Self-Reported Musculoskeletal Problem during Stop-Go Driving: The Combined Variables Contribution towards Knee Pain among Car Drivers

Navien Arul  Raj; Juliana  Usman; Siew-Li  Goh; Khin Wee   Lai; Saad Jawaid  Khan

doi:10.18502/ijph.v54i7.19154

Navien Arul Raj Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Juliana Usman Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Siew-Li Goh Sport Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Khin Wee Lai Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Saad Jawaid Khan Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Management, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v54i7.19154

Keywords: Musculoskeletal pain; Fatigue; Knee pain; Driving

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal problems among drivers sourced from severe traffic congestion have become a substantial public health issue. Prominent driving risk exposures were deemed to inflict symptoms such as discomfort and ache among drivers that subsequently contribute to fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between frequency and period of getting stuck during driving through stop-go motion towards the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. Moreover, several combined effects of parameters were investigated towards the experience of knee pain among drivers.

Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey method. The survey conducted in 2021 was randomly sampled among 18-year-old and above Malaysian drivers with valid driving license and the survey conducted through social media via an online Google form. To analyse the association and outcomes of the survey, Chi-Square and Binary Logistic Regression tests were used respectively.

Results: Overall, 320 drivers were recruited in this study. Data of 180 drivers who frequently stuck during peak hours in congestion was analysed with chi-square test that showed no significant relationship for both the driving exposure variables with the prevalence of knee pain during stop-go motion. Nevertheless, 92 (51.11%) drivers reported commonly experiencing knee pain symptoms from prolonged repetitive driving motion. The total sample of this study tested using regression analysis for combined effects of the parameters showed a significant (P<0.05) correlation of the drivers’ experience of knee pain while driving in heavy traffic.

Conclusion: Generally, there are combined variables that contributed towards the occurrence of knee pain during stop-go driving in this study.