Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among taxi drivers in Yaoundé, Cameroon: preventive effect of physical activity

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Heavy Vehicle Drivers and Office Workers: A Comparative Analysis Using a Machine Learning Approach

PURPOSE: Job profiles such as heavy vehicle drivers and transportation office workers that involve prolonged static and inappropriate postures and forceful exertions often impact an individual's health, leading to various disorders, most commonly musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). In the present study, various individual risk factors, such as age, weight, height, BMI, sleep patterns, work experience, smoking status, and alcohol intake, were undertaken to see their influence on MSDs. METHODS: The modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire was administered in the present cross-sectional study to collect data from 48 heavy vehicle drivers and 40 transportation office workers. RESULTS: The analysis revealed low back pain (LBP), knee pain (KP), and neck pain (NP) to be the dominant pains suffered by the participants from both occupational groups. LBP, KP, and NP were suffered by 56%, 43.75%, and 39% heavy vehicle drivers and 47.5%, 40%, and 27.5% transport office workers, respectively. From the insignificant value of Chi-square, it can be inferred that the participants from both occupations experience similar levels of LBP, KP, and NP. The Bayesian model applied to the total sample showed that NP influenced KP, which further influenced the LBP of the workers. Age was predicted as LBP's most significant risk factor by the logistic regression model when applied to the total sample, while NP was found to decrease with an increase in per unit sleep. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results concluded that heavy vehicle drivers and office workers, irrespective of their different job profiles, endured pain similarly.

Musculoskeletal disorders among taxi drivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Taxi drivers, as professional drivers, encounter numerous ergonomic risk factors related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) because of the demands of their jobs. This study conducted as a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the prevalence of MSDs among taxi drivers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and its protocol was registered in the international prospective register of systematic review (PROSPERO) under the code CRD42024509258. Searches were carried out using various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, ISC, and Google Scholar, with no time restrictions until February 7th, 2024. A random effects model was utilized for meta-analysis, and the I2 index was employed to assess heterogeneity among studies. Lastly, data analysis was conducted using STATA software (version 14).

RESULTS

After the initial search, 1606 articles were extracted from the reviewed sources. Following screening, study selection, and quality evaluation, a total of 11 studies were chosen for meta-analysis, involving 5277 taxi drivers. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the highest prevalence of MSDs among taxi drivers was related to the lower back region (53.87% (95% CI:40.89-66.84, I2= 98.7%, P < 0.001)). Additionally, the prevalence rates of MSDs in different body regions, such as the neck (38.15%), shoulder (34.97%), upper back (18.30%), and knee (14.10%), were also reported.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of this study, the prevalence of MSDs among taxi drivers is relatively high, and specific risk factors may contribute to the development of these disorders. Therefore, to prevent the occurrence of MSDs among taxi drivers, it is advisable to implement essential measures concerning the development of training programs, ergonomic interventions, and evaluation of the work environment.

Prevalence of low back pain in professional drivers: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-review aimed to investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in professional drivers.

STUDY DESIGN

This study is a meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of LBP in professional drivers up to August 2023. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was utilized for cross-sectional analytical studies. Statistical analysis of the included outcome indicators was conducted using Stata 16.0. The prevalence of LBP among professional drivers was measured using the random effects model, and heterogeneity was evaluated utilizing subgroup analysis. This meta-analysis review was registered with PROSPERO on April 28, 2023, under the registration number CRD42023422205.

RESULTS

In total, 1, 558 results met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 53 studies were included. The meta-analysis results indicated that professional drivers had a LBP prevalence of 35.0%, 95%CI (0.266, 0.433) for one week, 33.80%, 95%CI (0.233, 0.443) for one month, and 55.30%, 95%CI (0.503,0.603) for one year. In the global population of professional drivers, the prevalence of LBP was 56.0%, 95%CI (0.472, 0.648) and 54.5%, 95%CI (0.488, 0.602) without and with a history and high risk of LBP, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

LBP remains prevalent among international drivers and has multiple contributing factors, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and prevention strategies.