Musculoskeletal problems in academicians and related factors in Turkey

Abstract

Musculoskeletal problems are a common health problem with professional and ergonomic features. This study's purpose was to investigate the musculoskeletal problems distribution and related factors among academicians. This study was performed by using a personal and professional information questionnaire, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. The study was completed with 142 academicians (89 female, 53 male). Mean age was 39.91 ± 8.90 years, physical activity level was 1067.31 ± 1866.95 MET-minute/week, and work time was 13.73 ± 9.15 years. Neck and lower back pain were mostly seen in academicians and their incidence was equal (63.4%). The most experienced pain the previous year was neck pain (39.4%), and upper back pain is the most experienced pain today (19%). The body part that mostly caused the use of medication is neck pain (23%), and mostly caused limitation and sick-leave was low back in the past 12 months (respectively 19.7% and 9.2%). Gender, body mass index, weekly workload, physical activity level, and marital status have been determined to have an effect on musculoskeletal problems in academicians (p< 0.05). The most common musculoskeletal problems reported by academicians were in the upper back and neck regions, which have low level physical activity.