Incidence of work-related low back pain among selected public school teachers in Metro Manila

Date of Completion

1990

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Low Back Pain, Teachers, Occupational Diseases

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine the incidence of work-related low back pain among the public school teachers, to determine the possible risk factors that can contribute to the development of low back pain and study the extent or degree of pain affectation among the said groups. The study conducted at the Medical Research Building of De La Salle University. Six elementary schools in different parts of Metro Manila selected as sites of the study. In this descriptive study, the authors have attempted to show the incidence and distribution of the said musculoskeletal disorder in a specific population. It found that the incidence of work-related low back pain in the studied population was 281 (61.9%). As to the distribution of the syndrome in the affected population according to their characteristics and the possible risk factors, it showed that there were 404 female respondents included in the study. While 267 (66.1%) claimed to have had work-related low back pain, the same goes for the male sex. Although there were only 29 (6.6%) of them, 14 reported pain. The 41-45 age bracket had the most number of public school teachers and 38 (13.4%) of them claimed to have had low back pain. The age group 36-40 had the most number of teachers as far as the initial onset of low back pain concerned. Among the 341 public school teachers who were married, 240 had low back pain and out of the 92 single teachers, 41 claimed to have had the syndrome during the practice of their profession. Out of the 281 schoolteachers who suffered back pain, there was 211 assumed standing position while teaching only suffered back pain. Only 97 teachers of the 433 did daily back flexibility exercises, 176 did nothing while 160 did exercise irregularly. Findings revealed that 190 of 281 injured teachers rarely engaged in lifting heavy objects. There were 165 teachers while performing their duties did bending and twisting. Different types of chairs used in the school, 229 (52.9) used high back chairs. The emotional state of the teachers considered in this study. Data showed that there was a correlation between emotional stress and the frequency of low back pain. Besides, longer hours of work aggravated the condition. The results obtained have important implications for public school teachers in terms of reducing the risk of having low back pain while practicing or performing duties in their profession. Comparing the results of this study with results from other professional groups studied, the percentage of the subjects afflicted with low back pain and the possible factors, which contributed to the development of the said syndrome, were not that big as far as the margin was concerned. It found in the study that a high number of public school teachers developed low back pain. While the authors cannot conclude that the personal characteristics and the possible risk factors identified in the study may in one way or another contributed or caused low back pain, it provokes one to consider the findings presented in this study.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS