A questionnaire survey was carried out among taxi drivers in Norway to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and to
identify work-related factors that are likely to increase the risk of neck, shoulder or lower back pain. Nearly 1500 taxi drivers were chosen
nationally to form the subject pool. One-year musculoskeletal pain prevalence (MSP) was assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal
Questionnaire (NMQ), and work-related factors with a questionnaire designed for the purpose. The response included 929 (63.4%) of the
drivers contacted. The results revealed that taxi drivers have an elevated risk of musculoskeletal problems compared to a Norwegian
reference population. When workload and lifestyle factors were analysed simultaneously, independent risk factors for MSP were
identified as driving hours per shift and per week, sleeping in the car during rest breaks, experience of violence, body mass index (BMI),
unhealthy eating habits and little physical exercise. Significant demographic variables were gender and ethnic origin; female drivers and
non-western immigrants being at higher risk. In addition, employed drivers had higher risk for MSP than taxi owners.