Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Suburban Drivers in Mazandaran Province, Iran

Background and purpose: In developing countries, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is reported among drivers. However, there are few researches in Iran on this problem among suburban drivers. The present study aimed at investigating the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and its related factors in suburban drivers in Mazandaran province. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive analysis was carried out in 1850 suburban drivers. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the demographic questionnaire were completed for all drivers. Logistic regression analysis was done in SPSS V22 applying Chi-square test. Results: The highest prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the past 12 months was found in neck (16.3%), knees (13.9%), and back and elbow (10.7%). Other factors such as age, work experience, smoking, previous accidents, and marital status showed a significant relationship with pain in various parts of the body (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (especially in neck and knee) among suburban drivers in Mazandaran province. Such disorders could be easily prevented by designing ergonomic seats based on Iranian anthropometric sizes, doing stretch exercises, having sufficient rest, and trainings on correct sitting.