Factors associated with teachers' osteomuscular symptom prevalence

OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence of osteomuscular symptoms in public school teachers in Natal, Brazil, and verifying the existence of an association between socioeconomic, occupational and health variables and the presence of these symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of a sample of 242 public elementary school teachers. The Nordic questionnaire was used for assessing osteomuscular symptoms. Statistical analysis initially involved descriptive procedures and the chi-square test; 5% significance level multivariate logistical regression analysis was used during a second stage. RESULTS: Symptom prevalence amongst the subjects investigated during the last 12 months was 93%. A statistically significant association was found between being female (p=0.021) and engaging in inadequate physical activity (p=0.037) and the presence of osteomuscular symptoms. CONCLUSION: The symptoms revealed in this group may be compromising this group of workers' quality of life and health status