Self-Reported Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Bus Drivers in the Taipei Metropolitan Area

Yi-Lang Chen (), Hans Alexander and Yi-Ming Hu
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Yi-Lang Chen: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
Hans Alexander: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan
Yi-Ming Hu: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei 24301, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-14

Abstract: Bus driving is considered a highly stressful and unhealthy occupation, even among sedentary jobs, because of the particular task characteristics. This study used the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) to interview bus drivers and determine the risk factors for musculoskeletal discomfort. The NMQ was distributed to 152 bus drivers in the Taipei metropolitan area (Taiwan) and the valid data of 145 respondents were analyzed. The survey revealed that the overall prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms in any body part during the preceding year was 78.3%, and the body parts for which with the prevalence of discomfort was highest were the neck (46.9%), right shoulder (40.0%), lower back (37.2%), and left shoulder (33.8%). Stress and an uncomfortable seat may contribute to neck, shoulder, and lower back discomfort. Stretching between trips may help to reduce neck and shoulder discomfort. When comparing our results with those of similar studies, we discovered that the prevalence of symptoms and detailed risk factors vary by country and region. On this basis, we believe that local investigations emphasizing specific task arrangements and characteristics are needed to address the problem of musculoskeletal disorders in bus drivers.

Keywords: logistic regression; musculoskeletal disorder symptoms; Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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