<strong>Introduction:</strong> School teachers have high prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders which decrease productivity at work due to sick leave and absenteeism. In India, more traditional methods of teaching are used as compared to other countries, and this difference encouraged us to determine prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, risk factors and coping strategies adopted by teachers. <strong>Methods:</strong> A self-administered Questionnaire was distributed to 810 particcipants. 567 responses were received out of which 30 questionnaires were incomplete. The self-administered Questionnaire included 31 questions under 5 categories: General Profile, Occupational profile, Health/Musculoskeletal pain profile, Perceived risk factors and Coping Strategies. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, frequency were calculated for continuous and categorical variables respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association of musculoskeletal symptoms with demograpic factors and working conditions. <strong>Results:</strong> 112 (20.9%) reported having musculoskeletal pain. Low back (48.2%) was commonly affected. 50.9% had chronic pain and 71.4% reported pain interfered with occupational routine. 48.2% reported with sleep disturbances. Commonly percieved factor was standing for prolonged periods (76.8%). Risk factor analysis using logistic regression model on cause of pain showed statistical significance (χ2 (27)=77.169, p<0.005). Females were 3.952 times more likely to exhibit pain than males (OR 3.952, 95% CI 1.694- 9.217). Commonly reported coping strategy was visiting a Physiotherapist (44.6%). While 33% coped up with pain using prescribed analgesics, none of them opted to rest. Despite high prevalence and severity, only 17% had frequented absenteism to work by taking sick leave.<strong> Discussion:</strong> Prevalence rate of musculoskeletal pain was found to be higher among school teachers as per the results of this present study. Prevalence and risk factor perceptions of school teachers as reported in this study can be of significance in understanding and addressing these factors and appropriate measures to prevent and overcome them can be devised based on these results. Since the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms can be multifactorial in nature, the results of this present study need to be correlated with all possible mechanisms related to this population and further studies to determine the effectiveness of appropriate ergonomic modifications should be taken into consideration.
Background: Physiotherapists, despite having good knowledge of work related musculoskeletal disorders, are not immune to it. As literature related to these injuries in Physiotherapy profession in India is scarce, this study aims to investigate prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder, job risk factors commonly involved and coping strategies used among Physiotherapist in India. Methods: A semi structured questionnaire adopted from questionnaires used for similar studies around the world was circulated to 314 Physiotherapists. A total of 271 questionnaires were received back with a response rate of 86%. Mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage and chi square test were used as appropriate for data analysis. Results: Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders was found to be 62.73%. Lower back region was affected the most (65.3%) followed by neck (41.8%) and shoulder (26.5%). As per response of therapists in this study, the most common risk factors were: working in static positions for longer periods (77%), treating large number of patients in single day (68.2%) and bending and twisting back in awkward positions (65.8%).Common coping strategies adopted by respondents were: modifying positions of patient and self (54.1%), adjusting height of treatment surface (47.1%) and selection of techniques that does not aggravate or provoke discomfort (41.8%). Conclusion: This study has identified the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders among Physiotherapists in India and possible risk factors associated with this profession. It has also identified the common coping strategies utilized by therapists. These findings would be significant in modifying risk factors to prevent and/or minimize work related musculoskeletal disorders among physiotherapists.
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