Pattern and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Pain among Secondary School Teachers in Kano Metropolis

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a painful disorder affecting muscles, tendons and nerves caused by activities which are frequent and repetitive or activities associated with awkward postures. Data on MSP among teachers in Nigeria are not available. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern and risk factors of MSP among secondary school teachers in Kano metropolis.

A total of 100 participants were recruited using cluster sampling technique in a cross sectional survey. The data was obtained using Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of chi-square. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

This study comprised of 61% males and 39% females between the ages of 18–60 years, 72% of them between 26–35 years (mean age=33±0.55). The findings showed that in the last 12 months, neck pain (51%) was the most common MSP and in the last 7 days, LBP and hips/thigh/buttocks had the largest percentages at 31% each. Also, LBP prevented (30%) from ADL. Factors associated with MSP include hours/day of working, years of experience and working posture with age having no association.

Musculoskeletal pain is common among secondary school teachers in Kano metropolis. Neck, low back and shoulder pain were the commonest. Increasing years of service, working hours and working posture were all major risk factors.