TITLE:
Rotator Cuff Syndrome (RCS) Prevalence and Risk Factors among Midwives, Obstetricians, and Auxiliary Midwives in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) in 2024
AUTHORS:
Aimé Francois Tchicaya, Irel Narcisse Arnaud Aka, Anny Adjouan Kra, Sangah Barthémy Wognin, Jean-Sylvain Bonny
KEYWORDS:
Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Midwives, Bobo-Dioulasso
JOURNAL NAME:
Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine,
Vol.13 No.4,
September
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Rotator cuff syndrome is a musculoskeletal disorder of the shoulder that is common but underestimated among midwives, obstetricians, and auxiliary birth attendants in Burkina Faso. Materials and method: In order to determine its prevalence and risk factors, we conducted an analytical study among midwives, obstetricians, and auxiliary birth attendants in the city of Bobo Dioulasso. Data were collected using the 2001 Nordic questionnaire adapted to shoulder MSDs. The SALTSA protocol was used for diagnostic confirmation during the physical examination. These data were analysed using EPI INFO software version 7.2.6.0. A univariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors. Results: We surveyed 116 midwives, obstetricians, and auxiliary midwives from six health centres. The average age was 42.80 years. Midwives accounted for 80.17% of the workforce. Professional seniority was 6 to 10 years in 37.07% of cases. The prevalence of rotator cuff syndrome over the past 12 months was 62.06%, and 37.94% over the past seven days. The clinical symptomatic form of RTS accounted for 57.75% of cases, supraspinatus involvement for 5.55% of cases, and 71.55% of healthcare workers had little knowledge of preventive measures for shoulder MSDs and RTS. Analysis of risk factors revealed a significant link between length of service, night work, and the occurrence of rotator cuff syndrome among healthcare workers. Discussion: Rotator cuff syndrome is a common condition among these healthcare workers. Improving working conditions will help to reduce its prevalence.