Published Paper Details:

INTRODUCTION: In urban, suburban and rural areas of India there are different modes of public transport i.e., car, busses and three-wheeler auto-rickshaw. The most cheap and easily available source of public transport throughout the country is auto-rickshaw. Auto-rickshaw drivers are at risk of developing number of health problems as a direct result of the occupational environment in the form of exposure to the air pollutants, higher temperature, effects of seasonal variation irregular, erratic working hours and duration, shift work, poor posture, improper dietary habits, and other work-related stress factors. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence and risk factors of upper limb functional ability among auto-rickshaw drivers in miraj city. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: It is a prevalence study which consists of 300 males. Study included subjects were 20-55 years of age and more than 5 years of experience. Subjects were given written informed consent and questionnaire were filled such as CMDQ and UEFI. These were then collected and analysed. RESULTS: It wasfound that 75(25%) had neck pain, 33(11%) had right shoulder pain, 13(4%) had left shoulder pain, 73(24%) had pain in upper back region, 18(6%) had right upper arm pain, 7(2%) had left upper arm pain, 82(27%) had pain in lower back region, 28(9%) had right forearm pain, 9(3%) had left forearm pain, 58(19%) had pain in right wrist whereas 12(4%) had left wrist pain, 45(15%) pain in buttocks, 36(12%) had pain in right thigh, 32(11%) had pain in left thigh, 44(15%) had pain in right knee, 38(13%) had pain in left knee, 31(10%) had pain in right lower leg, 26(9%) had pain in left lower leg, 41(14%) had pain right foot and 17(6%) had pain in the left foot. CONCLUSION: In this paper, an assessment of musculoskeletal discomfort and upper limb functional mobility among auto rickshaw drivers was conducted. Musculoskeletal discomfort was seen in neck, lower back, upper back and right wrist majorly. Therefore this study states that the auto rickshaw drivers along with musculoskeletal disorders have involvement of upper limb mobility and function is hampered.