Low back pain and occupation among Irish health service workers

BACKGROUND: The health services sector has been identified as a high-risk work sector for low back pain (LBP) and related absenteeism. AIMS: To establish levels and predictors of LBP prevalence and associated sick leave among health service workers. To identify if levels of LBP or related absenteeism differ between occupational groups. METHODS: A postal survey using a standardized questionnaire and disproportionate random sampling of occupational groups was conducted at a single Dublin hospital. Overall hospital LBP prevalence and sickness absence were calculated using weighted analysis methods. Univariate analysis included the use of Chi-square, Fisher's exact and Mann-Whitney tests. Multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to explore for independent predictors of lifetime LBP prevalence and LBP-related sickness absence. RESULTS: An overall response rate of 62% (n = 246) was achieved. Lifetime, annual and point prevalence rates for the hospital employees were calculated at 46, 30 and 15.5%, respectively. No significant difference in prevalence was found between occupational groups but sick leave did differ with the highest level among general support and nursing staff. Multivariate analysis confirmed that occupation was an independent predictor for LBP-related sick leave (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LBP prevalence rates did not differ significantly between occupational groups but occupation was found to be an independent predictor of LBP-related sick leave. Involvement in manual handling did not predict either LBP or related sick leave.