Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly foot problems, are among the leading causes of reduced quality of life and work productivity. Evidence suggests that occupational conditions and daily activities play a crucial role in the development of foot pain. This study aimed to examine the relationship between occupational status, severity of foot pain, and functional impairment in various occupational groups using the Foot Function Index (FFI).
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,848 participants from East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Based on occupational status, participants were categorized as employees, self-employed, housewives (only women), and students. Data were collected using the FFI questionnaire. The data's normality was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests. Since the distribution was non-normal, inter-group comparisons were performed using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by pairwise comparisons with the Mann–Whitney U test and the Bonferroni correction, as necessary.
Results: The results revealed that students, both men and women, reported the highest levels of foot functional problems, while employees and self-employed individuals had lower FFI scores. Among women, housewives reported fewer problems than students. Statistical analyses confirmed significant differences among the occupational groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that occupational status is directly associated with foot pain and functional impairment. The results highlight that students, as a high-risk group, require special attention in preventive programs and orthopedic and ergonomic interventions. Identifying the impact of occupational factors on foot health can provide a basis for designing strategies to improve occupational health and reduce the burden of MSDs.
