@article{ref1,
title="A systematic review and meta-analysis of musculoskeletal disorders among firefighters",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2024",
author="Tahernejad, Somayeh and Farahi-Ashtiani, Iman and Veisani, Yousef and Ghaffari, Sina and Sahebi, Ali and Makki, Faezeh",
volume="88",
number="",
pages="374-381",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Due to the nature of their job, firefighters face many ergonomic risk factors and are exposed to several musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the prevalence of MSDs among firefighters. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, ISC and Google Scholar without applying a time limitation until the end of July 2022. The random effects model was used for meta-analysis, and the I(2) index was used to check heterogeneity among studies. The data were analyzed using STATA version 14 software. <br><br>RESULTS: The primary literature searches in the databases identified 1,291 articles, 26 of which were entered the meta-analysis stage after screening, study selection, and quality assessment, including 36,342 firefighters. Based on the results of a meta-analysis, the overall prevalence of MSDs among firefighters was 46.39% (95% CI: 32.45-60.32, I(2) = 99.7%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of MSDs was also investigated at neck (18.36%), low back (34.32%), shoulder (18.68%), hands (7.43%), upper back (10.15%), knee (19.97%) and foot (6.66%). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Considering the relatively high prevalence of MSDs among firefighters and their higher exposition to specific job-related risk factors of MSDs compared to other professions, it is suggested to provide firefighters with appropriate training, implement ergonomic interventions, and regularly screen them to reduce MSDs.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="10.1016/j.jsr.2023.11.009",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2023.11.009"
}