Background and Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is common in care workers since this profession requires much physical work. There is limited information about the prevalence of LBP and LBP-associated risk factors in hospital-based care workers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to 1) investigate the prevalence of LBP, and 2) identify the risk factors related to LBP in a multifactorial approach, among hospital-based care workers.
Methods: This study recruited 47 hospital-based care workers. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate the experience of LBP during the last 12 months. Information about personal traits was collected. Physical fitness, including hand grasp, hamstring flexibility, and both abdominal and back muscle endurance, was assessed. Participants also took the paper-based knowledge test about the work-related body mechanics techniques. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors related to LBP.
Results: The prevalence of LBP was 46.8% among hospital-based care workers. Risk factors associated with LBP included poor abdominal muscle endurance, insufficient knowledge of body mechanics techniques, and higher psychological stress.
Conclusion: LBP was common among hospital-based care workers. Risk factors associated with LBP included poor abdominal muscle endurance, insufficient knowledge of body mechanics techniques, and higher psychological stress. Further studies should verify effects of abdominal muscle strengthening exercises, knowledge education, and psychological interventions on minimizing or preventing LBP among hospital-based care workers.

LOW BACK PAIN-ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN FEMALE HOSPITAL-BASED PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS