Abstract:Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is usually work related and it is a common phenomenon among several occupations.This study aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of work related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) among drivers at a Nigerian tertiary institution. An adapted Nordic musculoskeletal pain questionnaire (NMSPQ,) was distributed to all the professional drivers who were staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The response rate was 90.9%. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that 77% of the professional drivers (PDs) reported WRMSP once or more in their routine duties. Low back (50.5%) was the most frequently sited location of WRMSP while shoulder (35%), knees (30.9%), neck (26.8%), ankle (26%), elbow; and hip (22.7%) were other regions. Prolonged driving was reported to be a major cause of musculoskeletal pain (61.2%). There was significant relationship between musculoskeletal pain intensity and duration of driving per week (r=0.348, p<0.05) and absenteeism from work (r=0.356, p<0.05). The study concluded that MSP was prevalent among drivers at the selected institution and low back was the most predisposed site.

Background: Automobile technicians in resource-limited countries depend more on manual than mechanized approach in their work, and as such, may be at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain (LBP). This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and health care service utilization for LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians.Methods: A total of 240 members of the National Association of Automobile Technicians responded in this survey. A previously validated instrument on prevalence, risk factors and health-care-service utilization for LBP was adapted in this study. Data was analysed using descriptive and interferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.Results: Twelve-month and point prevalence of LBP were 79.2% and 75%. On-going LBP was associated with work-related poor posture (46.7%), trauma (13.9%) and lifting of loads (11.7%).LBP mostly led to absenteeism from work (46.8%) and consultation with health practitioners (73.7%). 40% of respondents agreed to have incurred about N1000-N5000 as treatment cost, and 38.7% of the respondents lost about N5000-N10000 as estimated cost in terms of lost hours. Type of automobile activity engaged in (p = 0.483), frequent bending (p = 0.217), lifting objects weighing up to 5 kg (p = 0.071) or up to 25 kg (p = 0.719) and sustained sitting (p = 0.349) or standing (p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP.In the bivariate analysis, age (χ 2 = 3.298, P = 0.192), marital status (χ 2 = 0.098, P = 0.754), type of automobile repairs engaged in (χ 2 = 0.493, P = 0.483), lifting objects up to 5 kg (χ 2 = 3.269, p = 0.071), lifting objects up to 25 kg (χ 2 = 0.130, p = 0.719), sustained sitting (χ 2 = 0.840, p = 0.349), and sustained standing (χ 2 = 0.002, p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP. Level of education (χ 2 = 6.121, p = 0.047) was, however, associated with LBP prevalence, although this association was not sustained following logistic regression. Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians, and it results in work absenteeism, economic burden and increased need to seek health care.

Prevalence of low back pain among Muslims and Christians have been reported separately in literature, but not compared in Nigeria.

The study investigated the perception of causes and the coping strategies employed by the patients with non-specific chronic neck pain