Journal of
the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NIGERIA SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
  • Abbreviation: J. Nig. Soc. Physiother.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 0331-3735
  • DOI: 10.5897/JNSP
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 62

Full Length Research Paper

Risk factors for low back pain among hospital workers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Sanya AO
  • Sanya AO
  • Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
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Omokhodion FO
  • Omokhodion FO
  • Occupational Health Unit, Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
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Ogwumike OO
  • Ogwumike OO
  • Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of lbadan.
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  • Article Number - 29B3E9C65311
  • Vol.15(2), pp. 31-34 , December 2005
  •  Received: 30 November 2005
  •  Accepted: 30 November 2005
  •  Published: 31 December 2005

Abstract

This study investigated the risk factors for low back pain among workers in hospitals in Ibadan under the Oyo State Hospital Management Board. A crosssectional survey was carried out using a two-part questionnaire. Six hundred and seventy-five questionnaires were circulated and self administered out of which 446 were duly completed and returned, representing a response rate of 66 %. The data was analysed with the statistical analysis system (SAS) using the chi-square contingency table technique with the level of significance set at 0.05. The point prevalence oflow back pain for the hospital workers was 20.6% while the 12-month prevalence was 47.8%. Job tasks which predisposed significantly to low back pain were: lifting (P < 0.01), bending (P < 0.01), and staying in the same position for over 3 hours (P < 0.01). It was recommended that this group of workers should adopt good lifting techniques associated with good postural awareness in bending.

 

Key words: low back pain, hospital workers, job tasks