Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain and Coping Strategies in School Teachers


Affiliations
1 Shree Bharatimaiya College of Optometry and Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395007, Gujarat, India
2 Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India
 

Introduction: School teachers have high prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders which decrease productivity at work due to sick leave and absenteeism. In India, more traditional methods of teaching are used as compared to other countries, and this difference encouraged us to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, risk factors and coping strategies adopted by teachers. Methods: A self-administered Questionnaire was distributed to 810 particcipants. 567 responses were received out of which 30 questionnaires were incomplete. The self-administered Questionnaire included 31 questions under 5 categories: General Profile, Occupational profile, Health/Musculoskeletal pain profile, Perceived risk factors and Coping Strategies. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, frequency were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of musculoskeletal symptoms with demograpic factors and working conditions. Results: 112 (20.9%) reported having musculoskeletal pain. Low back (48.2%) was commonly affected. 50.9% had chronic pain and 71.4% reported pain interfered with occupational routine. 48.2% reported with sleep disturbances. Commonly percieved factor was standing for prolonged periods (76.8%). Risk factor analysis using logistic regression model on cause of pain showed statistical significance (χ2 (27)=77.169, p<0.005). Females were 3.952 times more likely to exhibit pain than males (OR 3.952, 95% CI 1.694- 9.217). Commonly reported coping strategy was visiting a Physiotherapist (44.6%). While 33% coped up with pain using prescribed analgesics, none of them opted to rest. Despite high prevalence and severity, only 17% had frequented absenteism to work by taking sick leave. Discussion: Prevalence rate of musculoskeletal pain was found to be higher among school teachers as per the results of this present study. Prevalence and risk factor perceptions of school teachers as reported in this study can be of significance in understanding and addressing these factors and appropriate measures to prevent and overcome them can be devised based on these results. Since the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms can be multifactorial in nature, the results of this present study need to be correlated with all possible mechanisms related to this population and further studies to determine the effectiveness of appropriate ergonomic modifications should be taken into consideration.

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living, Coping Strategies, Risk Factors, Teachers, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Mohan V, Justine M, Jagannathan M, Bt Aminudin S, Bt Johari SH. Preliminary study of the patterns and physical risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among academicians in a higher learning institute. J Orthop Sci. 2015; 20(2):410-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-014-0682-4 PMid:25542222

  • Shuai J, Yue P, Li L, Liu F, Wang S. Assessing the effects of an educational program for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers. BMC Public Health. 2014; 14:1211. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1211 PMid:25422067 PMCid:PMC4256741

  • Yuichiro Ono TI, Shimaoka M, Hiruta S, Hattori Y, Ando S, Hori F, Tatsumi A. Associations of length of employment and working conditions with neck, shoulder and arm pain among nursery school teachers. Industrial Health. 2002; 40(2):149-58. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.40.149 PMid:12064556

  • Yue P, Liu F, Li L. Neck/shoulder pain and low back pain among school teachers in China, prevalence and risk factors. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:789. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-245812-789 PMid:22978655 PMCid:PMC3524038

  • Erick PN, Smith DR. Low back pain among school teachers in Botswana, prevalence and risk factors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014; 15:359. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-15-359 PMid:25358427 PMCid:PMC4230345

  • Rottermund AKJ, Saulicz E, Myśliwiec A, Saulicz M, Rygiel KA, Linek P. Back and neck pain among school teachers in Poland and its correlations with physical activity. Medycyna Pracy. 2015; 66(6):771-8. https://doi.org/10.13075/mp.5893.00121 PMid:26674164

  • Kovess-Masfety V, Sevilla-Dedieu C, Rios-Seidel C, Nerriere E, Chan Chee C. Do teachers have more health problems? Results from a French cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health. 2006; 6:101. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-6-101 PMid:16630336 PMCid:PMC1523205

  • Cheng HK, Wong MT, Yu YC, Ju YY. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in special education teachers and teacher’s aides. BMC Public Health. 2016; 16:137. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2777-7 PMid:26864071 PMCid:PMC4750223

  • Erick PN, Smith DR. A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011; 12:260. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-260 PMid:22087739 PMCid:PMC3250950

  • Korkmaz UCNC, Telci EA. Musculoskeletal pain, associated risk factors and coping strategies in school teachers. Scientific Research and Essays. 2011; 6(3):649-57.

  • Chiu TT, Lam PK. The prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain and upper limb pain among secondary school teachers in Hong Kong. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2007; 17(1):19-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-006-9046-z PMid:16933144

  • Chiu TW, Lau KT, Ho CW, Ma MC, Yeung TF, Cheung PM. A study on the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in secondary school teachers. Public Health. 2006; 120(6):563-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2006.01.007 PMid:16684548

  • Rajan Balakrishnan MEC, Thenmozhi. Prevalence of low back pain and its risk factors among secondary school teachers at Bentong, Pahang. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health. 2016; 3(2):35-40.

  • Sethy Damayanti MZ, Bajpai P. Occurrence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among school teachers in eastern and northeastern part of India. International Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain prevention. 2017; 2(1):187-92.

  • Tsuboi H, Takeuchi K, Watanabe M, Hori R, Kobayashi F. Psychosocial factors related to low back pain among school personnel in Nagoya, Japan. Industrial Health. 2002; 40(3):266-71. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.40.266 PMid:12141375

  • Nurul Izzah Abdul Samad HA, Moin S, Mohd Tamrin SB, Hashim Z. Prevalence of low back pain and its risk factors among school teachers. American Journal of Applied Sciences. 2010; 7(5):6349. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2010.634.639.


Abstract Views: 285

PDF Views: 202




  • Prevalence and Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Pain and Coping Strategies in School Teachers

Abstract Views: 285  |  PDF Views: 202

Authors

Saravanan Murugan
Shree Bharatimaiya College of Optometry and Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395007, Gujarat, India
Prerana Saravanan
Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India
Disha Avaiya
Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India
Ibrahim Bawa
Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India
Charmi Shah
Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India
Ekta Vaghasiya
Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat - 395003, Gujarat, India

Abstract


Introduction: School teachers have high prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders which decrease productivity at work due to sick leave and absenteeism. In India, more traditional methods of teaching are used as compared to other countries, and this difference encouraged us to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, risk factors and coping strategies adopted by teachers. Methods: A self-administered Questionnaire was distributed to 810 particcipants. 567 responses were received out of which 30 questionnaires were incomplete. The self-administered Questionnaire included 31 questions under 5 categories: General Profile, Occupational profile, Health/Musculoskeletal pain profile, Perceived risk factors and Coping Strategies. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, frequency were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of musculoskeletal symptoms with demograpic factors and working conditions. Results: 112 (20.9%) reported having musculoskeletal pain. Low back (48.2%) was commonly affected. 50.9% had chronic pain and 71.4% reported pain interfered with occupational routine. 48.2% reported with sleep disturbances. Commonly percieved factor was standing for prolonged periods (76.8%). Risk factor analysis using logistic regression model on cause of pain showed statistical significance (χ2 (27)=77.169, p<0.005). Females were 3.952 times more likely to exhibit pain than males (OR 3.952, 95% CI 1.694- 9.217). Commonly reported coping strategy was visiting a Physiotherapist (44.6%). While 33% coped up with pain using prescribed analgesics, none of them opted to rest. Despite high prevalence and severity, only 17% had frequented absenteism to work by taking sick leave. Discussion: Prevalence rate of musculoskeletal pain was found to be higher among school teachers as per the results of this present study. Prevalence and risk factor perceptions of school teachers as reported in this study can be of significance in understanding and addressing these factors and appropriate measures to prevent and overcome them can be devised based on these results. Since the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms can be multifactorial in nature, the results of this present study need to be correlated with all possible mechanisms related to this population and further studies to determine the effectiveness of appropriate ergonomic modifications should be taken into consideration.

Keywords


Activities of Daily Living, Coping Strategies, Risk Factors, Teachers, Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18311/jeoh%2F0%2F27604