title: Occupational risk factors for low back pain among drivers of three-wheelers in Sri Lanka.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately 5% of all households in Sri Lanka operate a three-wheeler as their primary source of income. However, very little is known about the occupational health risks associated with driving these vehicles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess occupational risk factors, including the number of hours worked associated with the 4-week prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among drivers of three-wheelers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were administered to 200 full-time drivers of three-wheelers from the Galle District in Sri Lanka. Occupational, psychological, socio-demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to investigate the correlation between occupational risk factors of the prevalence of LBP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  15·5% of respondents reported experiencing LBP in the previous 4 months. Univariate analysis revealed that the number of hours worked per week, feeling pressure to compete with other drivers, and perceived stress scale scores were significantly associated with the 4-week prevalence of LBP. Multivariate analysis found that the number of hours worked per week and engine type were significantly associated with LBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LBP is common among drivers of three-wheelers in Sri Lanka. Long work hours and two-stroke engines were significantly associated with LBP. Results from this study point towards a role for educational, behavioral health, and policy interventions to help prevent and reduce LBP among these drivers.
authors.forename: Misa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Vijitha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: DeSilva
authors.forename: Pasindu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sapukotana
authors.forename: Asela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DeSilva
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirkorowicz
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Truls
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Østbye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Informal sector; Low back pain,; Musculoskeletal pain,; Occupational health,; Sri Lanka,; Vibration,