Prevalence and associated risk factors of low‐back pain in textile fishing net manufacturing

This study examined the 7‐day prevalence of low‐back pain (LBP; i.e., pain within the preceding week of the survey) and identified associated factors, including working posture, for a population of fishing net assembly workers. LBP is a serious problem in manual work with high prevalence and affects worker absenteeism. A cross‐sectional survey study was conducted among textile fish net industrial workers using a structured questionnaire (hand delivered by researchers and independently completed by workers). The 7‐day prevalence of LBP in this study was 68.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 65 to 72%). Work factors significantly related to LBP included prolonged standing and walking. Workers 35 years old or greater were significantly more likely to experience LBP within the past 7 days preceding the survey than were those 34 years old or less (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 4.9; 95% CI: 2.4 to 10.3; p = .0001). Other significant factors associated with LBP included posture position, specifically stooping (ORadj = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.3; p = .033), lifting (ORadj = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.4; p = .025), and high concentration jobs (ORadj = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.7; p = .001), respectively. LBP among textile fish net workers is a serious problem meriting ergonomic evaluation and design of control measures for reducing worker exposure to risk factors. Work characteristics were more significantly associated with LBP than were individual characteristics. Factories need to consider adjusting work conditions to prevent worker low‐back injuries.