Frequency of musculoskeletal complaints of motorboats staffs and its relationship with demographic characteristics

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common diseases and occupational injuries and the main cause of labors’ disability all over the world. Various studies have shown the relationship between whole body vibration and skeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate musculoskeletal complaints among motorboat staff. This descriptive-correlative study was done on 149 of motorboat staff of Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf in 2010. Sampling was carried out based on purposive and convenience sampling methods. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and NMQ (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire) and analyzed by SPSS 16 software using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square and independent T-test. The most complaints were lumbar pain (61.1%) and knee pain (60.4%). There was statistically significant relationship between age, height, weight, total work experience and work experience on motorboats and pain in the lumbar region (p=0.001). There was statistically significant correlation between knee pain and age, total work experience and work experience on motorboats (p=0.03). The most common musculoskeletal complaint of motorboats staff is lumbar region and knee pain. Regarding the high prevalence of lumbar and knee pain among motorboats staff that causes decrease in productivity and performance and increase in treatment costs of early disability, the special attention of relevant authorities is required.