Furniture Mismatch Assessment and Human Factor Issues in Primary Healthcare Facilities of Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2625Keywords:
Anthropometry, Ergonomics Mismatch, Healthcare Workers Furniture, Primary Facilities, Musculoskeletal disordersAbstract
Introduction: Furniture-user mismatch is a recognised occupational health risk, yet no study has systematically evaluated ergonomic compatibility between healthcare workers (HCWs) and furniture in Nigerian primary healthcare facilities (PHCFs). This study assessed the anthropometric profile of HCWs in public PHCFs in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria, and evaluated the degree of mismatch between their body dimensions and their workstations. Methods: A total of 145 HCWs (47 males, 98 females) were recruited across 25 selected PHCFs. Thirteen anthropometric parameters were measured in accordance with ISO 7250. Six chair types (four armchairs and two armless chairs) and fifteen table types were dimensionally assessed. Match and mismatch percentages were computed by comparing furniture dimensions against ergonomically derived acceptable ranges based on the 5th and 95th percentile values of relevant anthropometric parameters. Results: Study revealed pervasive mismatch across all furniture types and dimensions. Among armchairs, seat height match rates did not exceed 33.3% in any group, while armrest height match was below 15% across all four types. Armless chairs performed comparatively better, with Chair Type 3 achieving up to 66.7% seat height match in males. Table height mismatch exceeded 70% for nearly all fifteen table types, with upper mismatch being the dominant pattern. Conclusion: Findings of the present study demonstrate a critical ergonomic deficit in primary healthcare furniture in Calabar Metropolis and underscore the urgent need for anthropometrically informed furniture design and procurement policies to protect HCWs from musculoskeletal disorder (MSDs) risk.
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