Knowledge level of ergonomics and postural hygiene among medical students at a private university in Lima, Peru

Authors

  • Osmel Alejandro Morales-Ruza Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2511-8986
  • Roberto Carlos Cañedo-Hernandez Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5777-1404
  • Víctor Manuel Gallegos-Rejas Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú; Centre for Online Health, Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Thoracic Centre Research, Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9856-4848

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21142/mecp.2026.1.2.e023

Keywords:

Ergonomics, Posture, Students, Medical, Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Occupational Health

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the knowledge levels regarding ergonomics and postural hygiene, and to describe the frequency of musculoskeletal complaints and their distribution according to sociodemographic, academic, and clinical factors among medical students at a private university in Lima. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2025 among 184 medical students. The validated questionnaire developed by Quiroz was used. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Results: A high frequency of musculoskeletal complaints was observed (178; 96.7%), mainly involving the neck (111; 60.3%) and lower back (105; 57.0%). Sufficient knowledge of ergonomics was found in 54.9% of participants, whereas only 18.5% demonstrated sufficient knowledge of postural hygiene. Greater knowledge of ergonomics was observed among students reporting a higher frequency of pain (p = 0.010), while greater knowledge of postural hygiene was found among those who performed stretching exercises more frequently (p = 0.009). Conclusions: The high frequency of musculoskeletal complaints contrasts with the low level of knowledge regarding postural hygiene, highlighting the need to strengthen ergonomics education among medical students.

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Published

2026-06-22

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Brief original

How to Cite

1.
Morales-Ruza OA, Cañedo-Hernandez RC, Gallegos-Rejas VM. Knowledge level of ergonomics and postural hygiene among medical students at a private university in Lima, Peru. Med Educ Clin Pract [Internet]. 2026 Jun. 22 [cited 2026 Jun. 29];1(2):e023. Available from: https://revistas.cientifica.edu.pe/index.php/mecp/article/view/3544