Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is an important public health issue, being of widespread and of a considerable negative social, psychosocial, and economic influence. Majority of health care professionals of almost all countries has the risk of musculoskeletal system disorders. LBP is considered one of the most important causes of morbidity among health care workers (HCWs) that affects their work.

Low back pain (LBP) in HCWs generally results from an acute traumatic event, but it may also be caused by cumulative trauma. Mechanical LBP due to cumulative trauma tends to occur more commonly in the workplace. The risk groups of low back pain among healthcare professionals are physicians, dentists, nurses, physiotherapist, laboratory workers and caregivers. Health care workers are exposed to shift duties which affects their psychological and physical health. So, the present was planned to find out prevalence of LBP among HCWs and its contributing factors.

Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 190 HCWs, aged 18 years to 16 years, working at S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur for more than one-year duration. All cadres of HCWs were included in sample population using probability proportionate to size (PPS).LBP was assessed by using SNMA criteria and its severity and psychological impact was assessed by using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively. Aggravating and relieving factors of LBP were studied. Numerical and count data was analyzed by using unpaired t-test and chi square test respectively. P-value <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: 24.74% of HCWs were suffering from LBP. Standing and flexion of spine were found most common aggravating factors (87.23% and 78.72% respectively). Rest was found as commonest relieving factor in 95.74% cases of LBP.

Conclusion: LBP is a major problem of HCWs and standing for long duration and flexion of spine are common aggravating factors. Rest is commonest relieving factor.

Keywords: Health Care Workers, Low Back Pain, Prevalence, Contributing factors.

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Yadav Rajeev

Department of Community Medicine, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India