Cultural differences in musculoskeletal symptoms and disability

Objectives To test the hypothesis that cultural factors such as health beliefs and expectations have an important influence on common muscu-loskeletal symptoms and associated disability, we compared prev-alence rates in groups of workers carrying out similar physical activities in different cultural settings. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey at factories and offices in Mumbai, India and in the UK. A questionnaire about symptoms, disability and risk factors was administered at interview to six occu-pational groups: three groups of office workers who regularly used computer keyboards (165 Indian, 67 UK of Indian subcontinental origin and 172 UK white), and three groups of workers carrying out repetitive manual tasks with the hands or arms (178 Indian, 73 UK of Indian subcontinental origin and 159 UK white). Modified Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the preva-lence of symptoms and disability by occupational group, adjusted fo