PURPOSE: Due to the concern with the health and working conditions of teachers in the urban area of Pelotas, RS, the purpose of this study is to verify the prevalence of ostheomuscular symptoms in public and private elementary school teachers. The sample was composed by 320 teachers in six schools. METHOD: For accomplishment of the research, a social-demographic questionnaire, a check-list for ergonomic evaluation, and the Nordic questionnaire were applied in order to evaluate the ostheomuscular symptoms. For analysis of the data the SPSS 10.0 program was used. RESULTS: 89,7% of the participants referred some symptom in the last 12 months. The most affected areas were: spine 54,1% (173), neck 50,9% (163) lumbar column 49,1% (157). The symptoms disabled 36,6% of the teachers hindering them from working properly. It was also observed that the ergonomic condition of the work place was considered unsatisfactory by the teachers. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the prevalence of ostheomuscular symptoms among teachers is high, and that the ergonomic conditions are considered inappropriate which could interfere directly in their health.
Teachers; Musculoskeletal system; Ergonomics; Occupational health; Physio therapy
