The relationship between driving posture and musculoskeletal disorders among drivers of passenger transport...

Taxi drivers have several occupational risk factors related to musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) because of their occupation's demands. Thus, this study assessed the prevalence of MSDs related to driving postures among drivers of passenger transport applications (apps) and explored their associated risk factors.

A total of 565 drivers participated in this cross-sectional study. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-Arabic version) was used to identify the occurrence of MSDs and question about driving posture.

The MSDs prevalence in the last 12 months was 75.04 % with neck complaint was the most prevalent (57.31 %). Knee issues were the most prevalent complaints preventing normal activity (70.90 %). Ankles/feet was the most complaint that led to visiting a physician (16.43 %). Incorrect driving posture increased the risk of MSDs three times (OR: 2.85). Females, driving 6-7 days/week, and incorrect driving posture were predictors of neck complaint (OR: 2.29, 2.61, 2.23 respectively). Females, and incorrect driving posture were predictors of shoulder complaint (OR: 3.47, 2.16 respectively). Incorrect driving posture was a predictor of upper back, lower back and knee complaints (OR: 1.68, 2.72, 1.90 respectively).

Three quarters of passenger transport app drivers have had MSDs during the last 12 months. Incorrect driving posture was the major predictor of neck, lower back, shoulders, upper back, and knee complaints. The female driver was a predictor of neck and shoulder complaints, while daily driving was a predictor of neck complaints. Ergonomic training courses focusing on proper driving posture could successfully reduce the drivers' MSDs.