Musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal diseases among nursery school teachers: analysis in a sample in the city of Venice

Objectives. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent one of the most relevant occupational problems. School teachers and particularly nursery school teachers (NST) are reported to have a high prevalence of MSD. We aimed to estimate frequency of MSD in a sample of NST and to bring out cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among these workers. Design. Cross-sectional prevalence study. Setting and participants. NST applying to the trade union patronage between December 2015 and December 2017 for problems of absence from work for health reasons have been proposed the compilation of the Italian version of the Nordic Questionnaire for musculoskeletal disorders. NST who reported MSD underwent medical examination performed by an occupational physician. In accordance with current legislation, certification of occupational disease was completed when a plausible occupational origin of the pathology could be identified. Main outcome measures. MSD and WRMSD prevalence. Results. Questionnaires were completed by 82 NST: 75 (91.5% of the sample) reported at least one MSD. 71 NST underwent medical examination. In 32 subjects (39% of the sample) a diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathology was formulated. Based on work history, 20 cases of probable occupational pathology were reported. Occupational etiology was ascertained for 12 subjects (14.6%): 11 cases of lumbar discopathy / lumbar disc herniation and 1 case of both lumbar disc herniation and tendinopathy of shoulder rotator cuff. Conclusion. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was high and the most frequently affected body sites were similar to those reported in the literature, confirming NST as a group at risk for developing both MSD and WRMSD. Results indicate the importance of taking primary and secondary prevention actions to protect the health of NST.