Occupational low back pain among workers in some small-sized factories in Ardabil, Iran

The main purpose of this study was to assess some of the individual and occupational risk factors contributing to induction or intensification of LBP among the employees suffering from this problem in four small size factories in Ardabil, Iran. This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted among the personnel of four industrial companies. Interview, questionnaire survey, medical examination (Lasegue test), radiographic evaluation, and ergonomic survey (using the NIOSH checklist) were the methods to collect data. The result of the study was divided into two parts: individual factors and work-related factors. The highest frequency of low back pain was observed in the age of 30-34 years old, medium height and heavy weight with 34.4, 84.4, and 33.0 percent, respectively. With regard to work-related factors, load lifting with 44.7 and body posture with 18.4 percent contributed to low back pain as the most important occupational causes among the patients. Observing recommended regulations and limitations of load lifting, modifying and optimizing ergonomic conditions in the workplace, selecting workers with suitable body strength on the basis of a pre-employment examination and implementing a continuous educational program for employees were the most important methods recommended to prevent low back pain.