Prevalence of neck pain among the highway bus drivers

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the prevalence of neck pain among the highway bus drivers. Objectives: To find out the percentage of participants experiences neck pain among the bus drivers; to identify the possible causes of development of neck pain; to measure the pain intensity of bus drivers, to investigate the pain worsening posture during bus driving; to see the impact or absenteeism of bus driving due to pain; to explore the consequence of treatment after neck pain. Methodology: Cross sectional study design was selected. Total 75 samples were selected by convenience sampling from Gabtoly, Syedabad and Kollanpur bus terminals, Dhaka. Data was collected by mixed type questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and the results were showed in pie chart and bar chart. Results: The Prevalence of neck pain was 74.7% among the bus drivers. 27% participants experienced neck pain 4 out of 10 of VAS scale and 2% participants experienced pain 1 out of 10 in VAS scale. 66.1% participants said forward flexion resulted worse the pain. 73.2% participants experience hampered bus driving due to pain. 28.6% participants stopped bus driving due to neck pain. 23.2% participants received medication, 17.9% participants received Physiotherapy and 58.9% of the participants did not receive any treatment from health professionals. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the prevalence of neck pain was 74.7% among the highway bus drivers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. And this may be associated with the posture and interior design of the driver seat.