHO lists MSDs as the most common problem that affects workers, especially dental health care personnel who are exposed daily to a work environment.

INTRODUCTION (2)

What is the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs

among dental practitioners ?

RESEARCH QUESTION

I. MAIN OBJECTIF

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs among dental practitioners in Douala, littoral region; and Bafoussam, West region.

II. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Estimate the prevalence of MSDs among dental practitioners.

2. Determine the most common body regions of MSDs.

3. Evaluate the practitioners knowledge on dental ergonomics.

4. Determine the various risk factors.

5. Estimate the cost of management.

OBJECTIF AND SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive survey.

STUDY AREA: Douala and Bafoussam.

DURATION OF STUDY: One month.

STUDY POPULATION: Dental practitioners.

SAMPLE SIZE: 80

MATERIALS AND METHODS

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants who were full-time dental practitioners and who

have worked for at least 12 months. Participants who were present in that area at the moment of

the study.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants who worked for less than 12 months. Participants who completed their questionnaire but submitted

late. Participants who refused to participate in the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS (2)

STUDY MATERIALS AND PROCEDURE:

Standard Nordic questionnaire.

Face to face interview

DATA ANALYSIS: Epi info version 7 and Microsoft Excel 2010.

DATA MANAGEMENT: Tables and Charts

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION: Ethical clearance, consent form

and confidentiality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS (3)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Demographic data

SEX Frequency Percent

F-Female 54 67.50%

M-Male 26 32.50%

Total 80 100.00%

OCCUPATION

Frequency Percent

Dental assistants 19 23.75%

Dental Therapists 18 22.50%

DENTISTS 34 42.50%

PROSTHODONTISTS 9 11.25%

Total 80 100.00%

YEARSOFWORK

Frequency Percent

12 months 14 17.50%

more than12 months 66 82.50%

Total 80 100.00%

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (2)

2. Prevalence of MSDs among dental practitioners

DENTAL ASSISTANT

DENTAL THERAPIST

DENTIST

PROSTHODONTIST

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

1

4

12

0

10

4

11

4

8

10

11

5

yes

sometimes

no

Frequency

Prof

essio

ns

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (3)

3. Prevalence of MSDs according to years of experience

no sometimes yes0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

7

43

10

25

31

12 monthsmore than12 months

MSDs pain experience

Resp

onde

nts

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (4)

4. Most affected body part

FOOT LOWER BACK

LOWER LEG

NECK SHOULDER WRIST0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

50.00%

7.94%

44.44%

1.59%

39.68%

4.76%1.59%

Percent

Body part affected

per

cen

tage

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (5)

5. Knowledge about ergonomic

Figure A: Knowledge about dental ergonomics.

Figure B: Application of dental ergonomic.

50.64%

49.38% no

yes

33.75%

66.25%

YesNo

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (6)

6. Risks factors

1.56% 1.56%

64.06%9.37%

21.88%difficult procedurephysical effortposturequality of equipmentwork load

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (7)

7. Cost management

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 120.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

20.69%

3.45%

13.79%

17.24%

3.45% 3.45%

6.90%

13.79%

3.45% 3.45%

6.90%

3.45%

Series1

Cost of management

per

cen

tage

The results show that the prevalence of MSDs symptoms among

dental practitioners in Bafoussam and Douala is high (78.75%).

The most aggravating factor was the position with a large score of

73.12%.

Pain,discomfort and fatigue were the commonly symptoms

reported. The most common body areas affected were the neck

(39.68%), the low back (44.44%), the shoulders (4.76%), the wrist

(1.59%), the lower leg (1.59%), and the feet (7.94%).

CONCLUSION

Female dentists had a significantly higher frequency of pain, discomfort and

fatigue than the male counterparts.

Ergonomics knowledge are well assimilated by the majority of dental workers but

just a few minority apply it during their working time and that is why the

prevalence of MSDs is too high among dentals professionals .

This increase lead to pain,stress,fatigue and has a serious impact on the finances of

those suffering from these symptoms. They spend a lot of money in the

management of their symptoms.

To conclude work-related Musculo-skeletal disorders represent a high significant

burden for dental profession.

CONCLUSION (2)

Ministry of the Public Health to bend over this situation which is not negligible as the result showed and put in place serious measures to palliate to it such as: policies, safety control and seminars based on preventive measures like Dental Ergonomics for all dental workers .

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Ministry of the High Education is also called to implement programs concerning the preventives measures as Dental Ergonomics in the dental academicals programs. These programs will be applied and coordinated in Saint Louis University Institute for the Dental Therapists students and also in other dental schools in Cameroon in the aim to familiarize them with those precautions.

RECOMMENDATIONS (2)

Our gratitude goes to: To Dr. Nick Ngwanyam for providing us a wonderful area of studies.

We would like to pay my highest gratitude to our research supervisor Mr. HILBERT KAMO for is devotedness towards helping us in succeeding in our diploma studies.

We would like to Thanks our Head of Department Dr.Njimogu Samuel who has sacrified a lot in our training.

We would like to acknowledge our dearest families for their care, love guidance and support.

Lastly to our friends who assisted us during that period.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION