title: Fear-avoidance beliefs and pain coping strategies in relation to lower back problems in a South African steel industry.
abstract: The objective was to determine the association between the prevalence of lower back problems (LBP), fear-avoidance beliefs and pain coping strategies using an analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study among a group of 366 workers in a South African stainless steel industry. Outcome (LBP) was defined using a questionnaire and a functional rating index. Exposure to psychosocial risk was determined using the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs (FABQ) and Coping Strategies (CSQ) questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression analyses for LBP indicated the following significant risk factors: work-related fear-avoidance beliefs (OR 3.40; 95% CI 2.20-5.25), catastrophizing (1.31; 1.01-1.7) and pain coping self statements (1.47; 1.16-1.87). Significant protective associations were found for increased activity levels (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.42-0.78). These findings have utility in preventative screening procedures to identify workers with such beliefs and coping strategies who are at risk for prolonged work restrictions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences, LC de Villiers Sport Centre, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa. bernard.vanvuuren@up.ac.za
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: van Vuuren
authors.forename: Hendrik J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: van Heerden
authors.forename: Piet J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Evert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zinzen
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeusen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013019:South Africa; D013232:Steel
chemical_list: D013232:Steel