The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorEngel, Mark
dc.contributor.advisorS-J Hohlfeld, Ameer
dc.contributor.authorDreyer, Kirsten Robyn
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-23T10:46:16Z
dc.date.available2026-06-23T10:46:16Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.date.updated2026-06-23T10:39:16Z
dc.description.abstractBackground: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a significant health concern worldwide, accounting for 1% of disability adjusted life years in developing countries. In occupational health, the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is heightened in roles with varied risks—such as office work—due to exposures like awkward or static postures, repetitive movements, and psychosocial strain, underscoring the need for targeted research. Currently, the extent of WMSD in developing countries among office workers is largely undocumented. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of WMSDs in office-based workers residing in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and, secondly to document putative risk factors associated with WMSD. Search Strategy: PubMed and Scopus were searched, from their respective earliest dates to 31 October 2024, for cross-sectional and cohort studies assessing WMSD in office workers in LMICs, excluding studies from high income counties underlying musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Two researchers independently screened and extracted data, applying RoB-SPEO, and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model to estimate pooled prevalence of WMSD by affected body regions and risk ratios for associated risk factors. Deviations from the protocol were recorded in the discussion. Results: The systematic review included 25 studies (3 cohort and 22 cross-sectional, n= 9842 from 14 LMICs). Pooled prevalence of WMSD were 70% (95% CI 51% to 85%; 5 studies; n = 1236, I2 = 97.8%). Pooled estimates of WMSD by body region were lower back (44%), (95% CI 36% to 53%, I2 = 96.5%), neck, 38% (95% CI 31% to 46%, I2 = 96.4 and back, 37% (95% CI 15% to 62%, I2 = 98.4). The remaining body regions (arm, elbow, hand, shoulder, wrist and hand and wrist) each amounted to prevalence estimates of below 30%. Subgroup analysis of putative risk factors (BMI, age and length of day) and WMSD found no statistical association. Conclusions: High WMSD prevalence among office workers in LMICs, notably in the lower back region, was found. Limited data and categorization variability, hindered risk identification, highlighting the need for additional research. Recommendations include office layout assessment and more frequent breaks from static positions.
dc.identifier.apacitationDreyer, K. R. (2026). <i>The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDreyer, Kirsten Robyn. <i>"The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2026. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDreyer, K.R. 2026. The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Dreyer, Kirsten Robyn AB - Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are a significant health concern worldwide, accounting for 1% of disability adjusted life years in developing countries. In occupational health, the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is heightened in roles with varied risks—such as office work—due to exposures like awkward or static postures, repetitive movements, and psychosocial strain, underscoring the need for targeted research. Currently, the extent of WMSD in developing countries among office workers is largely undocumented. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of WMSDs in office-based workers residing in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and, secondly to document putative risk factors associated with WMSD. Search Strategy: PubMed and Scopus were searched, from their respective earliest dates to 31 October 2024, for cross-sectional and cohort studies assessing WMSD in office workers in LMICs, excluding studies from high income counties underlying musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Two researchers independently screened and extracted data, applying RoB-SPEO, and conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model to estimate pooled prevalence of WMSD by affected body regions and risk ratios for associated risk factors. Deviations from the protocol were recorded in the discussion. Results: The systematic review included 25 studies (3 cohort and 22 cross-sectional, n= 9842 from 14 LMICs). Pooled prevalence of WMSD were 70% (95% CI 51% to 85%; 5 studies; n = 1236, I2 = 97.8%). Pooled estimates of WMSD by body region were lower back (44%), (95% CI 36% to 53%, I2 = 96.5%), neck, 38% (95% CI 31% to 46%, I2 = 96.4 and back, 37% (95% CI 15% to 62%, I2 = 98.4). The remaining body regions (arm, elbow, hand, shoulder, wrist and hand and wrist) each amounted to prevalence estimates of below 30%. Subgroup analysis of putative risk factors (BMI, age and length of day) and WMSD found no statistical association. Conclusions: High WMSD prevalence among office workers in LMICs, notably in the lower back region, was found. Limited data and categorization variability, hindered risk identification, highlighting the need for additional research. Recommendations include office layout assessment and more frequent breaks from static positions. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Musculoskeletal Pain KW - Third World KW - Workplace KW - Occupation KW - Prevalence LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2026 T1 - The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis TI - The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDreyer KR. The epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43360en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectMusculoskeletal Pain
dc.subjectThird World
dc.subjectWorkplace
dc.subjectOccupation
dc.subjectPrevalence
dc.titleThe epidemiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in office-based workers residing in low middle-Income countries (LMICs): a systematic review and meta-analysis
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMPH
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2026_dreyer kirsten.pdf
Size:
1.7 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters