The prevalence of and risk factors for back pain among home care nursing personnel in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND: There is a large gap in research with regard to back pain (BP) among home care nursing personnel (HCNP); only seven studies have been conducted worldwide. There is a need to identify the magnitude of and risk factors for BP that are unique to Hong Kong (HK) HCNP. METHODS: A total population sampling technique was employed in this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses were used to control for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of upper and lower BP was 71.2% (n=265). Three predictors were identified: physical risk factors in the office (OR=3.57, 95% CI=1.55-8.24), static postures (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.04-1.90), and psychological job demands (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.01-1.22). CONCLUSION: HCNP in HK have a high prevalence of BP. BP in HK HCNP is independently attributable to physical work factors in the office, static postures, and psychological job demands, and is not primarily associated with patient lifting and transferring which are traditionally identified as risk factors for BP in hospital nursing personnel. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:14-22, 2006.