Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain among Thai and Myanmar Migrant Seafood Processing Factory Workers in Samut Sakorn Province, Thailand

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common health problems all over the world. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain is reported to be over 70% in European countries and the peak prevalence occurred between ages 35 and 55 in the working population 1) . Despite its benign nature, LBP is the leading cause of disability and the highest cost for workers' compensation in industrialized countries [2][3][4][5][6] . In Thailand as well, high prevalence of LBP is reported. The six month prevalence of LBP was more than 50% in the study population over 50 yr old 7) .Risk factors for LBP have not been completely elucidated. The most frequently reported risk factor for LBP is heavy physical workload such as lifting, awkward posture, and whole body vibration [8][9][10] . Life style is also considered a risk factor of LBP. Smoking behavior 8,11,12) , lack of physical exercise 8) , and short sleep hours 13) increase the risk of LBP. A systematic review showed that there was no evident relationship between alcohol consumption and LBP 14) . An association between LBP and psychosocial factors has also been reported 8,15,16) . Food processing workers are known to be a high risk population for LBP because they work in awkward postures, with lifting and manual handling of heavy Received October 30, 2009 and accepted March 12, 2010 Abstract: This study assessed the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and investigated risk factors for LBP among seafood processing factory workers in Thailand including migrant workers. The subjects were Thai and Myanmar workers in the typical seafood processing factory. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence of LBP, general characteristics, life style, and working condition were investigated. The associations between LBP and risk factors were estimated by multiple logistic regression models. Of 254 workers, 165 completed the questionnaire. Half of these workers were Thai, the others were from Myanmar. The point prevalence of LBP was 28.5%. Risk factors for LBP were age over 40 yr, poor health status, history of back injury, twisting posture at work, and slipping on wet floors. The results suggest that health promotion should focus on working conditions rather than individual life style in order to prevent LBP. Furthermore, greater attention to other risk factors such as history of back injury and perception of health status after regular health check up, especially in older age groups may be needed.

Risk Factors for Frequent Work-related Burn and Cut Injuries and Low Back Pain among Commercial Kitchen Workers in Japan

“…The higher risk of work-related injuries in younger workers has been reported in Western countries 1,17,26,40,41) . Some previous studies on workers in some industries reported that age was a risk factor for LBP 8,33,42,43) , while other studies reported no association between age and LBP 8,39) . The results of this study did not show an association between age and injury or LBP among kitchen workers.…”

“…Information on personal factors consisted of gender, age, obesity and body height. Age was categorized as middle-aged and older (≥40 yr) group and younger (<40 yr) group referring to previous research 5,8,33) . Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 according to the international classification for Asian populations recommended by WHO 34) .…”

Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among Women Living in Slum Areas of Dhaka City

“…Usually it resolves within a few weeks. The most common risk factor for low back pain of women are heavy physical workload, lifting, awkward posture, static work posture, pregnancy, pushing & pulling, body vibration, increased body mass index and life style 11 . Bangladesh is a land of grueling poverty in terms of economic sense.…”

“…Researcher also found that most of the slum women with LBP were less educated, 41% illiterate, 22% completed primary level, 17% SSC level, 10% HSC level. A Thai study stated that 46.1% were educated upto primary level who had back pain 11 .…”

Moderation of Back pain by Rehabilitation Exercises; Multifidus Muscle’ Perspective

“…5%. [29], [7], [47]. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain (LBP) was reported to be over 70 percent in industrialized countries [9], [48].…”