The investigation of musculoskeletal disorders, sleep quality, and fatigue of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of the study is comapring musculoskeletal system complaints, fatigue, and sleep quality in front-line and second-line healthcare workers treating for COVID patients. 152 healthcare workers between the ages of 18 and 65 who worked in outpatient clinics, services, Covid-19 units, or administrative management were included in this study. Health workers involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and isolation of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 were determined as front-line workers (26F, 45M) and if not were determined as second-line workers (40F, 41M). After the collecting of the participants' demographic data, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) were used to assess the participants' musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep quality. A significant difference was found in the training time, job experience, and number of weekly shifts of healthcare workers working on the front-line healthcare workers compared to working on the second-line healthcare workers (p≤0.05). Front-line healthcare workers reported more neck and back pain, while second-line healthcare workers reported more lower back pain. It was found that front-line healthcare workers had higher levels of fatigue severity (t (150): 4.264, p≤0.001, Cohen d: 0.69), lower levels of sleep quality (t(150): 4.479, p≤0.001, Cohen d: 0.72). Work programs should be arranged for fatigue and sleep problems of frontline health workers, and protective neck and back muscles exercise programs should be given for front and second-line health workers.