Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Staff in a Rural Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out in a rural hospital in south-western Nigeria to determine the prevalence of low back pain among its staff. The questionnaire administered to staff sought information on social and demographic characteristics, job history, smoking status, frequency and severity of low back pain and factors predisposing to low back pain. Seventy-four out of a total of 80 workers participated in the study. The prevalence of low back pain among staff was 46%. The highest prevalence of back pain (69%) was recorded among nursing staff, followed by secretaries/administrative staff (55%) and cleaners/aides (47%). Heavy physical work (45%), poor posture (20%) and prolonged standing or sitting (20%) were the most frequent activities reported to be associated with low back pain among these workers. The prevalence of low back pain among these workers is comparable to that of workers in high income countries. Health education on posture and correct lifting techniques can be introduced to reduce the burden of low back pain among these workers.

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

“…The point prevalence of low back pain in this study was, 28.9%. This is similar to study done in different countries of Africa with point prevalence of low back pain which varies between 16% and 59% (14,15); as well as study done in European countries with point prevalence of between 21.5% and 57% (4-6). However, it is much lower than point prevalence rates of 35.8%, reported in South Africa (12).…”

“…The one year prevalence was in the range of 14% to 72% and the life time prevalence was in between 28% and 74% as reported by African countries (14,15). The one year prevalence was also in the annual prevalence reported in industrialized countries, varying between 15%-45% (4).…”

Low back pain and coping strategies’ among nurses in Port Said City, Egypt

“…These factors were found to have statistically significant relationships with LBP in our study. These results are in agreements with the findings of Heutink et al [20,32,33,37] who noted a similar association between age, obesity, experience and low back pain. Furthermore, Schlossmacher and Amaral [35] reported that low back pain was 2.39 more common in obese individuals when compared with the respondents of normal weight and underweight.…”

Low Back Pain among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital, South India

“…Improper postural mechanics also has a direct effect on the prevalence of LBP. Patient lifting and postural requirements during the work poses a high risk to nurses in a hospital environment [5]. Especially in the developing countries absence or lack of lifting aids forces the nurses to strain during shifting of patients.…”