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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Prevalence of low back pain and associated occupational factors among Chinese coal miners

Authors: Guangxing Xu, Dong Pang, Fengying Liu, Desheng Pei, Sheng Wang, Liping Li

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Very few studies have evaluated the association between occupational factors and low back pain (LBP) among miners. The epidemiological data on LBP in Chinese miners are limited. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of low back pain in Chinese coal miners and to investigate the role of occupational factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine 1573 coal miners in northern China. The prevalence of LBP over a 12-month period was assessed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Odds ratios were calculated to examine the association between the prevalence of LBP over a 12-month period and occupational factors using logistic regression.

Results

Among the coal miners, 64.9% self-reported LBP in a 12-month period. Occupational factors associated with LBP were identified, including tasks with a high degree of repetitiveness (OR 1.3, 95%CI 1.0-1.6), tasks characterized by a high level of physical demand (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.8), posture requiring extreme bending (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-1.7) and insufficient recovery time (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.8).

Conclusion

Low back pain is common among Chinese miners. There were strong associations with occupational factors.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of low back pain and associated occupational factors among Chinese coal miners
Authors
Guangxing Xu
Dong Pang
Fengying Liu
Desheng Pei
Sheng Wang
Liping Li
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-149

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