Low back pain prevalence and risk factors among health workers in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) has a major impact on health workers, and its prevalence and risk factors among them in Saudi Arabia have been investigated previously. However, the results have never been comprehensively reviewed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the available literature to identify the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among health workers in Saudi Arabia. Methods MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Saudi peer‐reviewed journals were searched for relevant literature. After quality assessment of the eligible articles, 18 studies targeting seven occupational categories, with a total number of 5345 health workers, were analyzed. Results Pooled prevalence rates of 40.8% (n = 7 studies), 65.0% (n = 13 studies), and 81.4% (n = 2 studies) were obtained for week, year, and career, respectively, across all professional groups. Nurses and physical therapists were more susceptible to LBP, in that order, than the other categories considering week and career periods. Age, body mass index, and female gender were the most commonly reported individual risk factors. Occupational risk factors mainly included work‐related activities requiring back bending and twisting, lifting and pulling objects, and manual patient‐handling. Conclusions The results of this review indicate that LBP is highly prevalent among health workers in Saudi Arabia when compared with international rates. Proper prophylactic measures are necessary to reduce LBP and minimize its consequences. Further high‐quality research is needed in different Saudi regions to achieve a broader understanding of LBP prevalence and causes.

Prevalence and correlates of low back pain among undergraduate medical students in Serbia, a cross-sectional study

“…Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems and it affects people of all ages, from children to elderly ( Al Amer, 2020 ; Chiwaridzo, Chamarime & Dambi, 2018 ; Hoy et al, 2012 ; Duthey, 2013 ). According to the definition accepted by the World Health Organization, pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage ( Raja et al, 2020 ).…”

Low back pain among health workers

“…The age of the sample in our study ranged from 21 to 73 years, with an average of 45.5 ± 12.2 years, which is significantly higher compared to other studies [11,27]. Age, body mass index, and female gender were the most commonly reported individual risk factors for LBP [10]. In our study, respondents had an average of 20.62 ± 12.03 years of work experience.…”

“…In the research by Peković D, 87% of respondents (nurses/technicians employed in a tertiary healthcare institution) stated that they had LBP in the last year [16]. Nurses and physical therapists were more susceptible to LBP [10], but it is also present among non-medical workers employed in the health sector [27]. In a study by Şimşek Ş. et al, including 1,682 healthcare workers, LBP was most common among medical secretaries (56.9%), and factors that increased the risk for LBP were advanced age, female gender, high body mass index, married status, lack of regular exercise, working for more than 4 hours while standing or sitting at the desk, using a computer for more than 4 hours, higher number of years of service, and low job satisfac-tion [12].…”

“…It is estimated that more than a third of occupational diseases in the Nordic countries, the United States, and Japan are associated with the musculoskeletal system, and LBP has been identified as the leading cause of sick leave [8,9]. LBP has a major impact on health workers [10], especially because it is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases among them [11]. It is present in all groups of health professionals [10,[12][13][14] in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services [15].…”

“…LBP has a major impact on health workers [10], especially because it is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases among them [11]. It is present in all groups of health professionals [10,[12][13][14] in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services [15]. The prevalence of LBP among healthcare workers varies and in studies it ranges from 53% [12] to 92% in those involved in rotating shift work [16].…”