title: Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Occupational Musculoskeletal Injuries: Prevalence and Risk Factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of occupational musculoskeletal injuries (OMIs) among occupational therapy practitioners over a 12-month period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire mailed to 500 randomly selected practicing occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) living in the state of Texas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A response rate of 38 % was attained with 192 questionnaires returned. In a 12-months working period, 23 % of occupational therapy practitioners experienced musculoskeletal injuries. Muscle strain (52 %) was most reported injury and lower back (32 %) was most injured body part. Years of practicing experience (t = 2.83, p = 0.01), and age x(2)(2, N = 192) = 8.28, p = 0.02 were found as significant factors associated with injuries among OTAs. No factors were significantly associated with injuries among OTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient handling was the primary factor associated with injuries. Also, minimal experience and older age were concluded as risk factors that might contribute to OMIs.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 31470, 90805, Sulaibikhat, Kuwait, Kuwait. ot_alnaser@hsc.edu.kw.
authors.forename: Musaed Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Alnaser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Musculoskeletal injuries; Occupation; Safety; Therapist; Work injuries