MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS AMONG CYTOTECHNOLOGISTS

We measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cytotechn ologists in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area, We surveyed cytotec hnologists to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder upper-back, elbo w/forearm, hand/wrist, and lower-back symptoms in the prior year. Eigh ty-two (69%) of 125 cytotechnologists returned questionnaires of which 95% were working as cytotechnologists. The prevalences of neck (61.5% ), hand/wrist (56.4%), and lower-back (42.3%) symptoms were highest La boratory workers routinely involved in microscope-related work may be at risk for cumulative trauma disorders. We concluded that an ergonomi c approach to this problem can help prevent musculoskeletal symptoms.