Ergonomic Risk Factors and Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Bus Drivers

Case Report

Austin J Musculoskelet Disord. 2016; 3(1): 1028.

Ergonomic Risk Factors and Prevalence of Low Back Pain among Bus Drivers

Fadhli MZK1*, Humairah NHR1, Khairul NMI1, Kaswandi MA1 and Junaidah Z2

1Universiti Kuala Lumpur Institute of Medical Science Technology, Taman Kajang Sentral 1, 43000 Kajang Selangor, Malaysia

2Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia

*Corresponding author: Fadhli MZK, University Kuala Lumpur Institute of Medical Science Technology, Taman Kajang Sentral 1, 43000 Kajang Selangor, Malaysia

Received: January 17, 2016; Accepted: February 25, 2016; Published: March 01, 2016

Abstract

A research has been conducted among 96 bus drivers in Johor Bahru, Malaysia to determine the prevalence of Low Back Pain and determine its association with several ergonomic risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted by using the modified version of ‘Standardized Nordic Questionnaire’ that consisted of three parts; the respondent details, complaints on low back pain and potential risk factors. The Chi-Square Test was used as the statistical analysis in order to determine the association between the prevalence of low back pain and ergonomic risk factors. Results have shown that (1) prevalence of low back pain was 74%, (2) working hours per week [p=0.001], workspace condition [p=0.003] and body posture [p=0.000] were associated with low back pain. The ergonomic risk factors will exposed the drivers to the higher level in generating low back pain, meanwhile, the condition of the buses may affected the degree of sickness among this population. In overall, the assessment on various ergonomic risk factors and the maintenance of buses should be the priority to protect safety and health among the employees.

Keywords: Low Back Pain; Ergonomic risk factors; Occupational safety and health; Bus driver

Introduction

Ergonomist around the world has identified some of ergonomic risk factors related to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) such as repetitive work, work in extreme conditions and postures, vibration and work with forceful movement [1]. There are evidences by many researchers that the MSDs especially Low Back Pain (LBP) affected the occupational workers including drivers [2]. It is believed that most of the drivers experienced high risk in developing LBP due to ergonomic risk factors such as prolonged sitting and vibration [3]. It was found that 81% of American bus drivers and 49% of Swedish bus drivers had reported with LBP [4]. In Malaysia, a study showed that there is high prevalence of LBP among bus drivers which is 60.4% [5].

This paper is an attempt to identify the prevalence of low back pain and describe the potential risk factors associated with LBP among bus drivers in Johor Bahru.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was implemented among 96 respondents using the modified version of Standardized Nordic Questionnaire to obtain prevalence of low back pain [6]. It consists of (i) sociodemographic information such as age, race, marital status, education level and (ii) potential ergonomic risk factors such as duration of driving, sitting posture and workstation conditions. The statistical analysis used in this study was Chi-Square Test (p<0.05=significant) in order to determine the association between the ergonomic risk factors and prevalence of Low Back Pain.

Results and Discussion

As stated in (Table 1), 74% (n=71) of the respondents had experienced pain at the lower back of their body, meanwhile, 26% (n=25) had no complaints at the lower back.