Evaluation des troubles musculo-squelettiques chez les praticiens buccodentaires à Yaoundé

Abstract

Introduction: Practising oral medicine (OM), whether as a student or as a doctor, involves working in a complex environment, often requiring practitioners to adopt non-ergonomic working positions, exposing them to occupational diseases such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs are disorders of the musculoskeletal system. They cover a wide range of conditions, from mild, temporary disorders to irreversible injuries. Estimated at 78.75% in Cameroon in 2016, this pathology remains a real problem for oral practitioners. Objective: To assess musculoskeletal disorders among oral health professionals in Yaoundé. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of musculoskeletal disorders in the city of Yaoundé. The study population consisted of oral health practitioners who had practised at least once during the 12 months prior to completing the questionnaire. Data were collected over a three-month period using a questionnaire based on those used in occupational medicine. The data were analysed using SPSS software version 26.0. The chi² test was used and any P value <0.05 was declared statistically significant. Results: A total of 317 practitioners were enrolled. The most common age group was between 20 and 34 years, with a sex ratio of 1.41. The practitioners had been in practice for less than 10 years (95.9%). The practitioners had been in practice for less than 10 years (95.9%) and the majority had worked between 5 and 10 hours a day (60.3%). All the participants had experienced at least one of the symptoms sought, mainly pain (59.6%) and muscle soreness (50.8%). More than 50% and 30% of MSDs had occurred in the last 12 months and 07 days respectively. The neck (85.1%), lower back (82.6%) and shoulder/arm (44.4%) areas were most affected. The main risk factors were adaptation postures (74.1%), endodontic treatment (57.7%), poor lighting (42.3%) and non-adjustable chairs (43.3%). Being younger than other practitioners was a major source of stress. Respect for ergonomics (51.1%) and work organisation (44.2%) were the main individual and professional management measures respectively. Physiotherapy (9%) was the most frequently cited management method, and over 80% of practitioners stated that they had not benefited from any other measures for the prevention and treatment of their MSDs. Conclusion: The prevalence of MSDs remains very high in the oral health profession in Yaoundé. Few doctors and students are really informed about the consequences of these pathologies. It would therefore be advisable to implement strategies adapted to our context, starting with raising awareness of the presence of this pathology and the importance of adopting appropriate preventive measures.