Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and its relation to depression among workers in kindergarten

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Working in a closed environment for more than 7-8 hours can affect both psychological and physical health among kindergarten workers.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and depression as well as the correlation between them, if any, among kindergarten workers.

METHODS:

In a cross-sectional observation, one hundred and five healthy female staff members (age: 34.27±7.01 year, working duration: 7.42±0.81 hr/d, BMI: 24.50±2.61 kg/m² (mean±SD)), who have had at least one year of working experience, were selected randomly from 10 kindergartens. The subjects completed both the Cornell musculoskeletal and Patient Health (PHQ-9) questionnaires to enable the assessments of MSD and depression scores accordingly. The correlation between both questionnaires was then measured to find any links. To assess the reliability of Farsi-language versions of the Cornell questionnaire and PHQ-9, the Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) was measured through test-retest with 1-week delay and the prevalence of MSD and depression were subsequently assessed as well.

RESULTS:

The Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) illustrated that the Farsi version of MSD instruments showed high levels of repeatability. The ICC coefficient was (0.932–0.987, p < 0.001) for the Cornell questionnaire and the Cronbach alpha for PHQ-9 questionnaire was 0.861. The highest severity of pain was related to lower back (30.5%), and after it, neck (27.6%), right shoulder (27.6%) and left shoulder (25.7%) pain, respectively. The results of PHQ-9 questionnaire indicated that 41.9% (n = 44) of subjects had a severe depression. There was a significant (r = 0.338, p < 0.01) relation between depression and MSD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Prevalence of depression and severity of physical pain was an issue among staff in kindergartens. More study will be needed to define all aspects of this issue.