Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among hotel housekeepers and cleaners: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are among the most frequent and costly occupational health problems with a rising prevalence globally.Objective: This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to know and evaluate the prevalence of MSD by anatomic location among hotel housekeepers (HHs) and cleaners.Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Dialnet Plus, PEDro and Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews using a search strategy to identify cross-sectional studies reporting on the prevalence of MSD in HHs or cleaners. The risk of bias was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute tool for systematic reviews. A random-effects model was used in the meta-analysis.Results: Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review, nine of them in the meta-analysis (n = 2299). The study sample sizes ranged from 24 to 1043 participants. The Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was the most common tool used to assess MSD among both HHs and cleaners (9/19 of the included studies). The three most affected anatomic locations were the low back 53.9% (95% CI: 43.3-64.6), shoulders 41.4% (95% CI: 27.1-55.8), and wrists/hands 40.1% (95% CI: 24.5-55.7).Conclusions: HHs and cleaners have a high prevalence of MSD. Low back pain is the most prevalent MSD among both HHs and cleaners affecting up to one of two people.