title: Are there work-related musculoskeletal problems among teachers in Samsun, Turkey?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) and depression and the quality of life (QOL) among teachers in Samsun, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 605~participants 99.30% (n=602) completed the survey. A face-to-face questionnaire was given to the participiants in order to evaluate the QOL (Short Form 36, SF-36), the presence of depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI) and the presence of pain (Visual Analogue Scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the participants (n=602), 290 were women (48%) and 312 were men (52%). Three hundred sixty three (60.3%) of the participants reported that they had work-related pain. Most of the participants had WRMSP in low back (74.9%), shoulder (55.9%), neck (47.9%), back (42.7%), knee (30.9%) regions. There was a significant difference for BDI and the subscales of SF-36 test, except the emotional role limitation, mental health and energy between the participiants with WRMSP (Group 1) and the participiants without WRMSP (Group 2). BDI scores were significantly higher in the Group 1. The subscale scores of SF-36 were significantly lower in the Group 1. There was a negative correlation between SF-36 and BDI scores; indicating that teachers who have more depressive symptoms have also a lower QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pain in neck, shoulder, back and low back regions are frequently seen in teachers. Depression is common and its presence reduces the QOL of teachers. Modifications of ergonomics in working conditions may reduce the frequency of these complications. The habit of carrying heavy loads, awkward back postures, longterm repetitive physical activities, psychosocial stressors and longterm standing must be reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey. drdilekdurmus@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Durmus
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ilhanli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006804:Ergonomics; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology