The Prevalence of Occupational Knee Injury Among Active Duty Royal Malaysian Army in Kuala Lumpur Camp

Abstract

Background: The members of the military are exposed to extreme occupational demands, requiring excellent physical and mental fitness. With frequent physical training, the military members are exposed to the risk of knee injury. Injuries among military personnel causing disability will negatively impact the capabilities of the armed forces. Methods: This is a cross- sectional study conducted among Royal Malaysian Army in a camp in Kuala Lumpur for 12 months using a self-reported questionnaire. 1244 respondents’ data were analysed in this report to determine the prevalence of occupational knee injury and the associated factors. Results: The prevalence of knee injury among respondents is 27.8% (95% CI: 25.4, 30.4), and the prevalence of occupational knee injury among the respondents is 16.6% (95% CI: 14.6, 18.8). Sports injury while on duty is the highest reported with 11%, followed by road traffic accidents (5.5%). Military drill (3.7%), sport’s activities while not on duty (3.5%), fall on duty (2.1%), fall out of duty (1%) and other causes of knee injury (1.4%). Age group, race, household income, troop element, service years, BMI, comorbidity were found to be significantly associated with the cause of knee injury, while rank, gender and education were not. Activities like jogging, cycling, football / futsal, gym or heavy weight lifting activities and other sports activities were also found to be significantly associated with the cause of injury. The factors contributing to occupational knee injuries were age 30 years old and above, BMI more than 25 kg/m2, and those who play football or futsal. Other types of sports and comorbidity were the factors that contribute to both occupational and non-occupational knee injury, while jogging and slow run were the protective factors for both.