Prevalence and influence factors of low back pain among workers in an automobile industry corporation

Objective To explore the prevalence and influence factors of low back pain (LBP)among automobile industry workers.Methods Using two-stage cluster random sampling,a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 800 workers in an automobile industry corporation in Shiyan city of Hubei province in June 2013.Chi-square test was utilized to compare the differences in the prevalence of LBP among different worker groups.Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results The prevalence of LBP was 60.3% among the workers.The results of univariate analysis showed that risk factors of LBP included aged over 30 years,prolonged standing (mean duration of more than one hour),frequently bending at work,length of service (11-15 years),rotating upper body frequently,needing to maintain bending position during work,high frequency of repetitive action,and personnel shortage,with the ORs ranging from 1.54 to 2.14 and the higher ORs of 2.14 (95% confidence interval95%CI=1.7-2.68)for aged 30-39 years and 1.93 (95%CI=1.56-2.40) for standing almost all the way during work;the protective factors against LBP were adequate time of resting (OR=0.56,95%CI=0.49-0.64),with a self-decided operation arrangement (OR=0.65,95%CI=0.55-0.77),and long time of sitting during work (OR=0.91,95%CI=0.78-1.07).Multivariate logistic regression indicated that female gender,aged more than 30 years,with a job seniority of more than 11 years,needing to bend during work,standing almost all the way during work,sitting almost all the way during work,repeated operations,and personnel shortage were risk factors of LBP;while adequate rest time,and being able to decide when to begin and stop working were protective factors against LBP.Conclusion There was a considerably higher prevalence of low back pain among automobile industry workers,suggesting intervention measures should be taken to control the disorder among the workers.