title: Prevalence of low back symptoms and its consequences in relation to occupational group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the prevalence of low back symptoms (LBS) and its consequences (reduced activities and absenteeism); (2) the association between occupational group and LBS; and (3) the association between LBS and its consequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of LBS in 1,294 Indonesian coal mining workers. A Cox proportional hazards model was developed to quantify the 12-monthly hazard of LBS. Logistic regression models were developed to identify risk factors for reduced activity and absenteeism from the workplace.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 12-month period prevalence for LBS, reduced activities, and absenteeism were 75%, 16%, and 13%, respectively. The 12-monthly hazard of LBS for blue-collar workers was 1.85 (95% CI: 1.06-3.25) times that of white-collar workers. LBS and smoking increased the risk of reduced activity and absenteeism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indonesian coal mining workers have a high prevalence of LBS. The findings imply that efforts to reduce LBS and in the workplace should focus on blue-collar workers. For smokers who report reduced activities and/or absenteeism, there should be a focus on rehabilitation and/or return-to-work programs.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ergonomics, Occupational Safety and Health, School of Management, College of Business, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. baiduri@ui.ac.id
authors.forename: Baiduri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Widanarko
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Legg
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Devereux
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D003032:Coal Mining; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult