Prevalence and risk factors associated with low back pain among hospital staff in a university hospital in Lebanon

Abstract

Our study aims to assess the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain occurred in health care workers in a Lebanese Hospital, and the impact of gestural and postural education in prevention. A transversal survey with retrospective data collection was conducted at the University Hospital Center Hôtel-Dieu de France (HDF) Beirut in November 2015. It was based on a questionnaire of 29 items exploring the demographic, anthropometric and social data subjects and data for low back pain: duration, trigger back pain, risk factors, low back pain history, and the role of staff training to handling. The processing of the information collected was performed using SPSS software to Version 22. The statistical analysis included descriptive and univariate analysis. A total of 537 responses of 570 (94%), 75% female, mean age 34 years (18 to 64), overweight 46%, smoking 31%, sports 33%. Seniority at the workplace 10 years (1–40). Prevalence of low back pain 54%. Trigger: lifting force 72.5%, 21% wrong move, fall 6%. Work stopping 14.5% (average 5 days). Physiotherapy 16.5%. Back surgery 4.5%. Training on the handling 307 (63%) of which 226 (72%) improved their posture at work. The risk factors identified were female gender (× 19) P : 0.01%, past history of lumbago (× 3.2) P : 0.0000, the lifting force (× 4) P : 0.047% and the non-participation in handling training (× 1.5) P : 0.12%. The prevalence of 54% of low back pain in UHC is very high compared to international studies. It is necessary to generalize the concept of primary prevention of back pain and postural and gestural education in university courses and hospitals in Lebanon, and to ensure a sufficient number of nursing staff and proper equipment to aid handling.