Prevalence and associate risk factors of upper limb disorders in school teachers in Semnan (Iran)

authors:

avatar Mohammad Ali Mohseni Bandpei ORCID , * , avatar Atefeh Aminiafar , avatar amirHoshang Bakhtiary , avatar Fatemeh Ehsani ORCID

Koomesh: Vol.17, issue 4; 880-887
published online: September 28, 2016
article type: Research Article
received: July 01, 2015
accepted: January 02, 2016

how to cite: Mohseni Bandpei M A, Aminiafar A, Bakhtiary A, Ehsani F. Prevalence and associate risk factors of upper limb disorders in school teachers in Semnan (Iran). koomesh. 2016;17(4):e151180. 

Abstract

Introduction: Upper limb disorder is a common musculoskeletal deficiency in some occupational groups. In spite of its frequency in occupational groups, the study of prevalence and risk factors for upper limb disorder (ULD) in Iranian teachers is limited. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and risk factors for ULD and to investigate the association of individual and occupational characteristics with the prevalence of ULD in school teachers in Semnan. Materials and Methods: This study was performed by a cross-sectional method. Regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 586 teachers were randomly chosen from 22 primary and high schools in Semnan, Iran. Required data including personal and occupational characteristics, pain intensity, health status and the prevalence and risk factors of ULD were collected using different questionnaires. Results: The prevalence rates of ULD at the time of study, last month, last 6 months, annual, and lifetime were 46.4%, 50.2%, 57.3%, 60%, and 62.6%, respectively. The prevalence of waist pain in teachers was more than shoulder and elbow pain. The prevalence of ULD was significantly associated with age, gender, and length of employment (P < 0.05 in all instances). Writing on board in class, working hours with computer, and incorrect posturing during teaching and correcting examination papers were the factors which raised the risk of occurrence of ULD in teachers, respectively (P=0.03). Conclusion: Prevalence of ULD in school teachers in Semnan was high. Factors such as age, gender, length of employment, and work-related activities developed significantly ULD in school teachers

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