Industrial Health
Volume 48, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 283-291

Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among Thai and Myanmar migrant seafood processing factory workers in samut sakorn province, Thailand (Conference Paper) (Open Access)

Tomita S.* , Arphorn S. , Muto T. , Koetkhlai K. , Naing S.S. , Chaikittiporn C.
  • a Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibucho, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
  • b Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
  • c Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Medicine, 880 Kitakobayashi, Mibucho, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
  • d Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry, 75/6 Rama 6 Road, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
  • e Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
  • f Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, 420/1 Rajvidhi Road, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and investigated risk factors for LBP among seafood processing factory workers in Thailand including migrant workers. The subjects were Thai and Myanmar workers in the typical seafood processing factory. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence of LBP, general characteristics, life style, and working condition were investigated. The associations between LBP and risk factors were estimated by multiple logistic regression models. Of 254 workers, 165 completed the questionnaire. Half of these workers were Thai, the others were from Myanmar. The point prevalence of LBP was 28.5%. Risk factors for LBP were age over 40 yr, poor health status, history of back injury, twisting posture at work, and slipping on wet floors. The results suggest that health promotion should focus on working conditions rather than individual life style in order to prevent LBP. Furthermore, greater attention to other risk factors such as history of back injury and perception of health status after regular health check up, especially in older age groups may be needed.

Author Keywords

Migrant worker Food processing worker Low back pain Working condition Cross-sectional study

Index Keywords

lifestyle Life Style food industry Thailand occupational disease human statistics statistics and numerical data Occupational Diseases Logistic Models ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans male female risk factor Risk Factors questionnaire Myanmar Conference Paper prevalence Questionnaires adult Low Back Pain migration age Age Factors statistical model occupational health Transients and Migrants Seafood sea food
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77953765243&doi=10.2486%2findhealth.48.283&partnerID=40&md5=908ba9bed658ae8169f15dce978aff8a
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.48.283
ISSN: 00198366
Cited by: 27
Original Language: English