Oral Health and Dental Management

The prevalence and risk factors of musculo-skeletal disorders among oral health practitioners in Cameroon

4^th International Conference on Orthodontics

October 09, 2023 | Prague, Czech Republic

Hilbert Kamo

Master of Public Health (MPH), South Africa

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: OHDM

Abstract:

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among oral health workers in Cameroon is not documented. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, risk factors and cost effectiveness of musculoskeletal disorders among oral health workers in Yaounde (Centre Region), Bertoua(East Region) and Garoua(North Region) , Cameroon. The materials and method used are a cross sectional descriptive study in which a self-administered questionnaire (the Standardized Nordic questionnaire) was used to assess the musculoskeletal symptoms among oral health Workers. The data was recorded, saved and analyzed using EpiInfo 7 and table and figures were obtained using Excel 2010. From the 220 Oral health workers who participated in the study, the prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorder was found to be 78.75%. The common body areas affected by Musculoskeletal disorders in order of magnitude were neck (65.23%), shoulders (53.56%), low back (44.44%), wrist (6.45%), lower leg (5.55%), and foot (7.94%).The most common risk factor is the position (80.23%) and follow by the worklaod( 56.24%). The cost of management varies between two thousands francs (Cfa) to thirty thousand francs (Cfa) per week. In summary, there is a high prevalence of Musculo-skeletal disorders among oral health workers. These Musculoskeletal disorders affect the daily practice of more than two thirds of dental practitioners, that is why further studies are needed to identify the others risk factors for Musculoskeletal disorders so as to introduce effective remedial measures. Keywords: Musculo-skeletal disorders, Dental ergonomics, Oral health workers.

Biography :

Hilbert Kamo has completed his H.P.D; Bsc in dental therapy from Saint Louis University of Health and Biuomedical Sciences-Bamenda then a MPH II In public health at the age of 30 years from Catholic University of Central Africa. He was formally a head of department of dental therapy at Saint louis University of Health for 4 years then head of department of biomedical sciences at the Higher University of Science and Technique of Yaounde for 01 year; he had also work for some international NGO’s actually he is 33 years and he is a part-time lecturer in some University while implementing some health and educational projects to support underprivileged communities where health and education is difficult to get access. He has published 02 scientific papers in reputed journals and he is serving as an editorial board member of repute Journals in Africa.