ArticleBMC musculoskeletal disorders2019
Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among health care workers in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Article in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 55 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
55 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 132 citations in OpenAlex.
- Occupational health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): A systematic review and call for comprehensive policy development.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Low back pain prevalence and risk factors among health workers in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of occupational health · 2020Pooled it
- Walking rehabilitation in incomplete spinal cord injury: evaluating the impact of robotic exoskeleton-assisted training.Biomedical engineering online · 2026Trial
- Trial
- Factors Associated with Functional Disability and Walking Capacity in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Low Back Pain Among Employees of the Qassim Health Cluster: Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictive Factors.Cureus · 2026Article
- Prevalence of Low Back Pain in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 124 Studies.Journal of pain research · 2026Review
- Article
- Determinants of Quality of Life Among Saudi Adults with Sciatica: A Cross-Sectional Study.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Article
- Risk factors of chronic low back pain among Syrian patients: across- sectional study.BMC neurology · 2025Article
- The influence of ergonomic factors on the work conditions of paramedics during the rescue of trauma patients in an ambulance.Heliyon · 2025Article
- Review
- The burden of back pain on hospital staff in a maximum care facility in Germany - a survey.Brain & spine · 2025Article
- Article
- Low back pain prevalence and associated factors among nurses: cross sectional study from Palestine.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Prevalence and determinants of low back pain among residents in Abha City, Saudi Arabia.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2024Article
- Musculoskeletal pain among medical residents: role of workplace safety climate and sexual harassment.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Article
- Musculoskeletal disorders among dental assistants: a cross-sectional study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Article
- Effort-Reward Imbalance and Low Back Pain Among Industrial Workers: A Cross-sectional Study.Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran · 2024Article
- Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Impact on Job Performance Among School Teachers in Buraydah City.Cureus · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe purpose was to measure the prevalence and related risk factors of low back pain (LBP) among health care workers (HCWs) at different levels of health care in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
methodsA cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among HCWs providing primary, secondary and tertiary health care services in the Aseer region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire collected data regarding having LBP in the past 12 months, socio-demographics, work conditions and history of chronic diseases, regular physical exercise and overexertional back trauma. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.
resultsOut of 740 participants, the overall prevalence of LBP in the past 12 months amounted to73.9% (95% CI: 70.7-77.0). The prevalence of LBP with neurological symptoms reached 50.0%. The prevalence of LBP necessitating medications and or physiotherapy was 40.5%, while the prevalence of LBP requiring medical consultation was 20%. Using multivariable logistic regression, the following risk factors were identified: working in secondary and tertiary hospitals (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI:1.01-1.76), increased BMI (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI:1.01-3.65), and positive history of overexertional back trauma (aOR = 11.52, 95% CI:4.14-32.08). On the other hand, practising regular physical exercise was a significant protective factor (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42-0.89).
conclusionsLBP is a common problem among HCWs. Many preventable risk factors have been identified, including exertional back trauma, increased BMI and lack of regular physical exercise. Occupational health and safety programmes to build ergonomically safe working conditions and encourage regular physical exercise are needed.
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