Study of Pain and Disabilities in Musculoskeletal System among Urban Bus Drivers with Respect to Body Postures, Job Satisfaction, and Individual Factors

Abstract

Background and Objective: Pain and disabilities in the musculoskeletal system can lead to reduced productivity and job turnover. The present study aimed to assess the role of posture, as well as job satisfaction and individual factors, in causing musculoskeletal pain and disabilities among urban bus drivers. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 bus drivers from Hamadan were investigated using a census method. Standardized questionnaires were employed to assess musculoskeletal disorders and job satisfaction. In addition, posture evaluation was conducted using the RULA. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using T-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson correlations. Results: The highest and lowest frequencies of pain in the past year were related to the back (72.3%; n=94) and ankle (3.8%; n=5), respectively. The mean body posture scores for the left and right sides of drivers’ bodies were 5.85±1.14 and 6.06±1.05, respectively. The intensity of pain and disability in the musculoskeletal system had a direct relationship with age, work history, body mass index, and posture score, and an inverse relationship with the mean of sleep hours, exercise, and job satisfaction (P<0.05). Conclusion: Severity of pain and disability in the musculoskeletal system was associated with drivers’ posture score, age, work experience, body mass index, exercise habits, shift work, hours of sleep, and level of job satisfaction. The findings of this study can inform interventions aimed at enhancing the musculoskeletal health of bus drivers.

Keywords

• bus drivers
• job satisfaction
• musculoskeletal disorders
• posture assessment