Prevalence of operating room occupational health cluster: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To assess the global prevalence of occupational health impairments among operating room personnel (Operating Room Occupational Health Cluster) and provide evidence for targeted health interventions. Methods: We conducted computerized searches of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for cross-sectional and cohort studies on occupational injuries among operating room personnel, spanning from database inception to January 1, 2026. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4, with logit-transformed raw rates pooled using fixed- or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Results: Forty studies with 23,816 participants were included. Meta-analysis revealed: (1) Musculoskeletal injuries: Overall prevalence was 56.52% [95% CI (47.64, 65.03%)], with lumbar pain (76.13%), shoulder/neck pain (63.14%), and knee pain (58.91%) most common. (2) Job Burnout: Prevalence was 52.38% [95% CI (42.86, 65.15%)], with emotional exhaustion at 46.24%. (3) Occupational Exposure: Blood and body fluid exposure occurred at 45.05%, surgical smoke exposure at 69.71%, and sharp object/needle stick injuries at 16.07 and 25.51%, respectively. (4) Mental Health: Depression prevalence was 59.14% [95% CI (54.24, 68.78%)], and anxiety at 36.31%. Descriptive analysis indicated high levels of fatigue among operating room personnel. Conclusion: The prevalence of Operating Room Occupational is high, with musculoskeletal pain, depression, and occupational exposure being particularly severe. Healthcare management should prioritize the physical and mental health of operating room personnel, optimize workflows, and strengthen occupational protection measures. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251275100, CRD420251275100.