Assessment of work related musculoskeletal pain among professional drivers in the service of a tertiary institution

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is usually work related and it is a common phenomenon among several occupations. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of work related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) among drivers at a Nigerian tertiary institution. An adapted Nordic musculoskeletal pain questionnaire (NMSPQ,) was distributed to all the professional drivers who were staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The response rate was 90.9%. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that 77% of the professional drivers (PDs) reported WRMSP once or more in their routine duties. Low back (50.5%) was the most frequently sited location of WRMSP while shoulder (35%), knees (30.9%), neck (26.8%), ankle (26%), elbow; and hip (22.7%) were other regions. Prolonged driving was reported to be a major cause of musculoskeletal pain (61.2%). There was significant relationship between musculoskeletal pain intensity and duration of driving per week (r=0.348, p<0.05) and absenteeism from work (r=0.356, p<0.05). The study concluded that MSP was prevalent among drivers at the selected institution and low back was the most predisposed site.