Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Some Related Risk Factors among City Bus Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Central India.

Background: City bus drivers are more prone to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) due to the nature of their work, yet city bus drivers are the least studied population. The present study aims to assess WRMSDs in city bus drivers and to determine some factors related to them. Methods and Materials: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among bus drivers belonging to three bus depots of the city bus service. A simple random sampling was done to select the estimated sample size of 383 bus drivers. Data were collected by interview method using a self-designed questionnaire. The musculoskeletal disorders were assessed using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using Stata 17. Results: More than half of the bus drivers (202 (52.74%)) had WRMSDs, with 157 (40.99%) bus drivers having lower back discomfort. On univariate analysis, it was found that duration of driving ≥20 years (P = 0.007); driving distance ≥ 150 km (P = 0.001); waist-hip ratio ≥ 0.9 (P = 0.004); and self-perceived workstation factors such as seat adjustability (P = 0.04), seat comfortableness (P = 0.01), and body contour of the seat (P = 0.02); and congestion on the bus route (P = 0.05) were significantly related to musculoskeletal disorders. However, on multivariate logistic regression, driving distance ≥150 km per day, seat uncomfortableness, and lack of body contour of the seat were found to be statistically significant independent factors related to WRMSDs. Conclusion: As the daily driving distance, seat uncomfortableness, and lack of body contour of the seat were statistically significantly related to WRMSDs, it is recommended that all the buses be retrofitted with proper ergonomically designed driver's seats, and the daily average driving distance should be reduced.