“Work-Related Shoulder Pain in Saudi Male Workers: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Preventive Strategies – A Systematic Review”
Keywords:
shoulder pain, occupational health, Saudi Arabia, male workers, risk factors, prevention, systematic reviewAbstract
Musculoskeletal disorders are a leading cause of work disability worldwide, and shoulder pain is among the most common. In Saudi Arabia, male workers in construction, industry, and healthcare are exposed to repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, and awkward postures that increase shoulder injury risk. The prevalence and risk factors for work-related shoulder pain in Saudi male workers remain poorly summarized. This systematic review aimed to estimate prevalence, identify occupational risk factors, and evaluate preventive strategies. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Saudi Digital Library for studies from 2010 to 2025. Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria with a total of 14,560 male participants. Pooled prevalence of work-related shoulder pain ranged from 22% to 48%, with highest rates in construction and manual labor. Key risk factors included repetitive overhead work, forceful exertion, long working hours, and lack of ergonomic training . Preventive strategies with evidence included ergonomic interventions, job rotation, stretching programs, and health education. The review concludes that shoulder pain is a significant occupational health problem in Saudi male workers and that workplace-based prevention programs are urgently needed......
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