The Effect of Different Classroom Chairs on the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Problems and the Rate of Student's Satisfaction

Chairs are one of the instruments in life that have a significant role in personal health. Therefore, anthropometric dimensions as well as ergonomic issues of the users should be considered in design of seats. The present study was performed to determine the impact of class seats on student's musculoskeletal problems and satisfaction. In this cross - sectional study, three different types of classroom seats in Birjand University of Medical Sciences were evaluated through using an ergonomics checklist. In addition, 316 students of the university were asked to complete the musculoskeletal problems and satisfaction questionnaires. Data were analyzed through SPSS 15 and using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests as well as Spearman's correlation coefficient. The participating students included 122 boys and 194 girls. In whole, 21.5 % of the studied students had at least one musculoskeletal discomfort. Back discomfort was the most common complaint. Students’ satisfaction rate of different types of chairs was different (P<0.0001) and satisfaction showed significant correlations with age, weight and height of participants (P=0.002, P=0.024, P=0.025, respectively). The results of the present study show the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among the students and shortness of comfort during use of the chairs. Since these can adversely affect health, in designing classroom chairs the students’ anthropometric dimensions should be considered.