Low back pain among textile workers: a cross-sectional study

Paudyal, P.; Ayres, J. G.; Semple, S.; Macfarlane, G. J.

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent occupational health problems in industrialized countries. Little is known about the epidemiology of LBP in developing countries.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of LBP among Nepalese textile workers and to investigate the influence of exposure to mechanical and other factors on LBP reporting.

Methods: Interviewers completed questionnaires with study subjects, and work-related mechanical exposures were measured by self-completed questionnaires. Associations of LBP with mechanical factors and somatic symptoms were determined by logistic regression and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Nine hundred and thirty-eight workers took part, a participation rate of 92%. The 1 month period prevalence of LBP was 35% (n = 324), being higher in females than males (45% versus 28%; P < 0.001). Several work-related mechanical factors were associated with increased odds of reporting LBP: lifting heavy weights with one hand (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.8), pushing weights (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.3 and pulling weights (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.1). No association was found with working posture. Strong associations were found for reporting one (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.7-3.4) or two somatic symptoms (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4-5.1). On multivariable analysis, reporting of somatic symptoms (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.5-5.4), female gender (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.1) and increasing age were significantly associated with increased risk of reporting LBP (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.5), but no associations were found with mechanical factors.

Conclusions: This study suggests that mechanical load may not be the leading cause of LBP and adds to evidence that psychological factors play an important role in LBP in non-industrialized countries.

Citation

Paudyal, P., Ayres, J. G., Semple, S., & Macfarlane, G. J. (2013). Low back pain among textile workers: a cross-sectional study. Occupational Medicine, 63(2), 129-134. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqs231

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Deposit Date: Oct 20, 2023
• Journal: OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE-OXFORD
• Print ISSN: 0962-7480
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 129-134
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqs231