Musculoskeletal diseases in health professionals: relationship between musculoskeletal diseases and physical activity and sleep quality on health professionals

The present study was aimed at determining health professionals' physical activity and sleep quality levels, and the relationship between the prevalence of Physical Activity and Sleep Quality and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). This cross-sectional study was conducted with health professionals in Kırklareli, a city in the European part of Turkey, between April 2019 and May 2019 (N = 569). In the study, the minimum sample size (P = 50.0%, α = 0.050, d = 0.03) was determined as 405 and the study was conducted with 408 people. The study data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Personal Information Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Of the participants, 55.4% were 35 years of age or older, 68.9% were women, 75.7% were employed in secondary healthcare institutions. 12.0% had adequate levels of physical activity, 45.6% had low levels of physical activity, 42.4% were physically inactive and 66.4% had a poor sleep quality. The prevalence of persistent and current musculoskeletal pain in the participants was 93.9% and 72.8%, respectively. No significant correlation was found between the participants' physical activity levels, and their musculoskeletal pain levels and pain in parts of the musculoskeletal system (p> 0.05). After adjustments made according to some characteristics, the probability of being physically inactive was 2.825 times higher (OR, 95% CI: 1.028-7.760) in the participants who had wrist pain during the study. The probability of poor sleep quality was higher in the participants with persistent musculoskeletal pain [4.028 (1.579; 10.278)], with low back pain [1.668 (1.020-2.729)] and with neck pain [2.916 (1.751-4.857)]. The probability of having poor sleep quality was 2.156 times higher (1.286-3.616) in the participants with musculoskeletal pain during the study and 3.147 times higher (1.721; 5.756) in the participants with neck pain during the study. The presence of persistent musculoskeletal pain, current musculoskeletal pain or parts of the musculoskeletal system with pain adversely affected sleep quality. Except for the wrist pain, the presence of persistent or current musculoskeletal pain, or of pain in terms of the parts of the musculoskeletal system at the time of the study did not affect the participants' physical activity status. Key Words: Physical activity, Sleep quality, Musculoskeletal System, Pain, Health professionals.