Publication:

Effect of using face shield and its relation to musculoskeletal disorder among health practitioners

Background Personal protective equipment (PPE) is considered a very essential element in controlling the spread of infection in health care facilities; however, prolonged use of various PPE, especially face shields cause discomfort, neck impingement and restricted movement leading to musculo skeletal disorders (MSDs).

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 145 Health Practitioners (HPs) at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, utilising a validated questionnaire from December 2022 to May 2023. Univariate analysis was using Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics version 23.0.

Results Approximately 52% indicated experiencing MSDs, while 44.7% reported MSDs associated with the prolonged use of face shields in the workplace. The risk of MSDs was 3.4 times higher among individuals who used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (95% CI: 1.0–11.2). PPE-related restrictions on movement resulted in MSD for 72% of healthcare professionals, presenting a 2.5-fold risk (95% CI: 1.2-5.0). A significant association was observed between the history of work-related MSDs and their prevalence among healthcare professionals utilising face shields (OR: 9.5; 95% CI: 2.7-33.5). Many HPs reported discomfort, diminished visual clarity and movement restrictions, all of which are associated with MSDs. Although not statistically significant, 9% of healthcare professionals who wore PPE for more than 6 hours/day reported experiencing MSDs.

Conclusions PPEs can serve as a deterrent in certain aspects, yet they are essential for safeguarding HPs from various infections. Customising and utilising tailored PPEs can assist healthcare professionals in safeguarding themselves from both infections and MSDs.