Study of Pain and Disabilities in Musculoskeletal System among Urban Bus Drivers with respect to Body Postures, Job Satisfaction, and Individuals Factors

Abstract

Background and Objective: Pain and disabilities in the musculoskeletal system can lead to reduced productivity and job turnover. This research aims to study the role of posture, as well as individual and organizational factors, in causing musculoskeletal pain and disabilities among urban bus drivers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 bus drivers from Hamadan city were investigated using a census method. Standardized questionnaires were employed to assess musculoskeletal disorders and job satisfaction. Additionally, posture evaluation was conducted using the RULA. Finally, common statistical methods were applied in SPSS version 24 for data analysis. Results: The highest and lowest frequencies of pain in the past year were related to the back (94 people, equal to 72.3%) and ankle (5 people, equal to 3.8%), respectively. The average body posture score for the left and right sides of the drivers’ bodies was 5.85±1.14 and 6.06±1.05, respectively. The intensity of pain and disability in the musculoskeletal system had a direct relationship with age, work history, body mass index, and posture score, and an inverse relationship with the average number of hours of sleep. Additionally, the type of work shift and job satisfaction were directly related to pain and disability. Conclusions: severity of pain and disability in the musculoskeletal system was associated with the drivers’ posture score, age, work experience, body mass index, exercise habits, shift work, hours of sleep, and level of job satisfaction. The findings from this study can inform interventions aimed at enhancing the musculoskeletal health of bus drivers.