title: Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among Thai and Myanmar migrant seafood processing factory workers in Samut Sakorn Province, Thailand.
abstract: This study assessed the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and investigated risk factors for LBP among seafood processing factory workers in Thailand including migrant workers. The subjects were Thai and Myanmar workers in the typical seafood processing factory. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence of LBP, general characteristics, life style, and working condition were investigated. The associations between LBP and risk factors were estimated by multiple logistic regression models. Of 254 workers, 165 completed the questionnaire. Half of these workers were Thai, the others were from Myanmar. The point prevalence of LBP was 28.5%. Risk factors for LBP were age over 40 yr, poor health status, history of back injury, twisting posture at work, and slipping on wet floors. The results suggest that health promotion should focus on working conditions rather than individual life style in order to prevent LBP. Furthermore, greater attention to other risk factors such as history of back injury and perception of health status after regular health check up, especially in older age groups may be needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. tomita07@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomita
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arphorn
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muto
authors.forename: Kanatid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koetkhlai
authors.forename: Saw Sandy
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Naing
authors.forename: Chalermchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaikittiporn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D002052:Myanmar / Q000208:ethnology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017747:Seafood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*