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. 2022 Jan;55(1):98-105.
doi: 10.3961/jpmph.21.565. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Individual and Occupational Factors Associated With Low Back Pain: The First-ever Occupational Health Study Among Bangladeshi Online Professionals

Mosharop Hossian  1   2 , Mohammad Hayatun Nabi  1 , Ahmed Hossain  1 , Mohammad Delwer Hossain Hawlader  1 , Nadira Sultana Kakoly  1
Affiliations

Individual and Occupational Factors Associated With Low Back Pain: The First-ever Occupational Health Study Among Bangladeshi Online Professionals

Mosharop Hossian et al. J Prev Med Public Health. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is a common chronic condition among sedentary workers that causes long-term productivity loss. This study aimed to identify the relationships of individual and occupational factors with LBP among Bangladeshi online professionals.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 468 full-time online professionals who usually worked in a sitting position. One-month LBP complaints were assessed using a musculoskeletal subscale of subjective health complaints. The chi-square test was used to measure associations between categorical predictors and LBP, and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify the variables significantly associated with LBP.

Results: LBP within the last month was reported by 65.6% of participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that age >30 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 to 0.70) and being married (aOR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.97) had significant negative associations with LBP. Significant positive associations were found for spending >50 hours weekly on average working in a sitting position (aOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.49), being overweight and obese (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.99), sleeping on a soft mattress (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.06 to 3.80), and ex-smoking status (aOR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.41 to 7.87).

Conclusions: A high prevalence of LBP was found among full-time online professionals. Long working hours in a sitting position showed a significant association with developing LBP. Smoking history, body mass index, and sleeping arrangements should also be considered while considering solutions for LBP prevalence among online professionals.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Low back pain; Occupational health; Online freelancers; Online professionals.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest associated with the material presented in this paper.

Figures

Figure. 1.
Figure. 1.
Distribution of low back pain among Bangladeshi online professionals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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