Musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic risks in teachers of a federal institution

Abstract

Introduction: Ergonomic risks are a major health hazard for teachers, causing musculoskeletal pain and decreasing both their quality of life and the quality of the education offered to students. Objectives: To evaluate musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic risk factors in the workplace of teachers at the São Bento do Sul Campus of the Instituto Federal Catarinense. Methods: Twenty-five teachers completed sociodemographic and ergonomic risk questionnaires, as well as the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The furniture and equipment at their workstations were also evaluated using a checklist. Results: Seventy two percent of teachers were male, and the mean age of the sample was 37.08±7.14 years. In response to the questionnaires, 72% of participants reported little knowledge of ergonomics and 68% said they did not apply these principles in their daily life. The main ergonomic risks to which teachers were exposed were prolonged sitting and standing, sharp corners on desks, use of laptop touchpads and inadequate monitor height. All teachers reported pain in the past 12 months, with the most frequently affected areas being the low back (60%), neck (56%) and shoulders (48%). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of ergonomic adaptations and changes in the work habits of teachers in order to improve their health and quality of life, while also allowing them to deliver higher-quality education to their students.