Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated disability among professional bus drivers: a cross-sectional study

Purpose Professional bus drivers risk developing musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and disability due to their working condition. The current study investigates the prevalence rate of MSP and disability among professional bus drivers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 83 professional bus drivers. The prevalence rate of MSP was evaluated using a standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. The disabilities due to the MSP were evaluated using neck disability index (NDI), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) tools. Prevalence of MSP was presented with 95% of confidence interval (CI) at an alpha level of 0.05. The 12 months and 7 days prevalence of MSP were tabulated for analysing the trend of MSP between the upper and lower body regions. Results The drivers had a mean driving experience of 10.07 +/- 7.26 years. The mean driving hours/week were 50.25 +/- 12.82 h. Neck and back were the most affected regions with a prevalence rate of 81.9% (N = 68) and 80.7% (N = 67) at 12 months. Back region recorded the highest 7 days prevalence rate for MSP with 53% (N = 44). Approximately one fourth of the bus drivers population (23.9%, N = 16) had moderate disability in back region. More than half with MSP in the neck region presented mild disability (54.4%, N = 37). Conclusion The bus drivers reported a high prevalence rate of MSP in the neck, back and shoulder regions with mild to moderate disabilities. Appropriate health care and rehabilitation programs are necessary for the prevention and management of MSP among the bus drivers.