Musculoskeletal symptoms and stress do not alter the quality of life of basic education teachers

ABSTRACT This study assessed the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, level of stress and quality of life of basic education teachers. The sample was composed of 298 teachers (265 women and 33 men) of early childhood and elementary education from Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Musculoskeletal symptoms (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), level of stress (Lipp’s Stress Symptoms Inventory) and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref Questionnaire) were evaluated. Forty-eight percent (48%) of the teachers presented musculoskeletal symptoms and 65% were absent from daily activities. Forty-two percent (42%) of the teachers presented some level of stress, mainly at the stage of resistance (73%) and near exhaustion (19%). Psychological symptoms predominated over physical symptoms (p