Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among United Arab Emirates schoolteachers: an examination of physical activity

Abstract

Objective To estimate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their association with physical activity among schoolteachers in the United Arab Emirates. Methods This observational cross-sectional study involved 209 schoolteachers (aged 20–60) with a minimum of two years of experience. Data, including demographics (gender, age), Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) for WMSD prevalence and pain sites, and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for physical activity levels, were collected. Six schools were visited for data collection, with consent from school heads and participants. Schedules were tailored to participant availability, allowing up to three attempts for participation. Non-respondents were identified after three unsuccessful attempts. Results Of the total 206 participants, 149 were female, while the remaining 57 were male. Age distribution analysis revealed that 18% of individuals were within the 20 to 30 years range, 26.2% fell within the 30 to 40 years, and 36.9% had 40 to 50 years age brackets. The responses were obtained in Arabic (90%) and English (10%). The study identified a high prevalence (71.4%) of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in UAE schoolteachers, with neck pain being the most common (74.3%). Major risk factors included age, workload, and low physical activity. The data was normally distributed, and Pearson’s Correlation test revealed weak positive correlation (r: 0.14), but statistically significant (p value = 0.04) between WMSD and PA, indicating that it was a contributing factor but other factors beyond PA influenced WMSD prevalence in this cohort. The findings of the study are based on certain limitations such as cross-sectional design and convenient sampling which could have potential selection bias and affect generalizability of the results. Conclusion Findings suggest the need to promote physical activity and reduce workload for teachers, considering their age and gender. Additionally, there is a need to raise awareness regarding ergonomics and the importance of taking short breaks for stretching or physical movement to enhance the overall well-being of schoolteachers in the UAE and similar contexts. Diverse prevalence rates across different body areas underscore the necessity for individualized treatments.