1457 Prevalence and risk factors correlated with occupational back pain among workers in electronic industry

Abstract

Introduction Persistent back pain is common in society and is clearly an occupation-related problem. The symptoms are prevalent among industrial workers involved sedentary work with prolonged sitting and occasional standing. The nature of industrially electronic work is repetitive and sedentary work which might increase back pain risk. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors correlated with back pain among electronic workers at northeast, Thailand. Methods There were 354 workers selected by simple random sampling from the electronic process of industry. Data were collected by an interview with the structural questionnaires, observation for ergonomics risk assessment with the standard tools of RULA and occupational stress test. Risk factors were identified by multiple logistic regressions with adjusted odd ratio (OR adj ) and 95% confidence interval at p-value Results The result showed that most workers were operator (92.09%), age was 20–29 years old (63.84%). Almost workers had work experience less than 5 years (75.71%) and repetitive work (83.62%). The highest risk from RULA found in workers had alternative sitting and standing/walking posture over shift work (68.49%) and also in the group of machine controlled and changing material (71.70%). The prevalence of back pain was 20.62% (95% CI: 16.38 to 24.86) which was the highest prevalence among other areas. Risk factors significantly correlated with occupational back pain were low decision making (OR adj =2.26; 95% CI: 1.26 to 4.05), no exercise (OR adj =8.30; 95% CI: 1.35 to 24.28), overtime work (OR adj =3.39; 95% CI: 1.16 to 9.88), repetitive posture (OR adj =2.94; 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.29) and very high ergonomics risk assessed by RULA (OR adj =2.48; 95% CI: 1.20 to 6.60; p-value=0.018). Conclusion This study indicated that the high ergonomics risk at machine controlled station and alternative sitting and standing stations must be implemented change soon. Work rotation management is suggested to provide in the working process. Repetitive work, low decision, and long overtime work should be considered for safety management in order to prevent back pain among electronic workers.