Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common occupational health hazards and serious health concerns among teachers. About 39% to 95% of teachers suffer from musculoskeletal pain that can lead to a decline in their performance, frequent sick leaves and early retirement, and can have a negative impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for MSDs among secondary schoolteachers in Hail, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an electronic survey. A self-reported and validated Arabic version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used. Participants were recruited randomly through a two-stage sampling technique. A total of 251 respondents (57.8% males and 42.2% females) returned the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 87.3%. Female teachers (95.3%) suffered more than their male counterparts (81.4%). The most common site was the lower back (62.55%), followed by the shoulders (53.39%) and knees (41.04%). Most of the participants (72.7%) reported MSDs in multiple sites. Binomial logistic regression predicted that smoking is a significant risk factor for lower back disorders (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of MSDs can be due to a substantial lack of awareness and practice of ergonomics, which warrant the development of preventive strategies and educational programs.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries affecting the muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, bones and joints [1,2]
MSDs are recognised as one of the most common occupational health hazards in the working environment negatively affecting the quality of life of working professionals [3]
We aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs in secondary schoolteachers in Hail, Saudi Arabia
Summary
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries affecting the muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, bones and joints [1,2]. MSDs are recognised as one of the most common occupational health hazards in the working environment negatively affecting the quality of life of working professionals [3]. Work is an essential part in the life of every individual [4,5]. MSDs have become a health hazard caused either by the work itself or by the teaching environment [8]. Epidemiological studies predict that almost 39% to 95% of adults in the teaching profession are affected by musculoskeletal pain during their professional careers [6,9,10]
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