Status and factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among teachers of selected schools of Pokhara Metropolitan City Article

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are common and significant health problems affecting muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, bones, and joints. This study aimed to assess the status and associated factors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among school teachers.  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 126 school teachers selected by cluster sampling method, using a standard Nordic questionnaire to collect data. The data collected was entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 25.  The status of MSDs was 71% over the previous 12 months, 63% of work-limiting pain, and 56% over the previous 7 days. Of these, 23% reported neck problems, 36% shoulder problems, 13% elbow problems, 27% wrist and hand problems, 24% upper back problems, 42% lower back problems, 16% hip or thigh problems, 24% knee problems, and 32% ankle or foot problems. The study found that MSDs were significantly associated with sex factors (p= 0.001) and sleep disturbance in school teachers (p=0.027). More than half of the teachers had reported a prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders due to their profession of school teaching. The study revealed that MSDs are significantly associated with sex factors and sleep disturbance.