Soluções ergonômicas para sintomas musculoesqueléticos de profissionais do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU)

Abstract

This case study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among professionals working at the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU) in Piancó, Paraíba, Brazil. These workers are exposed to ergonomic risks, including heavy lifting, inadequate postures, and high work intensity (LIMA, 2020; TONEZER; CORDENUZZI, 2022), which may compromise their health and the quality of emergency care. Recent literature highlights a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in this population (SANTOS et al., 2021; NAZZAL et al., 2024), emphasizing the need to understand ergonomic factors and implement preventive and intervention strategies. The main objective was to analyze the prevalence of these symptoms and identify the most affected body regions, supporting occupational health promotion measures. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quali-quantitative study was conducted with professionals from different roles at SAMU Piancó-PB. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire related to occupational activity, developed by the researcher, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (KUORINKA et al., 1987), addressing complaints over the past 12 months and the past 7 days. Data collection was anonymous, and results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (FÁVERO; BELFIORI, 2024), through absolute and relative frequencies, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion. Stratified probabilistic sampling was applied. The study field had a stable workforce, with an average of 13 years of service, allowing a better analysis of prolonged occupational exposure. Results and Discussion: Findings revealed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly in the lumbar, cervical, and shoulder regions, areas most overloaded in prehospital care activities (GOULART et al., 2020; ALMEIDA, 2023). These results are consistent with previous studies (DAVIES et al., 2023; PRYCE et al., 2024), confirming that ergonomic factors are directly associated with the SAMU work environment. Prolonged service time, combined with intense physical demands and night shifts (STAVÅS et al., 2024), increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and reduces productivity, also affecting care quality (VIEIRA; MININEL; SATO, 2023; RUNGE et al., 2024). These findings reinforce the need for preventive strategies such as ergonomic training, regular breaks, equipment adaptation, and posture awareness programs (FALZON, 2007; ABRAHÃO et al., 2009; BRASIL, 2021). The implementation of the Permanent Education Center (NEP) at SAMU Piancó is essential to provide ongoing training in ergonomics, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (LER/DORT), and psychological support, in line with the National Policy for Permanent Health Education (BRASIL, 2018) and the Pan-American Health Organization (OPAS, 2017). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among SAMU Piancó-PB professionals, highlighting the urgency of institutional policies focused on occupational health. The adoption of ergonomic and educational measures, combined with multiprofessional support and strengthening of the NEP, can reduce risks, improve workers’ quality of life, and ensure safer prehospital emergency care (ASPHM, 2024; O’DWYER; KONDER, 2022).