Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Associated Risk Factors Among Adama Hospital Medical College Staff, Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common work-related health problems among hospital workers. Work-related activities such as twisting, bending, sustained posture, repeated movements are regarded as associated risk factors for low back pain. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of Low Back Pain among hospital workers. Methodology: An institution based cross sectional survey design was conducted among employees in Adama Hospital Medical College (AHMC), Adama Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multiple regression analyses were performed. p<0.1 in univariate is considered for multivariate analysis and p<0.05 was used to define statistical significance. Result: Of 263, 137(52.1%) were males and 126(47.9%) were females. The result indicated that the mean and median age of the respondents were 33.5 and 33 years respectively. The life time prevalence of LBP was found to be 50.6% and the 12 month LBP prevalence was 41.4%. Staff not participating in any physical activity (exercise) were more likely to report presence of low back pain (AOR (Adjusted Odd Ratio)=1.75, CI, 1.02-3.02). On the other hand, staff who worked sitting more than 6 hours were associated with increased risk of low back pain(AOR=2.78, CI, 1.09-7.07). Perceived stress often increased risk of low back pain (AOR=2.60, CI, 1.06-6.36). Conclusion: LBP was significantly associated with the obesity, stressed often, those worked in seated position more than six hours and those with long year experience; but doing physical exercise has rather a preventive effect. The findings of this study suggest that primary prevention of LBP should be considered.

<p>Low Back Pain Among Nurses Working at Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia</p>

“…Similar findings were obtained from Adama and Gonder, Ethiopia. 2,26 This finding is also consistent with the study findings reported from Turkey, Iran, Rwanda, Taiwan, Nepal, Korea and Malaysia. 8,10,17,24,[38][39][40] This might be due to the direct patient care activities which are physically demanding, and escalates the LBP with repetitive exposure to the physical and psychosocial hazards.…”

“…Hence, it was 73−76% in Switzerland, 13 62% in Dutch, 14 33-86% in Italy, 15 65.8% in Turkey, 16 90.3% in South Korea, 17 78% in Nepal, 12 63.1% in Malaysia, 8 54.3% in Qatar, 9 48.4−74.2% in Saudi Arabia, 11,18,19 74.5% in Yemen, 20 73.5 −77.19% in Nigeria, 3,21,22 79.3% in Egypt, 23 78% in Rwanda, 24 57.7% in Tunisia, 25 and 45.8-60% in Ethiopia so far. 3,26,27 Nurse's experience of low back pain is related to the nature of their job and influenced by different factors. Literatures unveiled that socio-demographic factors such as age, being female, married, longer years of work experience were associated with LBP among nurses.…”

“…Literatures unveiled that socio-demographic factors such as age, being female, married, longer years of work experience were associated with LBP among nurses. 3,19,[23][24][25] Moreover, lifestyle factors including smoking, chewing khat and physical activity 16,20,25,26 have been identified as substantially affecting the development of LBP. Studies have also indicated workplace conditions like standing and sitting for a long time, working in awkward posture, night shifts, lifting heavyweight greater than 10 kg, transferring and repositioning the patient, and working units were risk factors for LBP.…”

Prevalence and predictors of low back pain in a Southern Nigerian hospital

“…(Greece) and Deksisa Abebe (Ethiopia). [2122] While the findings by Spyropoulos were similar to ours, Abebe found that age and gender were not risk factors for LBP. Their findings in the age category may have been due to the majority of their respondents being below 40 years (77%), going by the 40-year threshold in our study, above which we found age to be a risk factor.…”

Factors affecting healthcare utilization for low back pain among nurses in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia, 2018: a cross-sectional study

“…It has been shown that LBP causes an estimated 21.7 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) accounting for about one-third of all occupational disabilities [1]. The burden of LBP also entails a profound negative impact on the quality of life, productivity, and work performance [2–4]. Globally, there has been a plethora of research conducted on the prevalence and risk factors arousing LBP among healthcare workers, particularly nurses [5–10].…”