Affiliations: [a] Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Health Science Faculty, Balkan Campus, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey | [b] Physical Therapy Department, Kozaklı College of Vocational Health Services, Nevşehir University, Kozaklı, Nevşehir, Turkey | [c] Physical Therapy Department, Health Science Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey | [d] Department of Biostatistics, Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey | [e] Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Florence Nightingale Nursing Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Sevgi Özdinç, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Health Science Faculty, Balkan Campus, Trakya University, Edirne 22030, Turkey. Tel.: + 90 5446343969; E-mail: sevgiozdinc@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Musculoskeletal problems are a common health problem with professional and ergonomic features. This study’s purpose was to investigate the musculoskeletal problems distribution and related factors among academicians. METHODS: This study was performed by using a personal and professional information questionnaire, the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. RESULTS: The study was completed with 142 academicians (89 female, 53 male). Mean age was 39.91 ± 8.90 years, physical activity level was 1067.31 ± 1866.95 MET-minute/week, and work time was 13.73 ± 9.15 years. Neck and lower back pain were mostly seen in academicians and their incidence was equal (63.4%). The most experienced pain the previous year was neck pain (39.4%), and upper back pain is the most experienced pain today (19%). The body part that mostly caused the use of medication is neck pain (23%), and mostly caused limitation and sick-leave was low back in the past 12 months (respectively 19.7% and 9.2%). Gender, body mass index, weekly workload, physical activity level, and marital status have been determined to have an effect on musculoskeletal problems in academicians (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The most common musculoskeletal problems reported by academicians were in the upper back and neck regions, which have low level physical activity.
