Occupational and Environmental Factors Contributing to Knee Pain in Hospital Staff: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with knee pain among staff at Baharloo Teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran. Given the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and their impact on quality of life and job performance, this research focused on identifying both occupational and non-occupational risk factors contributing to knee pain. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 450 hospital personnel. The study collected information regarding demographic characteristics, employment history—including job type, secondary employment, duration of employment, and work shift—as well as medical history, which encompassed personal and family histories of health issues, knee pain, the presence of any musculoskeletal disorders, and smoking history. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to analyse the collected data. Results Of the 450 participants, 229 (51.1%) reported experiencing knee pain. The results indicated that risk factors such as age, female gender, carrying heavy loads, standing for more than four hours a day, using medication for knee pain, and a history of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders were associated with the incidence of knee pain. Additionally, individuals with lower job satisfaction scores were at higher risk (P < 0.05). Conclusion This study revealed that both occupational and non-occupational risk factors significantly influence the occurrence of knee pain among hospital staff. Identifying these factors can aid in the development of preventive strategies and improve the occupational health of hospital personnel. The findings highlight the need for greater attention to ergonomic and health-related issues in medical work environments.