Factors Influencing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Preventive Practices Among Clinical Staff at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Background Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) remain a silent epidemic among healthcare workers, undermining their productivity, well-being, and the quality of patient care. Despite growing knowledge of occupational health risks, the consistent application of preventive measures remains inadequate and poorly understood. This gap poses significant challenges for workforce sustainability and healthcare delivery efficiency. This study investigates the factors influencing WRMSD preventive practices among clinical staff at a Nigerian teaching hospital, aiming to identify barriers, enablers, and opportunities for strengthening occupational health interventions within the clinical setting. Methods The study utilized a cross-sectional design with four hundred and twenty-two clinical staffs selected from nine clinical departments from the university of port-harcourt teaching hospital in Rivers State through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Dependent variable was Preventive Practice; independent variable was knowledge, attitude and perception. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics Results The mean age of clinical staff was 50.2years (SD = 11.8). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that knowledge (AOR = 1.502, 95% CI = 1.454– 4.020, p = 0.001).), perception (AOR = 1.901, 95% CI = 1.821–2.220, p = 0.000), and attitude (AOR = 1.180, 95% CI = 1.070–1.410, p = 0.780). all had significant associations with increased odds except attitude to preventive practices among clinical staff in Rivers State. Conclusion The translation of this knowledge into actual preventive practices remains inconsistent so addressing the workloads, strengthening health education, and improving access to preventive tools are essential for enhancing WRMSD prevention practices among clinical staffs.