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A study was conducted on the relationship between exposure to various physical lower back stressors such as vibration, awkward working position, bending, and lifting, and chronic back problems. Data on long term back problems, work activity, and physical work exposures were obtained from the Ontario Health Survey in 1990, which sampled 38,540 respondents between 16 and 64 years of age. Associations between chronic back problems, job, and physical work demands were analyzed by statistical methods. Results showed a 7.8% overall prevalence of long term back problems in the working age population of the Ontario province. Only a slight difference in prevalence between men and women was observed. Low education, low income, smoking, obesity, and unemployment were associated with a high prevalence for chronic back trouble, with the highest rates of back problems seen in the two oldest age groups. After controlling for age, sex, and smoking, bending and lifting, working with vibrating equipment, and working with the back in awkward positions were all correlated with a greater risk of back pain. Risk of back problems also increased with the amount of exposures to these work activities. The authors conclude that physical work exposure account for 24% of excess back pain morbidity in the whole Ontario working population.
American Journal of Public Health, 86(3):382-387, 1996. (28 references)
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