ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, low back pain (LBP) is regarded as the most common cause of occupational illness, work-related disability and absenteeism from work. The presence of LBP in the working age is a great cause for concern, as it is this population that contributes greatly to the productivity and economic viability of a country. However, in order to effect meaningful changes, such as formulating primary prevention and subsequent management strategies aimed at curbing the rising burden of occupational LBP, it is necessary to understand the physical activities that workers are frequently exposed to in the work place that put them at risk of developing LBP. Nigeria is largely dependent on the working age population to drive its economy therefore necessitating introductory research, as reported in various establishments on occupational risk factors that may hamper optimal worker participation.
This research therefore aimed to determine the occupational risk factors and the resulting back-related disability in patients presenting with LBP in a public educational institution in Nigeria.
Method: An analytical cross-sectional study design was used to estimate the prevalence and investigate the risk factors for LBP among 461 administrative staffs of University of Benin. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on LBP history, work-related and socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants. The 12-month prevalence of LBP was determined while a logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between the predictors and LBP. The resulting back-related disability was also determined through the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). Furthermore, the relationship between occupational risk factors and the demographic profile of the study participants were determined based on statistical analysis.
Result: The study was successful in establishing that among the 461 participants, the majority were females (70.7 %) with a mean age of 38.56 years (SD=7.69). Most of the participants had tertiary education with BSc/BA (44%). The majority of the individuals with LBP were overweight (38.4%). The 12-month prevalent rate of low back pain among the study participants is (65.9%). Minor levels of back-related disability were reported by the majority (85%) while none of the participant reported severe disability as a result of low back pain. Furthermore, results from the study revealed that Force exertion (e.g. Lifting or pulling heavy weights), Posture (e.g. awkward position, prolonged bending and sitting positions), Sedentary lifestyle (No exercise), Ergonomics and environmental factors, and some psychosocial risk factors/stressors (e.g. more working hours, much volume of work, doing the same kind of work, performing other duties and having no breaks/rest at work) are occupational risk factors significantly associated with LBP. The odds of having low back pain are increased by 6.318 for females (p-value = .011).
