An investigation into the incidence of low back pain in hospital workers

Clinical concerns have been expressed at the seemingly high number of hospital workers suffering from low back problems. The literature indicates that this condition is a recognized source of incapacitation, suffering and economic loss, especially in industrialized nations. The purpose of this study was to quantify the incidence of low back disorders and to describe some factors associated with them. This was a retrospective study of the accident report forms filed in the occupational health department of a large general hospital. Data were collected over a two year period and SPSS routines were used to calculate descriptive statistics on twelve variables. The total number of reported back injuries was 171 which represents 10 percent of the total number of injuries reported. The nursing profession reported 102 low back injuries or 60 percent of the low back injuries reported. Other factors such as work time lost, location in hospital where injury occurred, age, activity associated with injury were recorded. The data provide useful information concerning low back injuries in this occupational group and thus form a basis for further investigation of some of the factors reported.