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Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2016

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.
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Metadata
Title
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
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-016-1180-y

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