Prevalence and determinants of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among teachers in Nugegoda educational division in Sri Lanka

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Objectives: To demine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, associated factors and preventive measures practiced by teachers in Nugegoda education division. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 247 teachers working in Nugegoda education division. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to ascertain the data related to work characteristics and musculoskeletal symptoms and preventive measures of teachers. Data analysis was carried out using the SPSS statistical package (version 16). Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to determine the proportions of MSP and their associations with work related variables. Results: Response rate was 63.1% and majority (95.5%) of respondents were females. Prevalence of knee pain was 51.2% followed by pain in ankles (42.1%) and neck (34.7%) during the past twelve months. Age was significantly associated with shoulder pain (OR=1.93,95% Cl; 1.02-3.67) and knee pain (OR=1.91,95% Cl; 1.08-3.38). Number of students in the class was significantly associated with knee pain (OR=2.04, 95% Cl; 1.13-3.67) and ankles pain(OR=2.38, 95% Cl; 1.33-4.26) respectively. Further, work experience was significantly associated with knee pain (OR= 2.07, 95% Cl; 1.21-3.53). Being a parent with three or more children was significantly associated with knee pain (OR=2.28,95% Cl; 1.01-5.13). Less than half (44.2%) of the respondents had sought medical advices for . their pain symptoms. About 40.1 % of teachers had managed their pains with home remediesConclusions: Knee pain was the predominant pain symptom among teacher. Years of experience, having three or more children, number of students in the class room, were other determinants of pain symptoms.