A Comparative Study of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lower Back Pain among Aircraft Technicians in Ethiopian Airlines

ABSTRACT

Lower back pain (LBP) is a global concern among workers in various occupational settings. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of LBP and its risk factors among aircraft technicians (ACTs) in Ethiopian Airlines. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from 294 ACTs. The prevalence of LBP among ACTs was 47.1 during the past six months. Duration of employment was signifi cantly associated with experiencing LBP as ACTs with 7 - 9 years working experience were almost eight times more likely to experience LBP that those with 1- 3 years of experience (OR = 7.86; 95 CI 1.59-52.55 ). Significant associations were observed between the prevalence of LBP and pulling and pushing heavy loads (OR = 3.17; 95 CI 1.49-6.74); lifting heavy objects (OR = 1.90; 95 CI 1.01-3.60); and carrying heavy loads (OR = 2.02; 95 CI 1.15-3.57). Bending (OR = 2.13; 95 CI 1.30-3.49); lifting hard to hold loads (OR = 2.78; 95 CI 1.72-4.49); and working with twisted trunks (OR = 2.15; 95 CI 1.34-3.43) were also signifi cantly associated with LBP. Relevant occupational health and safety interventions should be designed and implemented to reduce the prevalence of LBP in these ACTs; taking into account the nature of the work conducted