Lower Back Problems and WorkRelated Risks in a So

Authors: Bernard van Vuuren Hendrik J van Heerden Piet J Becker Evert Zinzen Romain Meeusen

Publish Date: 2007/02/27

Volume: 17, Issue: 2, Pages: 199-211

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Abstract

An analytical crosssectional epidemiological study carried out among 109 manganese plant workers aimed to examine the prevalence and association between lower back problems LBP and occupational risk factors Outcome was defined using a guided questionnaire and a functional rating index Exposure to occupational risk factors was determined using selfreported questionnaires and workstation analyses Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated significant adjusted odds ratios OR for prolonged 90° trunk flexion OR 216 CI 115–405 manual handling 189 117–308 load carriage 154 108–219 and lifting 461 137–1547 The findings illustrate regional and occupational specifics of risk for LBP and indicate that selfselection or adaptation to taskspecific demands could possibly lead to observations of ergonomically relevant risk factors which do not necessarily yield statistically significant associations with LBP The findings further support multimodal preventative approaches

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