Factors contributing to low back pain in workers involved in prolonged standing occupational requirements

Abstract

Nearly half of all employees worldwide are required to stand for more than 75% of their workdays. Prolonged standing is an occupational risk factor giving rise to numerous complications, especially Low Back Pain (LBP). The present study assesses factors contributing to LBP in occupations requiring prolonged standing. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 135 workers in occupations requiring prolonged standing with or without complaints of LBP. Back pain status, working posture, repetitive actions, core strength, flexibility, and foot posture were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using Spearman's correlation coefficient with alpha set at p<0.05 at a 95% confidence interval (CI), and logistic regression analysis was performed to find the odds ratio (OR). A significant correlation was observed between the back pain status with working posture and the foot posture. The percentage of prolonged standing time, repetition, core strength, and flexibility did not show any correlation with back pain status. Work posture and foot posture are major contributing factors in causing LBP in workers involved in prolonged standing occupations.