Association Between Manual Handling of Loads and Occupational Low Back Pain: A Case-Control Study with Brazilians Workers

Abstract

The association between Manual Handling of Loads (MHL) and Occupational Low Back Pain (OLBP) in Brazilian workers was investigated. With this objective, a case-control study was conducted with 84 workers from different productive sectors. The data, collected by means of filling forms and by specific measuring instruments, were statistically treated with a significance level fixed at p < 0.05. The association between variables was accomplished by the technique of multiple logistic regression. The results indicated that the OLBP was statistically associated with the unitization of loads. (OR = 18.57), package handle (OR = 3.60), load weight (OR = 2.15), task frequency (OR = 7.35), distance traveled (OR = 2.04), trunk flexion (OR = 1.96), trunk rotation (OR = 1.41) and amount of load (OR = 1.17). This association indicate that ergonomic interventions should be implemented because recurrences of low back pain episodes may evolve to chronic cases and result in the functional incapacity of the worker.