Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction \nLow back pain can be influenced by demographic, lifestyle and co-morbid \nfactors. No studies have been done on the relationship between these factors \nand low back pain in hospital employees in South Africa. The aim of this study \nwas to determine which of these factors was present and how they influenced \nlow back pain in staff employed at a district hospital in South Africa. \nMethods \nThe study used a self-administered questionnaire on staff employed at the \nhospital. \nResults \nResults indicated that the point prevalence for low back pain was 47%. \nMost of the employees were female nurses aged between 26 and 40 years with \nBMI values higher than normal. The majority of the employees participated in \nexercises although this was mainly for 1 to 2 times a week. Among the \ndemographic factors, only female gender was associated with increased risk of \nlow back pain (OR 1,67 CI 1,04 ; 2,69) while for the lifestyle factors, participation \nin group exercises was a protective factor against low back pain (OR 1,66 CI \n1,02 ; 2,70). Perceived stress all the time increased the risk of low back pain \n(OR 3,47 CI 1,46 ; 8,23). None of the isolated co-morbid diseases were \nassociated with the presence of low back pain. \nConclusion \nThe prevalence of low back pain among Tshwane district hospital employees is \nhigh. Female gender and a high level of perceived stress increase the risk of low \nback pain while participation in group exercise reduces the risk of low back pain.
Author: Benita Naude
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2135473274