Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain in preschool teachers and determination of affecting factors

This study aims to identify the ergonomic and psychosocial risks faced by preschool teachers in their work environment and analyze the effects of these risks on the musculoskeletal system. The study population consists of teachers who have been working for at least six months in private or public institutions across Turkey. Using the simple random sampling method, 366 teachers were included in the study. An online questionnaire form prepared by the researchers was used to collect data. This form includes a demographic information section and questions from the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire.The results of the study indicate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) experienced by teachers in different body regions. The most common areas of pain were reported to be the neck, lower back, and upper back. The prevalence of pain in these regions varies by gender and age. The prominence of these areas was attributed to the fact that nerves passing through these regions are connected to the central nervous system.