Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2016 | Research article
Prevalence and its risk factors for low back pain among operation and maintenance personnel in wind farms
Authors:
Ning Jia, Tao Li, Shuangqiu Hu, Xinhe Zhu, Kang Sun, Long Yi, Qiong Zhang, Guilian Luo, Yuzhen Li, Xueyan Zhang, Yongen Gu, Zhongxu Wang
Published in:
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|
Issue 1/2016
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Abstract
Background
With the increasingly severe energy shortage and climate change problems, developing wind power has become a key energy development strategy and an inevitable choice to protect the ecological environment worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and analyze its risk factors among operation and maintenance personnel in wind farms (OMPWF).
Methods
A cross-sectional survey of 151 OMPWF was performed, and a comprehensive questionnaire, which was modified and combined from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires (NMQ), Washington State Ergonomics Tool (WSET) and Syndrome Checklist-90(SCL-90) was used to assess the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among OMPWF.
Results
The prevalence of LBP was 88.74 % (134/151) among OMPWF. The multivariable model highlighted four related factors: backrest, somatization, squatting and lifting objects weighing more than 10 lb more than twice per minute.
Conclusions
The prevalence of LBP among OMPWF appears to be high and highlights a major occupational health concern.