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Low back pain among Iranian industrial workers
Mostafa Ghaffari1, Akbar Alipour, Irene Jensen
1Karolinska Institute-Public Health, PO Box 12718, Stockholm 112 94, Stockholm, Sweden. mostafa.ghaffari@cns.ki.se
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|July 14, 2006
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) affects 21% of Iranian industrial workers, with higher rates in females. Key risk factors include age, lack of exercise, and physically demanding work.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Limited epidemiological data exists on low back pain (LBP) in developing countries' working populations.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap by investigating LBP in Iranian industrial workers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of LBP among Iranian industrial workers.
- To explore associations between LBP and occupational physical/psychosocial factors, and lifestyle choices.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted on employees at Iran's largest car manufacturer.
- The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to collect data on LBP, work exposures, and lifestyle factors.
- Demographic data, including age, sex, education, weight, work experience, smoking, and fitness training, were recorded.
Main Results:
- The 1-year prevalence of self-reported LBP was 21% (20% males, 27% females) among 18,031 employees (78% participation).
- Annual absence due to LBP was 5%.
- Risk indicators for LBP included increasing age, lack of regular exercise, heavy lifting, repetitive work, and monotonous tasks.
Conclusions:
- Low back pain is a significant occupational health issue in developing countries.
- Age, gender, and specific occupational factors (physical and psychosocial) influence LBP prevalence.
- Observed differences in LBP prevalence across worker categories were minimal.
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