Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Radiographers at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu

Musculoskeletal disorders represent a significant occupational hazard for radiography practitioners, arising from repeated patient positioning, heavy equipment handling, and prolonged static postures during imaging procedures. Despite growing global awareness, the burden of these disorders among radiographers in South East Nigerian teaching hospitals remains poorly documented. This study examines the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal disorders among radiographers at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. A cross-sectional descriptive design is adopted, using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire administered to 85 radiographers selected by census sampling from the radiology department. Data capture demographics, years of experience, work shift patterns, body regions affected, symptom severity, and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests are applied using SPSS version 26. Available literature from teaching hospitals in South East Nigeria identifies the lower back, neck, and shoulders as the most frequently affected body regions among diagnostic radiographers, with manual patient-handling tasks being the predominant precipitating activity. The Demand-Control-Support Model of occupational health provides the theoretical framework for analysing the work exposure-disorder relationship. Findings are expected to reveal a prevalence exceeding 60 percent, consistent with regional comparisons from West African radiography contexts. Recommendations will address ergonomic training programmes, patient handling aids procurement, and institutional occupational health surveillance policies for radiology departments in the South East zone. Keywords: musculoskeletal disorders, radiographers, occupational health, Enugu, South East Nigeria.