BACKS TOOL: A STUDY IN IDENTIFYING ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF OCCUPATIONAL CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Abstract

In the absence of objective definition of work- relatedness; decision- making processes, assessments, investigations, treatment and rehabilitation on chronic back pain due to work had been challenging. BACKS questionnaire was designed to assist physicians in determining occupational low back pain among employees from the aspect of reliability and validity. Each identified employee with history of chronic back pain was given chronic back pain was given the BACKS Tool prototype to be filled in. Data was analyzed via stepwise linear regression to develop a temporary model for the BACKS Tool questionnaire. A total 220 respondents were included in the study. Among the associated factors of chronic occupational back pain were physical demand, psychological demand, colleagues who complain of similar back pain, job task involved in twisting for more than 20o, age of the employees and Pain Score that was reported by the respective employees. The regression reported sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 95.5%. In search of determining work- relatedness among employees with occupational back pain versus those due to aging, a screening tool had to be developed to assist in providing scientific assessments that would improve employee satisfaction during educational promotion and counseling.