Impact of Health Education Program on Musculo Skeletal Problems among School Teachers in Rural Areas

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are becoming serious health problems with prevalence in school teachers higher from rural areas. It affects the functional capacity and productivity at work leading to more absenteeism, sick leaves and early retirement . Rural teachers have less resources to overcome these problems and reduce WRMSDs.  Hence the aims of this study were 1) to assess WRMSDs rate 2) to assess knowledge and attitude regarding WRMSD 3) to study the impact of health education program among this target group.

Method and Materials:

In this experimental study, 62 teachers participated.  Pre validated questionnaire regarding knowledge and attitude about WRMSDs was administered. The rate of WRMSDs was assessed and then the session on health education related to same was given to them through  online manner once/week and asked them to follow instruction for the entire week. Knowledge, attitude and pain were assessed pre and post health education training  and follow up was taken after 4 weeks of training sessions completion.

The rate of WRMSDs among rural school teachers was 64.52%  (95% CI = %51.34– %76.26). Low Back Pain (LBP) and all body pain was found in the majority of the teachers followed by knee and neck pain. After 4 weeks, pain intensity was significantly reduced from 64.5% (CI - 51% to 76%) to 51.6% after 4 weeks of intervention. It was further reduced to 33.9 % in the follow-up period. Score for knowledge and attitude was also improved significantly after 4 weeks but attitude changed after one month follow-up.

This study showed that health education and ergonomic interventional program could reduce pain, improve knowledge and change attitude of school teachers in rural areas. Whereas long duration programs with frequent feedbacks are needed to change attitude in long term.