Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its association with inadequate school furniture

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Inadequate school furniture is a factor contributing to musculoskeletal pain onset in students. This study aimed at estimating the adequacy of school desks and chairs with regard to students' anthropometric characteristics and its possible association with musculoskeletal pain in different parts of the body. METHODS: A survey was carried out with 625 students and the furniture of 69 classrooms. The simplified Nordic Questionnaire for Analysis of Osteomuscular Symptoms was used for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms, and parameters recommended by standard NBR 14006 (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) were used to analyze furniture. RESULTS: This study has shown that 87.2% of chairs and 45.6% of desks were totally inadequate. There has been significant association between inadequate desks and neck/cervical (12.6%; p=0.05) and dorsal (15.1%; p=0.00) musculoskeletal pain. Similar result was found with regard to inadequate chairs (neck/cervical: 17.5%; p=0.02; dorsal: 23.8%; p=0.00). CONCLUSION:The high levels of inadequate school chairs and desks demand a review of these items of furniture which are used by students for long periods of time every day. It is recommended that public authorities be informed of this situation and request that school furniture be urgently brought into line with prevailing legislation. Our results stress the need for futher care to be taken with regard to school students' health. Keywords: Adolescent, Back pain, Children, Pain, School health. Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its association with inadequate school furniture* Prevalência de dor musculoesquelética e sua associação com a inadequação do mobiliário escolar RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS:A inadequação do mobiliário escolar é um fator que contribui para o surgimento de dor musculoesquelética em estudantes. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a adequação das mesas e cadeiras escolares em comparação com características antropométricas dos alunos e sua possível associação com dor musculoesquelética em diferentes regiões do corpo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um levantamento de 625 alunos do ensino e mobiliário em 69 salas de aula. Utilizou-se o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares simplificado para análise de sintomas musculoesqueléticos, e para análise do mobiliário escolar utilizou-se os parâmetros recomendados pela norma NBR 14006 (Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas). RESULTADOS: Esta análise mostrou que 87,2% das cadeiras e 45,6% de mesas eram totalmente inadequadas. Foi encontrada associação significativa entre mesas inadequadas e dor musculoesquelética no pescoço/região cervical (12,6%; p=0,05) e na região dorsal (15,1%; p=0,00). Resultado semelhante foi encontrado em relação à inadequação das cadeiras (pescoço/região cervical: 17,5%; p=0,02; região dorsal: 23,8%; p=0,00). CONCLUSÃO: Os altos níveis de mesas e cadeiras escolares inadequadas exigem uma revisão desses itens de mobiliário que são usados por alunos por longos períodos todos os dias. Recomenda...

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