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Al Khoder H, Mohamadi S, Abdollahi I, Karimi N, Zaadeh S H. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Related Risk Factors Among Female School Teachers in Damascus City, Syria. jrehab 2025; 25 (4) :804-823
URL: http://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3448-en.html

Objective Musculoskeletal disorders are among 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. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the related risk factors among female teachers in Damascus City, Syria.
Materials & Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study, 368 female teachers in Damascus were included using cluster sampling. Demographic and quantitative information questionnaires and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire were used to assess musculoskeletal disorders’ prevalence and associated risk factors. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, version 27, with descriptive statistical tests for calculating the 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.
Results 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 the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is mainly associated with age, body mass index (BMI), work experience, number of working hours, and duration of standing and sitting during the day (P<0.05). Thus, the likelihood of developing these disorders increases with higher age, BMI, work experience, longer working hours, and more time spent standing and sitting.
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.