Prevalence, Pattern of Musculoskeletal pain disorders and related factors among female school teachers

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain disorders and related factors among female school teachers of Peshawar. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from February 2019 to July 2019 among primary and secondary female school teachers (n=289) in Peshawar. Data was collected from using semi-structured questionnaire. Outcome measures were based on modified version of Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Descriptive statistics was used to summarize qualitative variables in the form of frequencies and percentages. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables. Chi-square test was used to find association. The significant P value was <0.05. Results: Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain disorders was 82.7%. The overall mean age of sample was 37.5 +/- 8.47. Most common sites of pain were low back 60.2% followed by neck pain 50.2%, ankle pain 48.4% and shoulder pain 44.3%. Factors that showed significant relationship were long time standing (p=0.001), long time sitting (p=0.039), checking copy/paper marking (p value 0.023) and uncomfortable work chair/table (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Female school teachers showed high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain disorders, low back was the most common site for pain followed by ankle and shoulder. Risk factors associated with pain were long time standing, long time sitting, checking copy/paper marking and uncomfortable work chair/table.