Risk Factors and Ergonomic Determinants of Low Back Pain in Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Risk Factors and Ergonomic Determinants of Low Back Pain in Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study Hamza Razzaq Sindhu, Saima Naz Mohsin, Meer Hassan Lucky, Muhammad Abdullah, and 8 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background : Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting healthcare workers, impacting their productivity and well-being. This study aims to evaluate the frequency, demographic, and ergonomic determinants of LBP among healthcare workers in Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology : A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore with 313 healthcare workers, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and medical students. Participants were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The study examined demographic factors, BMI, sleep, and working conditions such as work experience, working hours, and physical tasks associated with LBP. Results : The lifetime prevalence of LBP among healthcare workers was 62.62%, with a point prevalence of 24%. Female gender, age >30, marital status, and BMI >25 were significantly associated with LBP. Prolonged working hours (>35 hours/week) and extended work experience (>6 years) were significant ergonomic determinants of point prevalence LBP. Nurses and surgeons exhibited a near-significant association between continuous standing hours and LBP. Conclusion : LBP is a significant occupational health issue among healthcare workers in Lahore. Interventions focusing on ergonomic improvements, work schedule adjustments, and targeted health policies are essential to reduce LBP prevalence and its associated burdens. Low back pain healthcare workers ergonomics musculoskeletal disorders occupational health demographic factors Pakistan. HIGHLIGHTS Low back pain (LBP) was highly prevalent (62.62%) among healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Female gender, age >30 years, marital status, and BMI >25 were significantly associated with lifetime prevalence of LBP. Long working hours (>35 hours/week) and work experience >6 years were key ergonomic risk factors for point prevalence of LBP. Job category was significantly associated with LBP, with physicians and surgeons more affected than medical students and nurses. Targeted ergonomic interventions and scheduling adjustments are urgently needed to reduce LBP and improve healthcare workforce well-being. BACKGROUND Pain between the 12th rib and the inferior gluteal folds, with or without sciatica, is referred to as Low Back Pain (LBP) [ 1 ]. Numerous studies have shown low back pain to be one of the most widespread musculoskeletal conditions [ 2 ]. According to the United States burden of Disease Collaborators, LBP is ranked third among all illnesses and injuries contributing to disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and is a leading cause of activity restriction in people below 45 [ 3 ]. It is an important public health problem as it can become an economic threat regarding lost work days [ 4 ]. LBP affects 570 million people globally and is responsible for 7.4% of years lived with disability (YLD). LBP in the global population ranges between 15 and 45% [ 5 ]. According to research from India, young individuals experience 42.47% of the annual prevalence of low back pain [ 6 ]. Individual, work-related, and psychosocial determinants contribute to low back discomfort [ 7 ]. As far as ergonomic factors are concerned at the workplace, frequent standing or crouching, carrying heavy objects, remaining in the same posture for a very long time, using vibration tools, frequently rotating body and trunk, and working in a bent position for an extended period are all linked with low back pain [ 8 ]. Healthcare workers are more likely to experience LBP because their job involves long standing hours, lack of physical activity, sitting in the same position, bending forward for long surgeries, carrying, or shifting patients, and physical and psychological stress. According to one study, the prevalence of low back pain among healthcare personnel in the previous 12 months was 73.9% [ 9 ], while another study found the prevalence to be 61.3% [ 10 ]. Low back pain is frequent among healthcare providers globally, but the incidence and intensity vary among regions due to different lifestyles, medical practices, and levels of awareness. Nurses are more likely than other healthcare professionals to experience low back discomfort with its medical and occupational repercussions, such as receiving medical care, seeking medical leave, and getting early retirement [ 11 , 12 ]. Additionally, a study in Turkey showed that female healthcare professionals were likelier to have lower back pain than their male counterparts [ 13 ]. A rise in the frequency of low back pain among medical professionals can jeopardise the healthcare system [ 14 ]. A recent study in Karachi found that 70% of medical practitioners suffer from low back pain [ 15 ]. Another study in Lahore found that doctors' frequency of low back pain was 51.55% [ 16 ]. In countries with limited resources, such as Pakistan, there is a failure to apply ergonomic principles. The wide range of work-related elements covered by ergonomics principles allows employers to establish the optimal fit, i.e., to fit the job to the worker's abilities rather than needing them to adjust to the job. Numerous musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including lower back pain, are brought on by neglecting the principles of ergonomics [ 17 ]. Prior studies have demonstrated that low back pain is a great threat to health worldwide and an important cause of morbidity. However, as far as we know, low back pain and its contributing variables need to be better studied in Pakistan, particularly among healthcare employees. They have long and hectic working hours and physical and psychological stress, making them more prone to musculoskeletal disorders. Through this research, we aimed to evaluate ergonomic and demographic determinants linked with low back pain and its frequency among healthcare workers to increase the pool of knowledge encourage following the principles of ergonomics and promote the health of healthcare providers. METHODOLOGY The present study was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. This study was performed to study the frequency and associated factors of low back pain among healthcare workers. For this purpose, healthcare workers including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and medical students of clinical years, were included. Participants above 45 years of age and those with a history of vertebral fracture, trauma, surgery, pregnancy, and rheumatic disease were excluded from the study. A sample size of 318 was calculated with 0.05% precision and a 95% confidence level, and the estimated frequency of low back pain was 43% [ 18 ] for the 2000 population. For sampling, the population was divided into subgroups (strata) based on job category, and then a convenient sampling technique was applied. Written informed consent was obtained, and data were collected from 331 participants using a self-administered questionnaire in two parts. The first part included demographic details and variables to be studied, which included height, weight, working conditions (duration of work, working hours in a week a day, standing and sitting time in a day, carrying or shifting patients), and sleeping hours in a day, and the second part was the low back portion of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire [ 19 ], including lifetime frequency of low back pain and point prevalence (in last seven days). Data entry and analysis were carried out using SPSS version 22.0. Frequency was calculated for demographic determinants and BMI, and the Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were applied to study the statistical association of all study variables with low back pain. Association of gender, age, marital status, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients with LBP in the last seven days (point prevalence) was determined using chi-square. Association of gender, age, marital status, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients with LBP in a lifetime (lifetime prevalence) was determined using chi-square. Binary logistic regression was also performed to further confirm the effect of gender, age, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having LBP in the last seven days (point prevalence). Data were collected from participants with informed consent after approval from the Institutional Review and Advisory Board Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex. RESULTS Out of 313 participants, 35.5% were males, and 64.5% were females. More than half of the participants were ≤ 30 years of age, and 34.5% were married. The BMI of 67.4% of participants was ≤ 25, and 32.6% had a BMI > 25. A summary of the demographic characteristics of the participants is given in Table 1 . Table 1 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS OF STUDY VARIABLES Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Gender Male 111 35.5 Female 202 64.5 Age (years) ≤ 30 241 77.0 > 30 72 23.0 Married Yes 108 34.5 No 205 65.5 Job Category Physicians 83 26.5 Surgeons 67 21.4 Medical Students 84 26.8 Nurses 79 25.2 It was observed that 27.2% of females had LPB in the last seven days compared to 18% of males, and female gender was found to be nearly statistically significant (p = 0.06). The association of marital status with LBP in the last seven days was assessed, and 30.6% of married participants had LBP in the last seven days compared to 20.5% of unmarried participants with LBP in the last seven days, with a p-value of 0.04; hence, being married was found to be statistically significant with LBP in the last seven days. The association of work experience with LBP in the last seven days was also determined, and 32.8% of participants with > 6 years of work experience had LBP in the last seven days compared to 21.7% of participants ≤ 6 years of work experience, and increased work experience was found to be nearly statistically significant (p = 0.06). Similarly, 26.1% of participants with > 35 working hours/week experienced LBP in the last seven days compared to 8.1% of participants with ≤ 35 working hours/week, which was statistically significant (p = 0.01). A summary is given in Table 2 . Table 2 ASSOCIATION OF POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH STUDY VARIABLES Variables Point Prevalence of LBP (in last 7 days) Total Chi-square p-value Yes n (%) No n (%) n Gender Male Female 20(18.0) 55(27.2) 91(82) 147(72.8) 111 202 3.335 0.06 Age ≤ 30 years > 30 years 55(22.8) 20(27.8) 186(77.2) 52(72.2) 241 72 0.747 0.38 Marriage Yes No 33(30.6) 42(20.5) 75(69.4) 163(79.5) 108 205 3.935 0.04 BMI ≤ 25 kg/m 2 > 25 kg/m 2 47(22.3) 28(27.5) 164(77.7) 74(72.5) 211 102 1.011 0.31 Sleep ≤ 7 hours > 7 hours 25(21.6) 50(25.4) 91(78.4) 147(74.6) 116 197 0.587 0.44 Job category 24(28.9) 12(17.9) 17(20.2) 22(27.8) 59(71.1) 55(82.1) 67(79.8) 57(72.2) 83 67 84 79 3.759 0.28 Physicians Surgeons Medical students Nurses Work Experience 54(21.7) 21(32.8) 195(78.3) 43(67.2) 249 64 3.459 0.06 ≤ 6 Years > 6 Years Working hours/week 3(8.1) 72(26.1) 34(91.9) 204(73.9) 37 276 5.788 0.01 ≤ 35 Hours > 35 Hours Continuous Standing hours/day 22(19.5) 53(26.5) 91(80.5) 147(73.5) 113 200 1.959 0.16 ≤ 4 Hours > 4 Hours Continuous Sitting/day 13(28.9) 62(23.1) 32(71.1) 206(76.9) 45 268 0.700 0.40 ≤ 2 Hours > 2 Hours Carry or Shift Patients/day 14(24.1) 61(23.9) 44(75.9) 194(76.1) 58 255 0.001 0.97 Yes No It was found that 66.8% of females and 55% of males had LBP during their lifetime, and the association of female gender with LBP during their lifetime was statistically significant (p = 0.03). An association of age with LBP during their lifetime was observed, and 75% of participants with LBP during their lifetime were > 30 years of age, while 58.9% of participants with LBP during their lifetime were ≤ 30 years of age. The association of increasing age with LBP during their lifetime was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.01). The effect of marital status on the lifetime prevalence of LBP was determined, and 73.1% of married and 57.1% of unmarried participants experienced LBP during their lifetime with a p-value of 0.005; hence, the association of being married with the lifetime prevalence of LBP was statistically significant. An association of BMI with LBP during their lifetime was also observed, and 71.6% of participants with > 25 kg/m 2 BMI and 58.3% of participants with ≤ 25 kg/m 2 BMI reported LBP during their lifetime, which was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Moreover, the effect of job category was also observed, and 77.1% of physicians, 61.2% of surgeons, 60.8% of nurses, and 51.2% of medical students were found to have LBP during lifetime with a p-value of 0.006; hence, job category was found to be statistically significant with LBP during lifetime. A summary is given in Table 3 . Table 3 ASSOCIATION OF LIFETIME PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH STUDY VARIABLES Variables Lifetime Prevalence of LBP Total Chi-square p-value Yes n (%) No n (%) n Gender Male Female 61(55) 135(66.8) 50(45) 67(33.2) 111 202 4.317 0.03 Age ≤ 30 years > 30 years 142(58.9) 54(75) 99(41.1) 18(25) 241 72 6.123 0.01 Marriage Yes No 79(73.1) 117(57.1) 29(26.9) 88(42.9) 108 205 7.809 0.005 BMI ≤ 25 kg/m 2 > 25 kg/m 2 123(58.3) 73(71.6) 88(41.7) 29(28.4) 211 102 5.177 0.02 Sleep ≤ 7 hours > 7 hours 73(62.9) 123(62.4) 43(37.1) 74(37.6) 116 197 0.008 0.93 Job category 64(77.1) 41(61.2) 43(51.2) 48(60.8) 19(22.9) 26(38.8) 41(48.8) 31(39.2) 83 67 84 79 12.306 0.006 Physicians Surgeons Medical students Nurses Work Experience 150(60.2) 46(71.9) 99(39.8) 18(28.1) 249 64 2.944 0.08 ≤ 6 Years > 6 Years Working hours/week 20(54.1) 176(63.8) 17(45.9) 100(37.4) 37 276 1.315 0.25 ≤ 35 Hours > 35 Hours Continuous Standing hours/day 70(61.9) 126(63) 43(38.1) 74(37) 113 200 0.034 0.85 ≤ 4 Hours > 4 Hours Continuous Sitting/day 27(60) 169(63.1) 18(40) 99(36.9) 45 268 0.154 0.69 ≤ 2 Hours > 2 Hours Carry or Shift Patients/day 32(55.2) 164(64.3) 26(44.8) 91(35.7) 58 255 1.687 0.19 Yes No The effect of working conditions such as work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients was also studied separately in physicians, surgeons, medical students, and nurses. It was observed that standing time in a day was nearly statistically significant in nurses (p = 0.06) and surgeons (p = 0.07). Moreover, working hours/week was statistically significant in medical students (p = 0.02). A summary is given in Table 4 . Table 4 ASSOCIATION OF POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH WORKING CONDITIONS Working Conditions Physicians Surgeons Medical Students Nurses LBP in the last 7 days LBP in the last 7 days LBP in the last 7 days LBP in the last 7 days Yes N (%) χ P value Yes N (%) χ P value Yes N (%) χ P value Yes N (%) χ P value Work Experience 19 (27.1) 5(38.5) 0.683 0.40 9 (16.1) 3(27.3) 0.785 0.37 15(18.8) 2(50) 2.305 0.12 11(25.6) 11(30.6) 0.241 0.62 ≤ 6 years > 6 years Work Hours/week 2(28.6) 22(28.9) 0.000 0.98 0(0.0) 12(18.8) 0.685 0.40 1(4.3) 16(26.2) 4.954 0.02 0(0.0) 22(29.3) 1.626 0.20 ≤ 35 Hours > 35Hours Continuous Standing Hours/day 10(31.3) 14(27.5) 0.138 0.71 0(0.0) 12(21.8) 3.189 0. 07 12(19.7) 5(21.7) 0.044 0.83 0(0.0) 22(31) 3.436 0.06 ≤ 4 Hours > 4 Hours Continuous Sitting Hours/day 4(33.3) 20(28.9) 0.133 0.71 1(12.5) 11(18.6) 0.181 0.671 0(0.0) 17(20.5) 0.257 0.61 8(33.3) 14(25.5) 0.516 0.47 ≤ 2 Hours > 2 Hours Carry or Shift Patients 2(40) 22(28.2) 0.318 0.57 3(33.3) 9(15.5) 1.682 0.195 0(0.0) 17(21.3) 1.066 0.30 9(22.5) 13(33.3) 1.153 0.28 Yes No To further ascertain the results, a binary logistic regression was performed to confirm the effect of gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having low back pain in the last seven days (point prevalence). The Binary Logistic Regression Model was statistically significant, and χ = 13.351. This indicates that the model adequately fits the data. The model explained Nagelkerke R 2 = 9.4%. It shows that a 9.4% change in low back pain can be accounted for by predictor variables (gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients) in the model. The model also classified 76% of participants with low back pain at any time. A summary is given in Table 5 . Table 5 EFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP VARIABLES (Reference Category) CRUDE ODDS RATIO ADJUSTED ODDS RATIO 95% CI For Adj. Odds ratio p-value LOWER UPPER Gender(male) 0.587 1.589 0.810 3.116 0.17 Age (≤ 30) 0.769 0.696 0.266 1.820 0.46 BMI (≤ 25) 0.757 1.289 0.691 2.405 0.42 Sleep (≤ 7 hours) 0.808 0.158 0.844 2.824 0.15 Surgeons(physicians) 1.864 0.623 0.261 1.487 0.28 Medical students(physicians) 1.603 1.075 0.402 2.878 0.88 nurses(physicians) 1.054 0.628 0.219 1.802 0.38 Work experience (≤ 6 years) 0.567 2.488 0.967 6.402 0.05 Prolonged Sitting hour (< 2 hours) 1.350 1.185 0.536 2.618 0.67 Prolonged Standing hours (≤ 4 hours) 0.671 0.620 0.312 1.234 0.17 Working hours/week (≤ 35 hours) 0.250 0.223 0.064 0.780 0.01 Carry patients 1.012 7.464 0.527 2.662 0.68 Ergonomic determinants (dup: abstract ?) Participants with > 6 years of work experience (AOR = 2.488; 95% C.I. 0.967, 6.402) had more LBP in the last seven days, and the association of the point prevalence of LBP with work experience was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Participants with > 35 working hours/week (AOR = 0.223; C.I. 0.064, 0.780) were also found to exhibit more LBP in the last seven days, and the association of working hours/week was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.01). Binary logistic regression was also performed to confirm the effect of sex, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having low back pain during lifetime. The Binary Logistic Regression Model was statistically significant, and χ = 5.884. This indicates that the model adequately fits the data. The model explained Nagelkerke R 2 = 11.8%. It shows that an 11.8% change in low back pain can be accounted for by predictor variables (gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, routine of carrying or shifting patients) in the model. The model also classified 66.8% of participants with low back pain at any time. The model exhibited good sensitivity and predicted that 85.2% of participants would have low back pain. A summary is given in Table 6 . Table 6 EFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON LIFETIME PREVALENCE OF LBP VARIABLES (Reference Category) CRUDE ODDS RATIO ADJUSTED ODDS RATIO 95% CI For Adj. Odds ratio p-value LOWER UPPER Gender(male) 0.605 1.887 1.059 3.363 0.03 Age(≤ 30) 0.478 1.582 0.637 3.929 0.32 BMI (≤ 25) 0.555 1.767 0.996 3.134 0.05 sleep(≤ 7 hours) 1.021 0.981 0.574 1.675 0.94 Surgeons(physicians) 2.136 0.351 0.149 0.824 0.01 Medical students(physicians) 3.212 0.745 0.316 1.757 0.50 nurses(physicians) 2.175 0.960 0.378 2.442 0.93 Work experience (≤ 6 years) 0.593 1.105 0.445 2.747 0.82 Prolonged Sitting hours(< 2 hours) 0.879 0.910 0.438 1.893 0.80 Prolonged Standing hours(≤ 4 hours) 0.956 1.117 0.608 2.052 0.72 Working hours/week (≤ 35 hours) 0.668 0.773 0.355 1.682 0.51 Carry patients 0.683 1.524 0.752 3.089 0.24 Demographic determinants Female participants (AOR = 1.887; 95% C.I. 1.059, 3.363) were more likely to exhibit low back pain at any time in life than males, and the association of female gender with low back pain at any point in life was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Participants with BMI > 25 kg/m 2 (AOR = 1.767; 95% C.I. 0.996, 3.134) were more likely to exhibit low back pain at any time in life compared to those with BMI ≤ 25 kg/m 2, and the association of BMI > 25 kg/m 2 with low back pain at any time in life was statistically significant (p = 0.05). The job category of surgeons was associated with an increased likelihood of low back pain at any point in life compared to physicians (p = 0.01). Ergonomic determinants Further binary logistic regression revealed that variables related to working conditions were not statistically associated with having low back pain at any point in life: working experience (AOR = 1.105; 95% C.I. 0.445, 2.747), prolonged sitting hours (AOR = 0.910; 95% C.I. 0.438, 1.893), prolonged standing hours (AOR = 1.117; 95% C.I. 0.608, 2.052) working hours/week (AOR = 0.773 95% C.I. 0.355, 1.682) and routine carrying or shifting of patients (AOR = 1.524; 95% C.I. 0.752, 3.089). DISCUSSION The main objective of our study was to identify the risk factors and ergonomic determinants of low back pain (LBP) and the point and lifetime frequency of LBP among healthcare workers. LBP is a common musculoskeletal problem and is currently a major health concern in developing countries [ 20 ]. According to our study, in which 313 participants were studied, the frequency of LBP during the lifetime among healthcare workers was 62.62%, and its frequency in the last seven days was 24%. A systematic review found a lifetime prevalence of 54.8% in healthcare personnel [ 21 ]. The risk factors that were studied included demographic factors (age, gender, marital status, and job category), BMI, sleep, and working conditions (work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, the routine of carrying or shifting patients) and their association with the frequency of low back pain. Considering individual risk factors, female healthcare workers showed a high lifetime prevalence (66.8%) with a statistically significant association with lifetime prevalence and a near-significant association with point prevalence of LBP. Most of the previously conducted studies also showed a high prevalence of LBP among female workers [ 22 ]. In our study, we found an increased prevalence of LBP in people aged > 30 years. A possible reason could be decreased estrogen levels in women with increasing age [ 23 ]. Advancing age is also one of the factors linked with LBP among healthcare staff [ 21 ]. Our findings are consistent with those of other researchers in that the point and lifetime prevalence of LBP were both high among married individuals compared to unmarried individuals, with a significant association between being married and LBP (lifetime prevalence p = 0.005, point prevalence p = 0.04), which is similar to the results of other studies [ 24 ]. Another study [ 25 ] demonstrated that widowed or separated individuals have a higher risk of having LBP than married or unmarried people due to psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, which have been linked with musculoskeletal disorders such as LBP [ 26 ]. Analysis of the results of our study confirmed that BMI > 25 has a statistically significant (p = 0.02) association with the lifetime prevalence of LBP. A systematic review in 2021 showed a significant relationship between normal BMI and reduced LBP [ 27 ]. Although BMI assesses obesity, it does not distinguish between lean and fat body mass. A study's findings confirm that the distribution of body fat and lean body mass is more closely linked with a chronic risk of low back pain than BMI [ 28 ]. According to a systematic review, many aspects of sleep, i.e., disturbed sleep, reduced duration, etc., are associated with chronic low back pain [ 29 ]. However, in our study, the association between sleep and LBP was insignificant. In our study, work experience of > 6 years shows a certain trend toward significance with a p = 0.06 in point prevalence and p = 0.08 in lifetime prevalence. This suggests that healthcare workers with over six years of working experience have a high prevalence of LBP due to the physically demanding nature of work tasks [ 30 ]. Increased duration of work leads to prolonged exposure to ergonomic risk factors. This study demonstrated the association of LBP with the lifetime prevalence among different healthcare workers in a particular order: physicians > surgeons > nurses > medical students, and it was found to be statistically significant. In contrast, a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland showed that musculoskeletal disorders are more prevalent among physically drained hospital nurses than other healthcare workers [ 31 ]. In our present study, > 35 working hours per week was found to be significantly associated with a higher point prevalence of LBP (p = 0.01). Long working hours, compared to standard working hours (35–40 hours/week), also cause attributable burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a systematic review [ 32 ]. Moreover, in assessing the association of point prevalence of LBP with different working conditions, we found that medical students who work > 35 hours per week have a statistically significant association with LBP. A cross-sectional study conducted among medical students at one Serbian university discovered a link between LBP and cigarette smoking, academic stress, and incorrect sleeping positions [ 33 ]. Moreover, we found continuous standing > 4 hours/day of surgeons and nurses to have a statistically near significant association with a point prevalence of LBP (p = 0.07 and p = 0.06, respectively). The results of our study were confirmed by a different study [ 34 ], which hints at standing for long periods by workers without being able to sit and walk during their working shifts. This is explained by the fact that surgeons and duty nurses must have prolonged standing hours in operating rooms during surgical procedures. This leads to greater chances of having LBP and other related medical conditions, i.e., Chronic venous insufficiency and prolonged standing is particularly harmful when one keeps standing in one place continuously [ 35 ]. Transferring patients is also associated with developing LBP [ 36 ]. However, in our study, an association between LBP and carrying or shifting patients was not found. In the binary logistic regression model, participants with > 6 years of work experience (AOR = 2.488, 95% C. = 0.967–6.402, p = 0.05) and > 35 working hours per week (AOR = 0.223, 95% C.I. I = 0.064–0.780, p = 0.01) had more LBP in the last seven days. Similarly, female participants compared to males (AOR = 1.887, 95% C.I.=1.059–3.363, p = 0.03), participants with BMI > 25 (AOR = 1.767, 95% C.I.=0.996–3.134, p = 0.05) and surgeons compared to physicians (AOR = 0.351, 95% C.I.=0.149–0.824, p = 0.01) had an increased likelihood of LBP at any point in time. Hence, in our study, it was observed that demographic factors and BMI are closely associated with the lifetime prevalence of LBP, while ergonomic factors are associated with the point prevalence of LBP. When compared to ergonomic factors, which change more frequently, such as working hours, standing hours per day, and sitting hours per day for the same person, their impact on acute low back pain or LBP in the last seven days is greater. Demographic factors such as gender, increasing age, and BMI do not vary much, so they are associated with the lifetime prevalence of LBP. The limitations of our study are that it was a single-centre study. The questionnaires we used were self-administered, and for the lifetime prevalence of LBP, recall bias can occur. A huge research gap in other regions of Pakistan needs to be met through newer studies. Some of the variables, such as demographic characteristics and ergonomic factors, are linked with LBP. To address these issues, adjustments in the working environment are required, such as improved hospital administration, favourable policies for healthcare employees, and increased staffing. Duty schedules should be tailored to workers' physical and mental capacities. The chairs and equipment utilised should be ergonomic. Healthcare professionals are an integral element of the healthcare system, and supporting their health translates to supporting improved patient care and healthcare delivery. Policymakers should take note of this. Therefore, additional research on them should be conducted, particularly in developing nations where the healthcare system falls short of international standards. CONCLUSION Our study highlights one of the most significant limiting constraints for healthcare professionals working at tertiary care hospitals: low back pain. It is prevalent among females, married individuals, and people with advanced age and high BMI, showing its possible risk factors. Considering these factors, the frequency of LBP can be reduced by making appropriate adjustments and performing additional research in low-resource settings. Healthcare providers are the main workforce of the healthcare system. The factors impairing their overall health affect the masses. To minimize the burden low back pain poses economically and physically, it is important to examine the ergonomic factors associated with it. The improvements in working conditions and working hours are crucial for the occupational health of healthcare workers, overall increased functioning of the healthcare system, and thus, decreased frequency of low back pain. Declarations Conflicts of interest/Competing interests The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Ethics approval Not applicable Consent to participate Not applicable Written Consent for publication Written informed Consent was taken prior to the collection of data. Provenance and peer review Not commissioned, externally peer-reviewed. Funding The authors declare that they received no funding for conducting and carrying out this study or for publishing this work. Author Contribution Hamza Razzaq Sindhu: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Saima Naz Mohsin: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Meer Hassan Lucky: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Muhammad Abdullah: Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Shabih-e Zahra: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Afeefa Shaheera Iqbal: Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Hafiza Asma Nazir: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Hamza Irfan: Formation and editing, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Ayesha Humayun : Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing.Ahmed Hazazi: Formal Analysis, Visualization, Validation, software, Writing reviewing & editingBabar Ali: Formal Analysis, Visualization, Validation, software, writing reviewing & editingAymar Akilimali: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review & editing. Acknowledgments Not applicable Availability of data and material Not applicable Code availability Not applicable References Krismer M, van Tulder M, Low Back Pain Group of the Bone and Joint Health Strategies for Europe Project. Strategies for prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Low back pain (non-specific). Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21(1):77–91. Çınar-Medeni Ö, Elbasan B, Duzgun I. Low back pain prevalence in healthcare professionals and identification of factors affecting low back pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(3):451–9. christopher Murray JL. The State of US Health, 1990–2010: Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors. JAMA. 2013;310(6):591–608. Maetzel A, Li L. The economic burden of low back pain: a review of studies published between 1996 and 2001. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2002;16(1):23–30. Parreira P, Maher CG, Steffens D, Hancock MJ, Ferreira ML. Risk factors for low back pain and sciatica: an umbrella review. Spine J. 2018;18(9):1715–21. Ganesan S, Acharya AS, Chauhan R, Acharya S. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in 1,355 Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Spine J. 2017;11(4):610–7. Belay MM, Worku A, Gebrie SA, Wamisho BL. Epidemiology of low back pain among nurses working in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. East Cent Afr J Surg. 2016;21(1):113–31. Jia N, Zhang M, Zhang H, Ling R, Liu Y, Li G et al. Prevalence and risk factors analysis for low back pain among occupational groups in key industries of China. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 May 12];22. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9354373/ Alnaami I, Awadalla NJ, Alkhairy M, Alburidy S, Alqarni A, Algarni A, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among health care workers in southwestern Saudi Arabia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20:56. Karahan A, Kav S, Abbasoglu A, Dogan N. Low back pain: prevalence and associated risk factors among hospital staff. J Adv Nurs. 2009;65(3):516–24. Abolfotouh SM, Mahmoud K, Faraj K, Moammer G, ElSayed A, Abolfotouh MA. Prevalence, consequences and predictors of low back pain among nurses in a tertiary care setting. Int Orthop. 2015;39(12):2439–49. Akodu AK, Ashalejo ZO. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and work ability among hospital nurses. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2019;14(3):252–61. SHAMS VAHDATI S, SARKHOSH KHIAVI R, RAJAEI GHAFOURI R ADIMII. Evaluation of Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among Residents of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Relation with Their Position in Work. Turk J Emerg Med. 2016;14(3):125–9. Dianat I, Bazazan A, Souraki Azad MA, Salimi SS. Work-related physical, psychosocial and individual factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms among surgeons: Implications for ergonomic interventions. Appl Ergon. 2018;67:115–24. Javed S, Dawood MH, Memon MW, Selod IZ, Seja A. Prevalence of low back pain among medical doctors of the teaching hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey. SAGE Open Med. 2023;11:20503121231157216. Raza A, Zulfiqar A, Ijaz A, Rasheed H, Naseer MB, Zahra SA. Prevalence of Lower Back Pain Among Doctors Working in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Int Health Rev. 2021;1(1):29–37. Zaheer A, Khalid R, Ergonomics. In : A work place realities in Pakistan. 2012. Lin PH, Tsai YA, Chen WC, Huang SF. Prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain among hospital nurses in Taiwan: A cross-sectional survey. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2012;25(1):41–50. Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7. Awosan KJ, Yikawe SS, Oche OM, Oboirien M. Prevalence, perception and correlates of low back pain among healthcare workers in tertiary health institutions in Sokoto, Nigeria. Ghana Med J. 2017;51(4):164–74. Rezaei B, Mousavi E, Heshmati B, Asadi S. Low back pain and its related risk factors in health care providers at hospitals: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg. 2021;70:102903. Arslan SA, Hadian MR, Olyaei G, Bagheri H, Yekaninejad MS, Ijaz S, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain Among the Office Workers of King Edward Medical University Lahore, Pakistan. Phys Treat -. Specif Phys Ther J. 2016;6(3):161–8. Agostini D, Donati Zeppa S, Lucertini F, Annibalini G, Gervasi M, Ferri Marini C, et al. Muscle and Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women: Role of Protein and Vitamin D Supplementation Combined with Exercise Training. Nutrients. 2018;10(8):1103. Biglarian A, Seifi B, Bakhshi E, Mohammad K, Rahgozar M, Karimlou M, et al. Low Back Pain Prevalence and Associated Factors in Iranian Population: Findings from the National Health Survey. Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:653060. Bento TPF, Genebra CV dos, Maciel S, Cornelio NM, Simeão GP, Vitta SFAP. A de. Low back pain and some associated factors: is there any difference between genders? Braz J Phys Ther. 2020;24(1):79–87. Pinheiro RC, Uchida RR, Mathias LA da, Perez ST, Cordeiro MV. Q. Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic pain. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2014;63:213–9. Rezaei B, Mousavi E, Heshmati B, Asadi S. Low back pain and its related risk factors in health care providers at hospitals: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg. 2021;70:102903. Toda Y, Segal N, Toda T, Morimoto T, Ogawa R. Lean Body Mass and Body Fat Distribution in Participants With Chronic Low Back Pain. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(21):3265–9. Kelly GA, Blake C, Power CK, O’keeffe D, Fullen BM. The association between chronic low back pain and sleep: a systematic review. Clin J Pain. 2011;27(2):169–81. Ezzatvar Y, Calatayud J, Andersen LL, Aiguadé R, Benítez J, Casaña J. Professional experience, work setting, work posture and workload influence the risk for musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020;93(2):189–96. Hämmig O. Work- and stress-related musculoskeletal and sleep disorders among health professionals: a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21:319. Pega F, Náfrádi B, Momen NC, Ujita Y, Streicher KN, Prüss-Üstün AM, et al. Global, regional, and national burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke attributable to exposure to long working hours for 194 countries, 2000–2016: A systematic analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. Environ Int. 2021;154:106595. Ilic I, Milicic V, Grujicic S, Zivanovic Macuzic I, Kocic S, Ilic MD. Prevalence and correlates of low back pain among undergraduate medical students in Serbia, a cross-sectional study. PeerJ. 2021;9:e11055. Waters TR, Dick RB. Evidence of Health Risks Associated with Prolonged Standing at Work and Intervention Effectiveness. Rehabil Nurs Off J Assoc Rehabil Nurses. 2015;40(3):148–65. King PM. A comparison of the effects of floor mats and shoe in-soles on standing fatigue. Appl Ergon. 2002;33(5):477–84. Engkvist IL, Hjelm EW, Hagberg M, Menckel E, Ekenvall L. Risk Indicators for Reported Over-Exertion Back Injuries among Female Nursing Personnel. Epidemiology. 2000;11(5):519. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 26 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 23 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 23 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 21 Jan, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 21 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 21 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 09 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8560142","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":578501391,"identity":"2a0121c8-7ce8-4908-aba1-cee15ea537a7","order_by":0,"name":"Hamza Razzaq Sindhu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hamza","middleName":"Razzaq","lastName":"Sindhu","suffix":""},{"id":578501392,"identity":"7a2073f6-500e-4f07-b5e2-e08f2ad3cfad","order_by":1,"name":"Saima Naz Mohsin","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"National Institute of Health, National Health Research Center, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Saima","middleName":"Naz","lastName":"Mohsin","suffix":""},{"id":578501393,"identity":"6d51c1a4-a9f7-4d8f-8dcf-db4b3e23df0d","order_by":2,"name":"Meer Hassan Lucky","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Meer","middleName":"Hassan","lastName":"Lucky","suffix":""},{"id":578501394,"identity":"dcef421e-a679-4224-b8b7-ee52c4c0d1ce","order_by":3,"name":"Muhammad Abdullah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Muhammad","middleName":"","lastName":"Abdullah","suffix":""},{"id":578501395,"identity":"e7d69f15-640d-4a54-a78e-e325fe386462","order_by":4,"name":"Shabih-e Zahra","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shabih-e","middleName":"","lastName":"Zahra","suffix":""},{"id":578501396,"identity":"d5eb42ff-6b2d-417e-98dc-0f01d92fb870","order_by":5,"name":"Afeefa Shaheera Iqbal","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Afeefa","middleName":"Shaheera","lastName":"Iqbal","suffix":""},{"id":578501397,"identity":"694ce0d8-052e-4018-8d94-f3b8b860be80","order_by":6,"name":"Hafiza Asma Nazir","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hafiza","middleName":"Asma","lastName":"Nazir","suffix":""},{"id":578501398,"identity":"ccc94845-e614-4dd2-9d4b-698205bf9d37","order_by":7,"name":"Hamza Irfan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hamza","middleName":"","lastName":"Irfan","suffix":""},{"id":578501399,"identity":"de29de92-d92a-403b-9b95-2285631625c3","order_by":8,"name":"Ayesha Humayun","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ayesha","middleName":"","lastName":"Humayun","suffix":""},{"id":578501400,"identity":"f1017abb-f12b-4596-9ff5-9a524a4c40a9","order_by":9,"name":"Ahmad Hazazi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Saudi Electronic University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ahmad","middleName":"","lastName":"Hazazi","suffix":""},{"id":578501401,"identity":"a975f555-2ae8-4c00-8807-d3f10cafb882","order_by":10,"name":"Babar Ali","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Medical Research Circle (MedReC)","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Babar","middleName":"","lastName":"Ali","suffix":""},{"id":578501402,"identity":"2b32c284-5f02-475d-acdd-8a50cddb0e12","order_by":11,"name":"Aymar Akilimali","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYPCCBB4+ZiD1wMAGSDI2HiBKCxtIS4JBGkhLA1FaGNgg1GEwF68W/hnZiZ8ratJk2Ni5Ez8kFJy3W9t+GGhLjU00Li0SN3I3S545lgN0GO9miQSD28nbziQCtRxLy23ApedG7gbJBrYKkJYNYC1mB4BaGBsO49QiD7TlZ8M/sJbNPxIMziWbnX+IX4vBjdxtko1tYIdtA9pywM7sBgFbDM+83WbZ2JcG1mKRYJCcYHYDaEsCHr/IHc/dfLPhW7I9P//ZzTc+/LGzNzuf/vDBhxob3N4XSEDlJ4JVJmCoQwL8B1D59vgUj4JRMApGwcgEAN5HYcaPYQ4bAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Medical Research Circle (MedReC)","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Aymar","middleName":"","lastName":"Akilimali","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-01-09 10:54:06","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":100958652,"identity":"c1e2b68a-10ad-455d-9cff-6d3391b5cf09","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-23 08:07:55","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":33497,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Manuscript.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/c3b2e0fae02396f2dd4cf4b3.docx"},{"id":100958651,"identity":"724bff96-0aa7-40d9-8289-3b943b64466c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-23 08:07:55","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":45200,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Tables.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/baf1ca3b1f56bff72ec8607d.docx"},{"id":101203287,"identity":"1a9a55a9-5197-4da7-a385-bbf094cf8849","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-27 09:39:17","extension":"json","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":13359,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"1e36005bd8f24167a649ef76d62cf87f.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/eb8fd1b7bc2a5e3b9ab61629.json"},{"id":100958654,"identity":"ed0fbb99-e543-4221-b2cd-151e921b7c15","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-23 08:07:55","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":145611,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"1e36005bd8f24167a649ef76d62cf87f1enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/f2748e8224a0992feaa8c4f6.xml"},{"id":100958655,"identity":"777092fc-e7d6-4e29-9496-cfc089871429","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-23 08:07:55","extension":"xml","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":140411,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"1e36005bd8f24167a649ef76d62cf87f1structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/38786095bcb8c12fd9b89859.xml"},{"id":100958657,"identity":"69684afa-744f-450c-97ff-80f58fbaa50c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-23 08:07:55","extension":"html","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":158051,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/59e8d44f9c59d36288f936f5.html"},{"id":101207680,"identity":"f72541f1-3c00-4d65-82a3-4b24912325f0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-27 10:06:21","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1384207,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8560142/v1/bdfa6491-b50f-40a6-8f42-c588d2817ec7.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Risk Factors and Ergonomic Determinants of Low Back Pain in Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study","fulltext":[{"header":"HIGHLIGHTS","content":"\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLow back pain (LBP) was highly prevalent (62.62%) among healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFemale gender, age \u0026gt;30 years, marital status, and BMI \u0026gt;25 were significantly associated with lifetime prevalence of LBP.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eLong working hours (\u0026gt;35 hours/week) and work experience \u0026gt;6 years were key ergonomic risk factors for point prevalence of LBP.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eJob category was significantly associated with LBP, with physicians and surgeons more affected than medical students and nurses.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTargeted ergonomic interventions and scheduling adjustments are urgently needed to reduce LBP and improve healthcare workforce well-being.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e"},{"header":"BACKGROUND","content":"\u003cp\u003ePain between the 12th rib and the inferior gluteal folds, with or without sciatica, is referred to as Low Back Pain (LBP) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Numerous studies have shown low back pain to be one of the most widespread musculoskeletal conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. According to the United States burden of Disease Collaborators, LBP is ranked third among all illnesses and injuries contributing to disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and is a leading cause of activity restriction in people below 45 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. It is an important public health problem as it can become an economic threat regarding lost work days [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. LBP affects 570\u0026nbsp;million people globally and is responsible for 7.4% of years lived with disability (YLD). LBP in the global population ranges between 15 and 45% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. According to research from India, young individuals experience 42.47% of the annual prevalence of low back pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Individual, work-related, and psychosocial determinants contribute to low back discomfort [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. As far as ergonomic factors are concerned at the workplace, frequent standing or crouching, carrying heavy objects, remaining in the same posture for a very long time, using vibration tools, frequently rotating body and trunk, and working in a bent position for an extended period are all linked with low back pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Healthcare workers are more likely to experience LBP because their job involves long standing hours, lack of physical activity, sitting in the same position, bending forward for long surgeries, carrying, or shifting patients, and physical and psychological stress. According to one study, the prevalence of low back pain among healthcare personnel in the previous 12 months was 73.9% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e], while another study found the prevalence to be 61.3% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. Low back pain is frequent among healthcare providers globally, but the incidence and intensity vary among regions due to different lifestyles, medical practices, and levels of awareness. Nurses are more likely than other healthcare professionals to experience low back discomfort with its medical and occupational repercussions, such as receiving medical care, seeking medical leave, and getting early retirement [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, a study in Turkey showed that female healthcare professionals were likelier to have lower back pain than their male counterparts [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. A rise in the frequency of low back pain among medical professionals can jeopardise the healthcare system [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. A recent study in Karachi found that 70% of medical practitioners suffer from low back pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Another study in Lahore found that doctors' frequency of low back pain was 51.55% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. In countries with limited resources, such as Pakistan, there is a failure to apply ergonomic principles. The wide range of work-related elements covered by ergonomics principles allows employers to establish the optimal fit, i.e., to fit the job to the worker's abilities rather than needing them to adjust to the job. Numerous musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including lower back pain, are brought on by neglecting the principles of ergonomics [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrior studies have demonstrated that low back pain is a great threat to health worldwide and an important cause of morbidity. However, as far as we know, low back pain and its contributing variables need to be better studied in Pakistan, particularly among healthcare employees. They have long and hectic working hours and physical and psychological stress, making them more prone to musculoskeletal disorders. Through this research, we aimed to evaluate ergonomic and demographic determinants linked with low back pain and its frequency among healthcare workers to increase the pool of knowledge encourage following the principles of ergonomics and promote the health of healthcare providers.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHODOLOGY","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. This study was performed to study the frequency and associated factors of low back pain among healthcare workers. For this purpose, healthcare workers including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and medical students of clinical years, were included. Participants above 45 years of age and those with a history of vertebral fracture, trauma, surgery, pregnancy, and rheumatic disease were excluded from the study. A sample size of 318 was calculated with 0.05% precision and a 95% confidence level, and the estimated frequency of low back pain was 43% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e] for the 2000 population. For sampling, the population was divided into subgroups (strata) based on job category, and then a convenient sampling technique was applied. Written informed consent was obtained, and data were collected from 331 participants using a self-administered questionnaire in two parts. The first part included demographic details and variables to be studied, which included height, weight, working conditions (duration of work, working hours in a week a day, standing and sitting time in a day, carrying or shifting patients), and sleeping hours in a day, and the second part was the low back portion of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e], including lifetime frequency of low back pain and point prevalence (in last seven days). Data entry and analysis were carried out using SPSS version 22.0. Frequency was calculated for demographic determinants and BMI, and the Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were applied to study the statistical association of all study variables with low back pain. Association of gender, age, marital status, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients with LBP in the last seven days (point prevalence) was determined using chi-square. Association of gender, age, marital status, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients with LBP in a lifetime (lifetime prevalence) was determined using chi-square. Binary logistic regression was also performed to further confirm the effect of gender, age, BMI, sleep, job category, work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having LBP in the last seven days (point prevalence). Data were collected from participants with informed consent after approval from the Institutional Review and Advisory Board Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cp\u003eOut of 313 participants, 35.5% were males, and 64.5% were females. More than half of the participants were \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30 years of age, and 34.5% were married. The BMI of 67.4% of participants was \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25, and 32.6% had a BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25. A summary of the demographic characteristics of the participants is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS OF STUDY VARIABLES\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e202\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge (years)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJob Category\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical Students\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurses\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt was observed that 27.2% of females had LPB in the last seven days compared to 18% of males, and female gender was found to be nearly statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.06). The association of marital status with LBP in the last seven days was assessed, and 30.6% of married participants had LBP in the last seven days compared to 20.5% of unmarried participants with LBP in the last seven days, with a p-value of 0.04; hence, being married was found to be statistically significant with LBP in the last seven days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe association of work experience with LBP in the last seven days was also determined, and 32.8% of participants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 years of work experience had LBP in the last seven days compared to 21.7% of participants\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 years of work experience, and increased work experience was found to be nearly statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.06). Similarly, 26.1% of participants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 working hours/week experienced LBP in the last seven days compared to 8.1% of participants with \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 working hours/week, which was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01). A summary is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eASSOCIATION OF POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH STUDY VARIABLES\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoint Prevalence of LBP (in last 7 days)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChi-square\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(18.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e55(27.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91(82)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e147(72.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e111\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e202\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.335\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55(22.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(27.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e186(77.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e52(72.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.747\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarriage\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(30.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e42(20.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75(69.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e163(79.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.935\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBMI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47(22.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(27.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e164(77.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e74(72.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e211\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSleep\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;7 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;7 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(21.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e50(25.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91(78.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e147(74.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e197\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.587\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJob category\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(28.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(17.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(20.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(27.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59(71.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e55(82.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e67(79.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e57(72.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.759\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical students\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurses\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWork Experience\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54(21.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(32.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e195(78.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(67.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e249\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.459\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 Years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 Years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking hours/week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(8.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e72(26.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(91.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e204(73.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e276\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.788\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Standing hours/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(19.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e53(26.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91(80.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e147(73.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.959\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Sitting/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(28.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e62(23.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(71.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e206(76.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.700\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarry or Shift Patients/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(24.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e61(23.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44(75.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e194(76.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt was found that 66.8% of females and 55% of males had LBP during their lifetime, and the association of female gender with LBP during their lifetime was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.03). An association of age with LBP during their lifetime was observed, and 75% of participants with LBP during their lifetime were \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;30 years of age, while 58.9% of participants with LBP during their lifetime were \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30 years of age. The association of increasing age with LBP during their lifetime was found to be statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01). The effect of marital status on the lifetime prevalence of LBP was determined, and 73.1% of married and 57.1% of unmarried participants experienced LBP during their lifetime with a p-value of 0.005; hence, the association of being married with the lifetime prevalence of LBP was statistically significant. An association of BMI with LBP during their lifetime was also observed, and 71.6% of participants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e BMI and 58.3% of participants with \u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e BMI reported LBP during their lifetime, which was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.02). Moreover, the effect of job category was also observed, and 77.1% of physicians, 61.2% of surgeons, 60.8% of nurses, and 51.2% of medical students were found to have LBP during lifetime with a p-value of 0.006; hence, job category was found to be statistically significant with LBP during lifetime. A summary is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eASSOCIATION OF LIFETIME PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH STUDY VARIABLES\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLifetime Prevalence of LBP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChi-square\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61(55)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e135(66.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50(45)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e67(33.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e111\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e202\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.317\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e142(58.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e54(75)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99(41.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.123\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarriage\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79(73.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e117(57.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(26.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e88(42.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.809\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBMI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e123(58.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e73(71.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88(41.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(28.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e211\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.177\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSleep\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;7 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;7 hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73(62.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e123(62.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(37.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e74(37.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e197\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJob category\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64(77.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(61.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(51.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e48(60.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(22.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(38.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(48.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(39.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.306\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical students\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurses\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWork Experience\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150(60.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e46(71.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99(39.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(28.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e249\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.944\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 Years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 Years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking hours/week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(54.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e176(63.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(45.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e100(37.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e276\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.315\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Standing hours/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70(61.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e126(63)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(38.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e74(37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Sitting/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(60)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e169(63.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(40)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e99(36.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.154\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarry or Shift Patients/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(55.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e164(64.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(44.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e91(35.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.687\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe effect of working conditions such as work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients was also studied separately in physicians, surgeons, medical students, and nurses. It was observed that standing time in a day was nearly statistically significant in nurses (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.06) and surgeons (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.07). Moreover, working hours/week was statistically significant in medical students (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.02). A summary is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eASSOCIATION OF POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP WITH WORKING CONDITIONS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"13\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysicians\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical Students\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNurses\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLBP in the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLBP in the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLBP in the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c13\" namest=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLBP in the last 7 days\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWork Experience\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(27.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(38.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.683\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(16.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(27.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.785\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(18.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(50)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.305\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(25.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(30.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.241\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWork Hours/week\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(28.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(28.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(18.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.685\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(4.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(26.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.954\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(29.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.626\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Standing Hours/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10(31.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(27.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.138\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(21.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.189\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.\u003c/b\u003e07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(19.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(21.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.044\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(31)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.436\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;4 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eContinuous Sitting Hours/day\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(33.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(28.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(12.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(18.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.181\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.671\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(20.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.257\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(33.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(25.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.516\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;2 Hours\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarry or Shift Patients\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(40)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(28.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.318\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(33.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(15.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.682\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.195\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(21.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.066\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(22.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(33.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.153\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo further ascertain the results, a binary logistic regression was performed to confirm the effect of gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having low back pain in the last seven days (point prevalence). The Binary Logistic Regression Model was statistically significant, and χ\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;13.351. This indicates that the model adequately fits the data. The model explained Nagelkerke R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9.4%. It shows that a 9.4% change in low back pain can be accounted for by predictor variables (gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients) in the model. The model also classified 76% of participants with low back pain at any time. A summary is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON POINT PREVALENCE OF LBP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVARIABLES (Reference Category)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCRUDE ODDS RATIO\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eADJUSTED ODDS RATIO\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI For Adj. Odds ratio\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOWER\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUPPER\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender(male)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.587\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.589\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.810\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.769\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.696\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.266\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.820\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBMI (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.757\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.289\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.691\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.405\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSleep (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;7 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.808\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.158\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.824\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.864\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.623\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.261\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.487\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical students(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.603\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.075\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.402\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.878\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003enurses(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.628\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.219\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.802\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWork experience (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 years)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.567\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.488\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.967\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.402\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProlonged Sitting hour (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.350\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.536\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.618\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProlonged Standing hours (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;4 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.671\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.620\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.312\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.234\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking hours/week (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.223\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.064\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.780\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarry patients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.464\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.527\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.662\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eErgonomic determinants (dup: abstract ?)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 years of work experience (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.488; 95% C.I. 0.967, 6.402) had more LBP in the last seven days, and the association of the point prevalence of LBP with work experience was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05). Participants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 working hours/week (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.223; C.I. 0.064, 0.780) were also found to exhibit more LBP in the last seven days, and the association of working hours/week was found to be statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBinary logistic regression was also performed to confirm the effect of sex, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, and the routine of carrying or shifting patients on the likelihood of participants having low back pain during lifetime. The Binary Logistic Regression Model was statistically significant, and χ\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.884. This indicates that the model adequately fits the data. The model explained Nagelkerke R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;11.8%. It shows that an 11.8% change in low back pain can be accounted for by predictor variables (gender, age, BMI, sleep, job title, work experience, prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, working hours/week, routine of carrying or shifting patients) in the model. The model also classified 66.8% of participants with low back pain at any time. The model exhibited good sensitivity and predicted that 85.2% of participants would have low back pain. A summary is given in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND WORKING CONDITIONS ON LIFETIME PREVALENCE OF LBP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVARIABLES (Reference Category)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCRUDE ODDS RATIO\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eADJUSTED ODDS RATIO\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% CI For Adj. Odds ratio\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLOWER\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUPPER\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender(male)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.605\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.887\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.363\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.03\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge(\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.478\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.582\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.637\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.929\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBMI (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.555\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.767\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.996\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.134\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.05\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003esleep(\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;7 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.021\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.981\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.574\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.675\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurgeons(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.136\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.351\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.149\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.824\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.01\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical students(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.212\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.745\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.316\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.757\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003enurses(physicians)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.175\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.960\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.378\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.442\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWork experience (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;6 years)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.593\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.747\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProlonged Sitting hours(\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;2 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.879\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.910\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.438\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.893\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProlonged Standing hours(\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;4 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.956\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.117\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.608\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.052\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWorking hours/week (\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;35 hours)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.668\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.773\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.355\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.682\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarry patients\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.683\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.524\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.752\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.089\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDemographic determinants\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemale participants (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.887; 95% C.I. 1.059, 3.363) were more likely to exhibit low back pain at any time in life than males, and the association of female gender with low back pain at any point in life was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.03). Participants with BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.767; 95% C.I. 0.996, 3.134) were more likely to exhibit low back pain at any time in life compared to those with BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2,\u003c/sup\u003e and the association of BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e with low back pain at any time in life was statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05). The job category of surgeons was associated with an increased likelihood of low back pain at any point in life compared to physicians (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eErgonomic determinants\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurther binary logistic regression revealed that variables related to working conditions were not statistically associated with having low back pain at any point in life: working experience (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.105; 95% C.I. 0.445, 2.747), prolonged sitting hours (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.910; 95% C.I. 0.438, 1.893), prolonged standing hours (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.117; 95% C.I. 0.608, 2.052) working hours/week (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.773 95% C.I. 0.355, 1.682) and routine carrying or shifting of patients (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.524; 95% C.I. 0.752, 3.089).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe main objective of our study was to identify the risk factors and ergonomic determinants of low back pain (LBP) and the point and lifetime frequency of LBP among healthcare workers. LBP is a common musculoskeletal problem and is currently a major health concern in developing countries [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. According to our study, in which 313 participants were studied, the frequency of LBP during the lifetime among healthcare workers was 62.62%, and its frequency in the last seven days was 24%. A systematic review found a lifetime prevalence of 54.8% in healthcare personnel [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. The risk factors that were studied included demographic factors (age, gender, marital status, and job category), BMI, sleep, and working conditions (work experience, working hours/week, continuous standing hours/day, continuous sitting hours/day, the routine of carrying or shifting patients) and their association with the frequency of low back pain. Considering individual risk factors, female healthcare workers showed a high lifetime prevalence (66.8%) with a statistically significant association with lifetime prevalence and a near-significant association with point prevalence of LBP. Most of the previously conducted studies also showed a high prevalence of LBP among female workers [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, we found an increased prevalence of LBP in people aged\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;30 years. A possible reason could be decreased estrogen levels in women with increasing age [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Advancing age is also one of the factors linked with LBP among healthcare staff [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Our findings are consistent with those of other researchers in that the point and lifetime prevalence of LBP were both high among married individuals compared to unmarried individuals, with a significant association between being married and LBP (lifetime prevalence p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.005, point prevalence p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.04), which is similar to the results of other studies [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Another study [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrated that widowed or separated individuals have a higher risk of having LBP than married or unmarried people due to psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, which have been linked with musculoskeletal disorders such as LBP [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalysis of the results of our study confirmed that BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 has a statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.02) association with the lifetime prevalence of LBP. A systematic review in 2021 showed a significant relationship between normal BMI and reduced LBP [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Although BMI assesses obesity, it does not distinguish between lean and fat body mass. A study's findings confirm that the distribution of body fat and lean body mass is more closely linked with a chronic risk of low back pain than BMI [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. According to a systematic review, many aspects of sleep, i.e., disturbed sleep, reduced duration, etc., are associated with chronic low back pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. However, in our study, the association between sleep and LBP was insignificant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn our study, work experience of \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 years shows a certain trend toward significance with a p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.06 in point prevalence and p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.08 in lifetime prevalence. This suggests that healthcare workers with over six years of working experience have a high prevalence of LBP due to the physically demanding nature of work tasks [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Increased duration of work leads to prolonged exposure to ergonomic risk factors.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrated the association of LBP with the lifetime prevalence among different healthcare workers in a particular order: physicians\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;surgeons\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;nurses\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;medical students, and it was found to be statistically significant. In contrast, a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland showed that musculoskeletal disorders are more prevalent among physically drained hospital nurses than other healthcare workers [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. In our present study, \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 working hours per week was found to be significantly associated with a higher point prevalence of LBP (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01). Long working hours, compared to standard working hours (35\u0026ndash;40 hours/week), also cause attributable burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a systematic review [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, in assessing the association of point prevalence of LBP with different working conditions, we found that medical students who work\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 hours per week have a statistically significant association with LBP. A cross-sectional study conducted among medical students at one Serbian university discovered a link between LBP and cigarette smoking, academic stress, and incorrect sleeping positions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, we found continuous standing\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;4 hours/day of surgeons and nurses to have a statistically near significant association with a point prevalence of LBP (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.07 and p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.06, respectively). The results of our study were confirmed by a different study [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e], which hints at standing for long periods by workers without being able to sit and walk during their working shifts. This is explained by the fact that surgeons and duty nurses must have prolonged standing hours in operating rooms during surgical procedures. This leads to greater chances of having LBP and other related medical conditions, i.e., Chronic venous insufficiency and prolonged standing is particularly harmful when one keeps standing in one place continuously [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Transferring patients is also associated with developing LBP [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. However, in our study, an association between LBP and carrying or shifting patients was not found.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the binary logistic regression model, participants with \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;6 years of work experience (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.488, 95% C. = 0.967\u0026ndash;6.402, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05) and \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;35 working hours per week (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.223, 95% C.I. I\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.064\u0026ndash;0.780, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01) had more LBP in the last seven days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilarly, female participants compared to males (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.887, 95% C.I.=1.059\u0026ndash;3.363, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.03), participants with BMI\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;25 (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1.767, 95% C.I.=0.996\u0026ndash;3.134, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05) and surgeons compared to physicians (AOR\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.351, 95% C.I.=0.149\u0026ndash;0.824, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.01) had an increased likelihood of LBP at any point in time. Hence, in our study, it was observed that demographic factors and BMI are closely associated with the lifetime prevalence of LBP, while ergonomic factors are associated with the point prevalence of LBP. When compared to ergonomic factors, which change more frequently, such as working hours, standing hours per day, and sitting hours per day for the same person, their impact on acute low back pain or LBP in the last seven days is greater. Demographic factors such as gender, increasing age, and BMI do not vary much, so they are associated with the lifetime prevalence of LBP.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe limitations of our study are that it was a single-centre study. The questionnaires we used were self-administered, and for the lifetime prevalence of LBP, recall bias can occur. A huge research gap in other regions of Pakistan needs to be met through newer studies. Some of the variables, such as demographic characteristics and ergonomic factors, are linked with LBP. To address these issues, adjustments in the working environment are required, such as improved hospital administration, favourable policies for healthcare employees, and increased staffing. Duty schedules should be tailored to workers' physical and mental capacities. The chairs and equipment utilised should be ergonomic. Healthcare professionals are an integral element of the healthcare system, and supporting their health translates to supporting improved patient care and healthcare delivery. Policymakers should take note of this. Therefore, additional research on them should be conducted, particularly in developing nations where the healthcare system falls short of international standards.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":" \u003cp\u003eOur study highlights one of the most significant limiting constraints for healthcare professionals working at tertiary care hospitals: low back pain. It is prevalent among females, married individuals, and people with advanced age and high BMI, showing its possible risk factors. Considering these factors, the frequency of LBP can be reduced by making appropriate adjustments and performing additional research in low-resource settings. Healthcare providers are the main workforce of the healthcare system. The factors impairing their overall health affect the masses. To minimize the burden low back pain poses economically and physically, it is important to examine the ergonomic factors associated with it. The improvements in working conditions and working hours are crucial for the occupational health of healthcare workers, overall increased functioning of the healthcare system, and thus, decreased frequency of low back pain.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConflicts of interest/Competing interests\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eWritten Consent for publication\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWritten informed Consent was taken prior to the collection of data.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eProvenance and peer review\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot commissioned, externally peer-reviewed.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they received no funding for conducting and carrying out this study or for publishing this work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHamza Razzaq Sindhu: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Saima Naz Mohsin: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Meer Hassan Lucky: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Muhammad Abdullah: Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Shabih-e Zahra: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Afeefa Shaheera Iqbal: Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Hafiza Asma Nazir: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Hamza Irfan: Formation and editing, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Ayesha Humayun : Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.Ahmed Hazazi: Formal Analysis, Visualization, Validation, software, Writing reviewing \u0026amp; editingBabar Ali: Formal Analysis, Visualization, Validation, software, writing reviewing \u0026amp; editingAymar Akilimali: Conceptualization, Synopsis Formation and editing, Investigation, Formal Analysis, Data curation, Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Introduction, Abstract, review \u0026amp; editing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvailability of data and material\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCode availability\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrismer M, van Tulder M, Low Back Pain Group of the Bone and Joint Health Strategies for Europe Project. Strategies for prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Low back pain (non-specific). Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2007;21(1):77\u0026ndash;91.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026Ccedil;ınar-Medeni \u0026Ouml;, Elbasan B, Duzgun I. Low back pain prevalence in healthcare professionals and identification of factors affecting low back pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(3):451\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003echristopher Murray JL. The State of US Health, 1990\u0026ndash;2010: Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors. JAMA. 2013;310(6):591\u0026ndash;608.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaetzel A, Li L. The economic burden of low back pain: a review of studies published between 1996 and 2001. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2002;16(1):23\u0026ndash;30.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParreira P, Maher CG, Steffens D, Hancock MJ, Ferreira ML. Risk factors for low back pain and sciatica: an umbrella review. Spine J. 2018;18(9):1715\u0026ndash;21.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGanesan S, Acharya AS, Chauhan R, Acharya S. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain in 1,355 Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Asian Spine J. 2017;11(4):610\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBelay MM, Worku A, Gebrie SA, Wamisho BL. Epidemiology of low back pain among nurses working in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. East Cent Afr J Surg. 2016;21(1):113\u0026ndash;31.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJia N, Zhang M, Zhang H, Ling R, Liu Y, Li G et al. Prevalence and risk factors analysis for low back pain among occupational groups in key industries of China. BMC Public Health [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 May 12];22. Available from: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9354373/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9354373/\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlnaami I, Awadalla NJ, Alkhairy M, Alburidy S, Alqarni A, Algarni A, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among health care workers in southwestern Saudi Arabia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20:56.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKarahan A, Kav S, Abbasoglu A, Dogan N. Low back pain: prevalence and associated risk factors among hospital staff. J Adv Nurs. 2009;65(3):516\u0026ndash;24.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbolfotouh SM, Mahmoud K, Faraj K, Moammer G, ElSayed A, Abolfotouh MA. Prevalence, consequences and predictors of low back pain among nurses in a tertiary care setting. Int Orthop. 2015;39(12):2439\u0026ndash;49.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkodu AK, Ashalejo ZO. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and work ability among hospital nurses. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2019;14(3):252\u0026ndash;61.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSHAMS VAHDATI S, SARKHOSH KHIAVI R, RAJAEI GHAFOURI R ADIMII. Evaluation of Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among Residents of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Relation with Their Position in Work. Turk J Emerg Med. 2016;14(3):125\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDianat I, Bazazan A, Souraki Azad MA, Salimi SS. Work-related physical, psychosocial and individual factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms among surgeons: Implications for ergonomic interventions. Appl Ergon. 2018;67:115\u0026ndash;24.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJaved S, Dawood MH, Memon MW, Selod IZ, Seja A. Prevalence of low back pain among medical doctors of the teaching hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey. SAGE Open Med. 2023;11:20503121231157216.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRaza A, Zulfiqar A, Ijaz A, Rasheed H, Naseer MB, Zahra SA. Prevalence of Lower Back Pain Among Doctors Working in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Int Health Rev. 2021;1(1):29\u0026ndash;37.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZaheer A, Khalid R, Ergonomics. In : A work place realities in Pakistan. 2012.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLin PH, Tsai YA, Chen WC, Huang SF. Prevalence, characteristics, and work-related risk factors of low back pain among hospital nurses in Taiwan: A cross-sectional survey. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2012;25(1):41\u0026ndash;50.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-S\u0026oslash;rensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAwosan KJ, Yikawe SS, Oche OM, Oboirien M. Prevalence, perception and correlates of low back pain among healthcare workers in tertiary health institutions in Sokoto, Nigeria. Ghana Med J. 2017;51(4):164\u0026ndash;74.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRezaei B, Mousavi E, Heshmati B, Asadi S. Low back pain and its related risk factors in health care providers at hospitals: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg. 2021;70:102903.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArslan SA, Hadian MR, Olyaei G, Bagheri H, Yekaninejad MS, Ijaz S, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Low Back Pain Among the Office Workers of King Edward Medical University Lahore, Pakistan. Phys Treat -. Specif Phys Ther J. 2016;6(3):161\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAgostini D, Donati Zeppa S, Lucertini F, Annibalini G, Gervasi M, Ferri Marini C, et al. Muscle and Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women: Role of Protein and Vitamin D Supplementation Combined with Exercise Training. Nutrients. 2018;10(8):1103.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBiglarian A, Seifi B, Bakhshi E, Mohammad K, Rahgozar M, Karimlou M, et al. Low Back Pain Prevalence and Associated Factors in Iranian Population: Findings from the National Health Survey. Pain Res Treat. 2012;2012:653060.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBento TPF, Genebra CV dos, Maciel S, Cornelio NM, Sime\u0026atilde;o GP, Vitta SFAP. A de. Low back pain and some associated factors: is there any difference between genders? Braz J Phys Ther. 2020;24(1):79\u0026ndash;87.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePinheiro RC, Uchida RR, Mathias LA da, Perez ST, Cordeiro MV. Q. Prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic pain. J Bras Psiquiatr. 2014;63:213\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRezaei B, Mousavi E, Heshmati B, Asadi S. Low back pain and its related risk factors in health care providers at hospitals: A systematic review. Ann Med Surg. 2021;70:102903.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToda Y, Segal N, Toda T, Morimoto T, Ogawa R. Lean Body Mass and Body Fat Distribution in Participants With Chronic Low Back Pain. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(21):3265\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKelly GA, Blake C, Power CK, O\u0026rsquo;keeffe D, Fullen BM. The association between chronic low back pain and sleep: a systematic review. Clin J Pain. 2011;27(2):169\u0026ndash;81.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEzzatvar Y, Calatayud J, Andersen LL, Aiguad\u0026eacute; R, Ben\u0026iacute;tez J, Casa\u0026ntilde;a J. Professional experience, work setting, work posture and workload influence the risk for musculoskeletal pain among physical therapists: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2020;93(2):189\u0026ndash;96.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eH\u0026auml;mmig O. Work- and stress-related musculoskeletal and sleep disorders among health professionals: a cross-sectional study in a hospital setting in Switzerland. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2020;21:319.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePega F, N\u0026aacute;fr\u0026aacute;di B, Momen NC, Ujita Y, Streicher KN, Pr\u0026uuml;ss-\u0026Uuml;st\u0026uuml;n AM, et al. Global, regional, and national burdens of ischemic heart disease and stroke attributable to exposure to long working hours for 194 countries, 2000\u0026ndash;2016: A systematic analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. Environ Int. 2021;154:106595.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIlic I, Milicic V, Grujicic S, Zivanovic Macuzic I, Kocic S, Ilic MD. Prevalence and correlates of low back pain among undergraduate medical students in Serbia, a cross-sectional study. PeerJ. 2021;9:e11055.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaters TR, Dick RB. Evidence of Health Risks Associated with Prolonged Standing at Work and Intervention Effectiveness. Rehabil Nurs Off J Assoc Rehabil Nurses. 2015;40(3):148\u0026ndash;65.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing PM. A comparison of the effects of floor mats and shoe in-soles on standing fatigue. Appl Ergon. 2002;33(5):477\u0026ndash;84.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngkvist IL, Hjelm EW, Hagberg M, Menckel E, Ekenvall L. Risk Indicators for Reported Over-Exertion Back Injuries among Female Nursing Personnel. Epidemiology. 2000;11(5):519.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"sn-comprehensive-clinical-medicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"sncm","sideBox":"Learn more about [SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine](https://www.springer.com/journal/42399)","snPcode":"42399","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/42399/3","title":"SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Low back pain, healthcare workers, ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational health, demographic factors, Pakistan.","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground\u003c/strong\u003e: Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition affecting healthcare workers, impacting their productivity and well-being. This study aims to evaluate the frequency, demographic, and ergonomic determinants of LBP among healthcare workers in Lahore, Pakistan.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodology\u003c/strong\u003e: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore with 313 healthcare workers, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, and medical students. Participants were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The study examined demographic factors, BMI, sleep, and working conditions such as work experience, working hours, and physical tasks associated with LBP.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e: The lifetime prevalence of LBP among healthcare workers was 62.62%, with a point prevalence of 24%. Female gender, age \u0026gt;30, marital status, and BMI \u0026gt;25 were significantly associated with LBP. Prolonged working hours (\u0026gt;35 hours/week) and extended work experience (\u0026gt;6 years) were significant ergonomic determinants of point prevalence LBP. Nurses and surgeons exhibited a near-significant association between continuous standing hours and LBP.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusion\u003c/strong\u003e: LBP is a significant occupational health issue among healthcare workers in Lahore. Interventions focusing on ergonomic improvements, work schedule adjustments, and targeted health policies are essential to reduce LBP prevalence and its associated burdens.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Risk Factors and Ergonomic Determinants of Low Back Pain in Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-23 08:07:48","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8560142/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-01-26T08:07:46+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-23T16:18:25+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-23T11:21:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"43737675457130852493465243971542881228","date":"2026-01-22T05:35:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"98539939200733423193307036980319900798","date":"2026-01-22T03:43:47+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"180175489534585933371290088578114145679","date":"2026-01-21T16:53:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-01-21T16:39:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-01-21T08:09:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-01-21T08:03:13+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine","date":"2026-01-09T10:43:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"sn-comprehensive-clinical-medicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"sncm","sideBox":"Learn more about [SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine](https://www.springer.com/journal/42399)","snPcode":"42399","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/42399/3","title":"SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"963dcb42-6c6e-4062-9b3e-b8902a4203a2","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 23rd, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-19T06:41:26+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-23 08:07:48","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8560142","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8560142","identity":"rs-8560142","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.