Work-related back discomfort and associated factors among automotive maintenance mechanics in Eastern Nigeria: A cross sectional study

Abaraogu, Ukachukwu Okoroafor; Ezema, Charles Ikechukwu; Igwe, Sylvester Emeka; Egwuonwu, Afamefuna Victor; Okafor, Udoka

doi:10.3233/wor-162247

Cited by 20 publications

(36 citation statements)

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“…Respondents who had LBP in the past seven days believed it was caused by poor posture (46.7%), trauma (13.9%), lifting of loads (11.7%) and sudden movement [24] among automobile workers in Southern India and Southern Ethiopia, respectively. Conversely, the prevalence of LBP reported by the automobile in this study was lower than the 80.4% reported among their counterparts in Eastern Nigeria [1]. The varying results between the present study and the study by Abaraogu, et al [1] may be as a result of the heterogeneity of their sample (comprising panel beating, wheel alignment, electrical works, repairs and servicing).…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 80%

“…Conversely, the prevalence of LBP reported by the automobile in this study was lower than the 80.4% reported among their counterparts in Eastern Nigeria [1]. The varying results between the present study and the study by Abaraogu, et al [1] may be as a result of the heterogeneity of their sample (comprising panel beating, wheel alignment, electrical works, repairs and servicing). It is adducible that the high physical strength demand of automobile mechanic duties predisposed them to high rates of LBP.…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 80%

“…Low-back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability among the working population [1,2]. LBP alongside neck pain is ranked fourth in terms of disability-adjusted life years in the Global Burden of Disease 2016 study [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Earlier studies have sought to establish the prevalence of LBP among various occupational groups, including agricultural [12,13], construction [14,15], and health care [16,17] workers. While some occupational groups have received considerable attention in literature, others, such as automobile technicians [1], whose works involve intense manual labour, especially in resource-limited settings are yet to gain the desired investigations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this role comes with the need to maintain awkward positions for a long period; lift heavy spare parts, and in some instances require manoeuvring of the parts to get the repairs done. These work descriptions highlight that automobile technicians constantly exert physical strength at the detriment of their musculoskeletal health [1,18,19]. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and health care service utilization for LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence, Risk Factors and Health Care Service Utilization for Low-Back Pain among Nigerian Automobile Technicians

Ojo¹,

Emmanuel²,

Timilehin³

et al. 2021

J Musculoskelet Disord Treat

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Background: Automobile technicians in resource-limited countries depend more on manual than mechanized approach in their work, and as such, may be at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain (LBP). This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and health care service utilization for LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians.Methods: A total of 240 members of the National Association of Automobile Technicians responded in this survey. A previously validated instrument on prevalence, risk factors and health-care-service utilization for LBP was adapted in this study. Data was analysed using descriptive and interferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.Results: Twelve-month and point prevalence of LBP were 79.2% and 75%. On-going LBP was associated with work-related poor posture (46.7%), trauma (13.9%) and lifting of loads (11.7%).LBP mostly led to absenteeism from work (46.8%) and consultation with health practitioners (73.7%). 40% of respondents agreed to have incurred about N1000-N5000 as treatment cost, and 38.7% of the respondents lost about N5000-N10000 as estimated cost in terms of lost hours. Type of automobile activity engaged in (p = 0.483), frequent bending (p = 0.217), lifting objects weighing up to 5 kg (p = 0.071) or up to 25 kg (p = 0.719) and sustained sitting (p = 0.349) or standing (p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP.In the bivariate analysis, age (χ 2 = 3.298, P = 0.192), marital status (χ 2 = 0.098, P = 0.754), type of automobile repairs engaged in (χ 2 = 0.493, P = 0.483), lifting objects up to 5 kg (χ 2 = 3.269, p = 0.071), lifting objects up to 25 kg (χ 2 = 0.130, p = 0.719), sustained sitting (χ 2 = 0.840, p = 0.349), and sustained standing (χ 2 = 0.002, p = 0.996) were not significantly associated with prevalence of LBP. Level of education (χ 2 = 6.121, p = 0.047) was, however, associated with LBP prevalence, although this association was not sustained following logistic regression. Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of LBP among Nigerian automobile technicians, and it results in work absenteeism, economic burden and increased need to seek health care.

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Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 80%

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%