title: Lower back problems and work-related risks in a South African manganese factory.
abstract: An analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study carried out among 109 manganese plant workers aimed to examine the prevalence and association between lower back problems (LBP) and occupational risk factors. Outcome was defined using a guided questionnaire and a functional rating index. Exposure to occupational risk factors was determined using self-reported questionnaires and workstation analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated significant adjusted odds ratios (OR) for prolonged 90 degrees trunk flexion (OR 2.16; CI 1.15-4.05); manual handling (1.89; 1.17-3.08); load carriage (1.54; 1.08-2.19); and lifting (4.61; 1.37-15.47). The findings illustrate regional and occupational specifics of risk for LBP, and indicate that self-selection or adaptation to task-specific demands could possibly lead to observations of ergonomically relevant risk factors, which do not necessarily yield statistically significant associations with LBP. The findings further support multi-modal preventative approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences, LC de Villiers Sport Centre, University of Pretoria, South Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa. bernard.vanvuuren@up.ac.za
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
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: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese; D008669:Metallurgy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese