Prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in urban communities in multi-ethnic Suriname: a cross-sectional study with the COPCORD methodology (stage 1, phase 1 and 2)

Introduction/objectives Musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) are a major burden worldwide. In Suriname, a South American developing country, the epidemiology of MSCs and its related disorders is still unknown. Therefore, a cross-sectional survey was carried out to determine prevalence and risk factors of MSCs in urban areas of Suriname. Methods This is the first Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases survey in a Caribbean Community. Trained interviewers collecting self-reported data conducted this house-to-house community-based survey. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and Stata version 14.1. Results The prevalence of MSCs was 62.1% with a higher prevalence rate among women compared with men (resp. 64.3% vs. 58.6%) (Odds ratio = 1.185; p <= 0.05). The most decisive self-reported variables associated with MSCs were older age (defined as >= 45 years) and moderate to heavy physical workload. The prevalence of MSCs was also associated with women, low educational level, smoking, alcohol use, high-intensity physical activity level, and body mass index (>= 25 kg/m(2)). The highest prevalence of MSCs was found among African descendants (Maroons (68.8%) and Creoles (68.0%)), followed by the Indigenous (65.0%) and Asian descendants (Hindustani (64.3%) and Javanese (49.5%)). Most persons with MSCs (75.7%) reported multisite complaints with lower back, knee, and shoulder being the most frequently reported sites. In our study population, MSCs were not considered disabling (mean Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index score of 0.23). Conclusions The prevalence of MSCs in this urban multi-ethnic Surinamese community is high; therefore, future research is needed to further explore the burden of MSCs in Suriname.