International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Impact Factor (2012): 3.358 Volume 3 Issue 6, June 2014 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder on Various Body Segments in Taxi Drivers Saumya Srivastava 1 , U.V. Kiran 2 1 Student, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School of Home Science, Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (A Central University) Lucknow in India 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School of Home Science, Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (A Central University) Lucknow in India Abstract: Introduction: Pain discomfort and loss of function in back, neck and extremities are common among taxi drivers. Work – related musculoskeletal disorders affect almost all parts of the body especially the back, neck lower and upper limbs depending upon the physical movement characteristics, and the ergonomics and mechanical design of work task. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder on various body segments. Setting and Participants: 120 drivers were selected for the study who have a driving experience of above 8 hours per day, in urban areas of the Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh. Methodology: The time taken from the study was one year that is July2013 to may 2014. In the present study, exploratory cum causal research design was used to obtain and analyze the data. For selection of the respondents’ snow ball sampling technique was adopted. Self made checklist was used to investigate the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder on various body segments such as head and neck area, upper extremity link system, thoracic extremity link system and lower extremity link system. Statistical Analysis: SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical processing. The levels of musculoskeletal pain in different body segments were also calculated with the help of ANOVA. Results and Discussion : The findings of ANOVA test revealed a highly significant difference between the works related musculoskeletal disorder on various body segments in taxi drivers. Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that the work of drivers is highly stressful. Many factors make taxi drivers distinct from other professions in terms of exposure to risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. They have to work in highly uncomfortable conditions like long length of driving, poor design of work place area etc. Keywords: Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder, body segments, taxi driver, and length of driving. 1. Introduction Many factors make taxi drivers distinct from other professions in terms of exposure to risk of work-related low back disorders. First is the time factor; previous studies reported that taxi drivers spent longer time in driving than other professions [10]. The design of automobile seat can affect the posture of drivers and posture in turn also can influence both comfort and physical conditions of a driver [1][2][3]. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) and other postural damage may result in physiological illness that may develop over a long period due to prolonged mechanical stresses imposed on the musculoskeletal system [4]. Musculoskeletal pain comprises a major health problem for the general population, affecting their quality of life, demanding increased health care and organization [6]. It has been suggested that people have varying perceptions about their musculoskeletal problem and perceptions about illness may influence health outcomes such as pain and disability directly or indirectly by their effect on coping. [5] If a person considers that musculoskeletal problem is a serious disease that medical care or the health services can do little about, this belief may have an impact on the level of interference in daily life from that disease that the person reports and on their decision to consult or seek treatment for it [5]. This reveals that perceptions may be an important issue to address as part of reducing the impact of disease and encouraging appropriate management. After headaches and tiredness, back pain is the third most common health problem reported by individuals [7]. The exact cause of increased prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in populations of professional car drivers is often uncertain. The most frequently reported risk factor for LBP is heavy physical workload such as lifting, awkward posture, and whole body vibration. [8-9] 2. Objectives Keeping in view the significance of the problems, the present study was taken up to investigate the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder on various body segments and assessment of the same in relation to their working hours per day (length of driving per day) 3. Materials and Methods  Study design: Exploratory cum causal research design  Sampling technique: For selection of the respondents, snow ball sampling technique was adopted. A random sample of 120 were taken after giving due consideration to inclusive & exclusive criteria. The data was collected by General assessment form and general questionnaires. Self made checklist was used to investigate the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder on various body segments such as head and neck area, upper extremity link system, thoracic extremity link system and lower extremity link system.  Statistical analysis: SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical processing. The levels of musculoskeletal pain in different body segments were also calculated with the help of frequency percentage, mean, standard deviation and ANOVA. Paper ID: 02014252 610