Risk factors for low back pain among Filipino manufacturing workers and their anthropometric measurements

This study looked into the prevalence of and risk factors for low back pain among workers in manufacturing industries in the Philippines. Anthropometric measurements were also done to establish the design principles of the working equipment, protective equipment, and tools of the Filipino worker to prevent musculoskeletal disorder. This was a cross-sectional study using a stratified random sampling technique. Thirty-one industries were selected. Various workstations were sampled from each industry where subjects were selected. There were 495 workers surveyed for the symptoms questionnaire and 544 for the anthropometric measurements. Results showed that 5.1 percent experienced discomfort, 2 percent had trunk rigidity, and 1.4 percent had both limitations of trunk motion and activities of daily living. Logistic regression showed that low back pain was significantly associated with leaning, bending, and carrying for 2-8 hours (p at.05), and with standing for 2-8 hours (p at.001). It was also found to affect work performance and more likely to occur 14 times as often after work as during the initial work sessions. Anthropometric measurements of the workers showed that the mean height is 159.96 cm, mean chest height is 115.70 cm, waist height is 96.95 cm, and knee height is 47.37 cm. Anthropometric data between sexes was also presented. This anthropometry can be used for the design of working equipment of Filipino workers. It is recommended that risk factors for low back pain be understood and equipment be designed according to the body proportions of the workers identified in this study.