Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain and Its Association With Burnout Syndrome Among School Teachers in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are common occupational health problems among school teachers because of prolonged standing, sustained postures, repetitive classroom activities, and psychosocial workload. Burnout may further contribute to occupational exhaustion and pain-related disability. Objective: To determine the prevalence and anatomical distribution of musculoskeletal pain and examine its association with burnout-related dimensions among school teachers in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 371 school teachers, including 187 males and 184 females. Participants aged 25–50 years with at least one year of teaching experience were recruited from government and private schools. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed using the Nordic Body Map questionnaire, while burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, with descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, and correlation analysis. Results: Back pain was the most common complaint among female teachers (77%), while upper and lower neck pain were most common among male teachers (47% each). Gender was significantly associated with back pain (p<0.001) and upper neck pain (p=0.006). Age was associated with neck, knee, and foot pain, while BMI was associated with knee and foot pain. Workload was associated with occupational exhaustion. Conclusion: School teachers showed a high burden of musculoskeletal pain, particularly female teachers. Ergonomic training, workload management, and early musculoskeletal screening are recommended
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