Association between Job Stress, Job Demand, and Musculoskeletal Disorders among Academic Staff of Universities in Benue State: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71637/tnhj.v25i1.971Keywords:
musculoskeletal disorder, job stress, job demand, academic staff, occupational healthAbstract
Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent among academic staff, potentially worsened by job-related stress and high job demands. This study examined the correlations between job stress, job demand, and MSDs among academic staff in universities in Benue State, Nigeria.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 355 academic staff selected using a multi-stage sampling method across four universities. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire incorporating validated scales for job stress and job demand. Descriptive statistics and Spearman Rank correlation were used for analysis, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Most respondents were aged 51 years and above (41.1%), predominantly male (64.8%), and primarily senior lecturers (31.5%). The mean job stress level was moderate (M = 2.68, SD = 0.87), while job demand was high (M = 2.99, SD = 0.66). Key stressors included workload, emotional impact, and physical strain, while responsibilities drove job demand. The prevalence of MSDs was 84.4%. Job stress showed a strong positive correlation with MSDs (rs(353) = .80, p < .001), identifying it as a major risk factor. However, job demand had a positive but non-significant correlation with MSDs (rs(353) = .328, p > .05).
Conclusion: Occupational stress significantly impacts musculoskeletal health among academic staff. Targeted interventions, including stress management programs and workload optimization, are necessary to enhance well-being and productivity.
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