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Association between Physical Workload and Work-related Back Pain: A Nationwide Study  

Oh, Jae-Il (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Yoo, Dong-Hyun (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Paek, Do-Myung (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Park, Jung-Sun (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
Cho, Sung-Il (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine / v.23, no.3, 2011 , pp. 298-308 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: To date, no population-based epidemiological studies have estimated the association between physical workload (standing or walking, carrying heavy loads, carrying people, repetitive hand or arm movements, wearing protective equipment) and work-related back pain in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical workload and work-related back pain using a nationwide survey. Methods: We analyzed data obtained from working men and women age 15 to 64 (n=10,043) who participated in the 2006 national working condition survey of random sample workers in Korea. Using both simple and multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between physical workload and workrelated back pain was evaluated. Results: Carrying heavy loads, repetitive hand or arm movements, and wearing protective equipment were associated with an increased risk of work-related back pain. Conclusions: This study identifies that an increased risk of work-related back pain related to the nature and intensity of the physical workload of the general working population in Korea. We also found a strong association between repetitive hand or arm movements and back pain.
Keywords
Workload; Back pain; Workers; Korea;
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