Factors associated with low back pain in ready-made garments workers in Bangladesh

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is an increasingly prevalent work-related condition that affects workers in manufacturing in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which often causes disability or additional problems when doing demanding physical duties. This study focused on the risk factors for LBP in the context of workers with LBP who work in the ready-made garment (RMG) factories. Methods and materials A cross-sectional study involved 385 RMG workers, all of whom were adults with ≥ 1 year of work job experience and who typically worked in a sitting position. We use surveys method for collecting data, and a standardized questionnaire covering sociodemographic, pain, work, associated effects, and activities, as well as risk factor-related variables, was used. To evaluate the associations among categorical variables and LBP, we used the chi-square test. To identify the variables that showed strong relationships with LBP, multivariable logistic regression analysis was also carried out. Results The participant’s age (mean ± SD) is 31.27 ± 6.94. One-hundred ninety-four of the 385 participants between the ages of 30–39 years (23.9%) suffered from LBP and statistically strongly significant (χ2 = 15.187, p = 25 kg/m2) (OR 10.72, 95% CI 2.16–53.5), work in an awkward position, stationary position for ling time, working beyond physical ability, incorrectly using body mechanics, repeated twisting and bending, continuously longtime sitting, and using ergonomically improper tools were found to be significantly associated with LBP. Conclusion The point prevalence of LBP among RMG workers is 41.6%. Only male gender is associated with the presence of LBP. This study showed that working in an awkward position, stationary position for a long time, incorrectly using body mechanics, repeated twisting, and bending had significant associations with LBP. Training programs that instruct proper weight-bearing skills should be encouraged by factories. The occurrence of LBP must also be reduced by regularly performing screening activities to detect it, with a special focus on married people, overweight or obese, and older-aged people.

Keywords

• Back pain
• Low back pain
• LBP
• Industrial workers
• Risk factors
• RMG workers