Awareness of Ergonomics in Medical University Teachers of Karachi
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Background: Medical university teachers may experience prolonged sitting, computer use, repetitive activities, and sustained postures, making awareness of ergonomic principles relevant to occupational health. Objective: To assess ergonomics awareness among medical university teachers in Karachi and determine its association with age, gender, educational qualification, and teaching experience. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey included 289 teachers recruited through non-probability convenience sampling from medical universities in Karachi. Awareness was assessed using a pilot-tested semi-structured questionnaire with a 20-point score classified as poor, fair, or good. Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha=0.715). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, and crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Poor awareness was identified in 162 participants (56.1%), fair awareness in 127 (43.9%), and good awareness in none. Poor awareness was more frequent among females than males (62.2% versus 42.0%). Gender was associated with awareness level (χ²=10.082, p=0.0015), with females having greater crude odds of poor awareness (OR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.36–3.78). Awareness was not significantly associated with age (p=0.6915), educational qualification (p=0.1961), or teaching experience (p=0.2891). Conclusion: Poor ergonomics awareness was common among the participating medical university teachers. The gender association requires cautious interpretation because the analysis was unadjusted. Medical universities should evaluate faculty ergonomics-education needs using validated assessment methods
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