Work-Related Foot Pain and Its Associated Risk Factors Among Health Care Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Work-related foot pain is a significant occupational health issue among healthcare professionals, impacting mobility, job performance, and overall well-being. Prolonged standing, inadequate footwear, and body mass index (BMI) are recognized contributors, yet the interplay of these factors in clinical settings remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, severity, and associated risk factors of work-related foot pain among healthcare professionals in Karachi, Pakistan, with a focus on the roles of BMI, footwear comfort, and occupational exposure. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August 2024 to January 2025 in three tertiary hospitals in Karachi. A total of 178 healthcare professionals aged 20 to 50 years were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected via a validated, self-administered questionnaire assessing demographic, occupational, and foot pain characteristics. Pain severity was categorized using a numerical rating scale. Associations between BMI, pain severity, and other variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Foot pain was prevalent in 49.4% of participants as mild, 24.2% as moderate, 23.0% as severe, and 2.8% as extreme. The highest prevalence of both mild and severe pain occurred in the BMI range of 20.1–25.0 kg/m². Significant associations were observed between foot pain severity and both BMI and footwear comfort (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Work-related foot pain is common among healthcare professionals in Karachi, with severity influenced by BMI and ergonomic factors. Targeted preventive strategies, including ergonomic interventions and footwear optimization, are recommended to safeguard workforce health and enhance job satisfaction.