Objective: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common and important health problems, especially among the working population, which significantly impacts quality of life and imposes a heavy economic burden on individuals. Among them, school teachers, especially women, are a group that has a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the related risk factors among female teachers in the city of Damascus.
Method: In this descriptive-cross-sectional epidemiological study, 368 female teachers in Damascus were included using cluster sampling. To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the risk factors associated with them, demographic and quantitative information questionnaires and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 software, with descriptive statistical tests for prevalence and analytical tests (independent t-test and regression) for predicting quantitative risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries. A significance level of 0.05 was considered.
Findings: According to the results of this study, the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among female school teachers in the past 12 months was in the lower back (85.7%), followed by the neck (70%), shoulders (62.4%), and wrists (60.2%). The logistic regression model also showed that overall, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is associated with age, body mass index, work experience, number of working hours, and duration of standing and sitting during the day (p<0.05), meaning that with increasing age, body mass index, work experience, longer working hours, and more time spent standing and sitting, the likelihood of developing these disorders increases.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among teachers, who are the educators of future generations, it is recommended that preventive education related to risk factors, as well as timely treatment interventions, ergonomic interventions, and appropriate treatment for all teachers, especially those in older age groups and with more experience, be implemented to prevent and manage these issues.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Physical Therapy Received: 22/01/2024 | Accepted: 21/05/2024 | Published: 28/02/2025
* Corresponding Author Address: university of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences |