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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-03-2022 | COVID-19 | Original Article

Back pain occurred due to changes in routinary activities among Brazilian schoolteachers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Rose Elizabeth Cabral Barbosa, Giovanni Campos Fonseca, Nayra Suze Souza e Silva, Rosângela Ramos Veloso Silva, Ada Ávila Assunção, Desirée Sant’Ana Haikal

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 2/2022

Abstract

Objective

This study’s main objective was to investigate the emergence of back pain as a consequence to changes in usual activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic among teachers in public schools in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 15,276 schoolteachers using an online questionnaire. The variables included sociodemographic and occupational data, health situation, habits and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bivariate analyses using Pearson’s chi-square test and multiple analyses using Poisson regression were performed to identify the associated factors.

Results

About 58% of schoolteachers reported back pain due to changes in routine activities during the pandemic. The adjusted model showed a correlation between back pain and female sex, longer working hours, overwork, difficulties concerning distance working, negative changes in health status and quality of sleep; frequent feeling of sadness, depression, or anxiety; use of medications to relax, sleep or against stress/anxiety/depression; physical inactivity or negative changes in the practice of physical activities; increased body weight; reduction of leisure time; increased time of use of computer or tablet and overload of housework.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, schoolteachers reported a high prevalence of emergence of back pain, which delineates a contradiction in terms: on the one hand, distance education allows social distancing that contributes to the preservation of teachers’ health by reducing the risk of contamination by COVID-19. On the other hand, it imposes new demands that—in disagreement with working conditions—can threaten the health of these workers.

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Title: Back pain occurred due to changes in routinary activities among Brazilian schoolteachers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rose Elizabeth Cabral Barbosa
Giovanni Campos Fonseca
Nayra Suze Souza e Silva
Rosângela Ramos Veloso Silva
Ada Ávila Assunção
Desirée Sant’Ana Haikal
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: COVID-19
Anxiety
Back Pain
Back Pain
Back Pain
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-021-01793-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Back pain occurred due to changes in routinary activities among Brazilian schoolteachers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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