Work stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in employees of a private company in the city of Asunción, Paraguay, 2023

Abstract

Introduction: musculoskeletal disorders and work stress affect the quality of life of an organization's workers.
Objective: to describe the level of work stress and the degree of perception of musculoskeletal symptoms in employees of a private company in the city of Asunción.
Methodology: this was a descriptive, quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study. We used non-probabilistic convenience sampling. 45 administrative collaborators from a private company participated. The instruments used were: ILO-WHO Work Stress Scale and the Kuorinka Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptoms Questionnaire. The study variables were stress levels and musculoskeletal symptoms. MS-Excel 2016 software was used for data processing.
Results: of a sample of 45 people, 87 % (n = 39) reported a low level of stress. On the other hand, 96 % (n = 43) presented a perception of musculoskeletal symptoms.
Conclusion: the majority of employees reported a low level of stress. On the other hand, almost the entire sample perceived symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, located mainly in the lower back area. The relationship between the level of stress and the perception of musculoskeletal symptoms is a topic that requires more in-depth research to determine more precisely the effects of work stress on the human body. Kinesiology and Physiotherapy is a valid path for implementing plans for the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal ailments in the context of organizations.