Dimensional analysis and characteristics of chairs and tables utilized by public healthcare workers in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Furniture is a critical component of healthcare service delivery, directly influencing performance, safety and staff well-being. This study conducted a dimensional analysis of chairs and tables used by public healthcare workers in Calabar Metropolis (CM), Nigeria, comparing measured dimensions with international ergonomic standards. Data collected from tertiary, secondary and primary healthcare facilities (HCFs) revealed substantial dimensional variability and widespread non-conformity in both seating work surfaces. Chair dimensions showed large departures from recommended ranges with seat height: 309 – 640 mm, seat depth: 296 – 670 mm, and backrest-to-seat: 70 – 253 mm. Table heights also exhibited wide variation, with most surfaces deviating from the optimal ergonomic benchmark of 710 – 760 mm, thereby increasing the risk of postural strain and reduced work efficiency. The lack of uniformity and conformity indicates a lack of standardised ergonomic guidelines in procurement and highlights a breach between user anthropometry and the furniture provided. The study underscores the need for context-specific ergonomic investigation and guidelines, establishing a baseline for future ergonomic assessment and evidence-based furniture design interventions in public healthcare facilities in Calabar Metropolis.

Keywords

• Dimensional Analysis
• Chairs and Tables
• Healthcare Furniture
• Calabar Metropolis.

Nijerya’nın Calabar metropolünde kamu sağlık çalışanları tarafından kullanılan sandalyelerin ve masaların boyutsal analizi ve özellikleri

Abstract

Sağlık hizmetlerinin sunumunda mobilya kritik bir bileşendir ve doğrudan performansı, güvenliği ve personelin refahını etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma, Nijerya’nın Calabar Metropolü’nde (CM) kamu sağlık çalışanları tarafından kullanılan sandalye ve masaların boyutsal analizini gerçekleştirmiş ve ölçülen boyutları uluslararası ergonomi standartlarıyla karşılaştırmıştır. Üçüncü basamak, ikinci basamak ve birinci basamak sağlık kuruluşlarından (HCF’ler) toplanan veriler, hem oturma elemanlarında hem de çalışma yüzeylerinde önemli boyutsal değişkenlik ve yaygın uyumsuzluk olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Sandalye boyutları, önerilen aralıklardan büyük sapmalar göstermiş; oturma yüksekliği 309–640 mm, oturma derinliği 296–670 mm ve sırtlık–oturma yüksekliği 70–253 mm arasında değişmiştir. Masa yükseklikleri de geniş bir dağılım sergilemiş ve yüzeylerin çoğu 710–760 mm olan optimal ergonomik referans aralığının dışında kalarak postüral zorlanma ve çalışma veriminde azalma riskini artırmıştır. Gözlenen bu uyumsuzluk ve düzensizlik, tedarik süreçlerinde standartlaştırılmış ergonomik yönergelerin bulunmadığını ve kullanıcı antropometrisi ile sağlanan mobilyalar arasında bir uyumsuzluk olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma, bağlama özgü ergonomik incelemelere ve yönergelere duyulan gereksinimi vurgulamakta ve Calabar Metropolündeki kamu sağlık kuruluşlarında gelecekte yapılacak ergonomik değerlendirmeler ile kanıta dayalı mobilya tasarım müdahaleleri için bir temel oluşturmaktadır.

Keywords

• Boyutsal Analiz
• Sandalyeler ve Masalar
• Sağlık Mobilyaları

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