title: Back pain among farmers in a northern area of China.
abstract: METHODS
  This was a population-based survey conducted in 2008 in a northern area of China.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate back pain prevalence and to examine the associations between potential risk factors and back pain among Chinese farmers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Few studies have investigated back pain and its associated risk factors among farmers in low-income and developing nations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Farmers ages 15 years and older were chosen from 800 families in Heilongjiang province of the People's Republic of China using cluster sampling methods. Complete survey data were obtained from 2045 farmers. The prevalence of self-reported back pain during the previous 3 months was reported. Associations between back pain and potential risk factors, which included age, gender, education levels, perceived stress, main farm activities, smoking, and drinking status, were examined in logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 786 (38.4%) farmers reported back pain. Two-thirds of those with back pain (66.0%) reported that back pain affected work quantity and quality. The adjusted odds ratios of reporting back pain increased with advancing age. Females and farmers who experienced stress regularly were also more likely to report back pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Back pain is a common problem among Chinese farmers and is reported more frequently by females. Significant positive associations of gender, age, and perceived stress with back pain warrant additional study.
authors.affiliation: Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaotong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Limin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lorann
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stallones
authors.forename: Krista K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: Weiyan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Huiyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000383:Agriculture; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires