To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb (MSD-UL) among healthcare staff, to identify socio-occupational factors risk. And their impact on the work capacity.

Cross-sectional study, conducted with a representative sample stratified according to age, gender and service ensuring the nursing function in one of two university hospitals in central Tunisia. Data of the survey concerned socio-professional characteristics, the index of work capacity (WAI) and integrates Nordic questionnaire MSD. The survey was completed by twelve manoeuvres of SALTSA, the protocol of early clinical MSD-UL screening.

The sample included 300, but only 239 forms were useable. The average age was 42.64 years±11.65 years, with a slight predominance of older workers over 45 years (53.9%) and the sex ratio was 1.06. Obesity involved more than 1/5 of the nurses (BMI>30) and more than half (51.9%) did not practice any regular physical activity. Work capacity was considered “good” or “excellent” for 3/4 of caregivers. During the previous 12 months of investigation MSD of the shoulders were the most reported with a prevalence of 62.12% versus 43.34% MSD of the neck, 21.84% oft the elbow and 43.68% of the hands. MSD of the neck and shoulder were statistically correlated to the female gender, age >45 years. The protocol Saltsa objectified painful movements of the shoulders in 62 nurses, epicondylitis and tendinitis of the wrist in 67.92% and carpal tunnel syndrome in 25 nurses. The average distance thumb-C7 as equal to 16.42±5.91cm and its increase was correlated with professional seniority. Moreover, the presence of some MSD significantly alter the working capacity, particularly MSD neck (P<10-3), the right shoulder (P=0.03), the left elbow (P=0, 03) and the right wrist (P=0.01).

MSD-UL are pathologies, which can be associated with heavy individual handicap and serious consequences for society, imposing multidisciplinary preventive strategy and management.