ArticleFrontiers in public health2026
Whole-body vibration exposure and chronic low back pain among heavy machine operators and long-haul truck drivers in Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.
Article in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: The Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) in Tanzania has noted an increased rate of injury claims for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), particularly chronic low back pain among truck drivers and heavy machine operators. These trends indicate a likelihood of occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV), nevertheless local and contextual evidence is needed to guide policy and decision-making. This study aimed to quantity and characterize the WBV exposure and examined its association with self-reported 12-month chronic low back pain among heavy machine operators and long-haul truck drivers in Tanzania. Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study of 632 participants in 2023 with a total of 141 WBV measurements. The WBV was measured at the seat-operator interface and analyzed using the International Organization for Standardization - ISO 2631-1:1997 to derive 8-h equivalent daily exposure, A(8). A standardized and pretested questionnaire was used to collect information on WRMSDs related factors. Data were analyzed using regression models and Chronic low back pain was defined as self-reported low back pain during the preceding 12 months. Results: The mean A(8) was 0.63 m/s Conclusion: A significant number of measurements exceeded the Directive 2002/44/EC EAV, and a substantial proportion of workers reported chronic low back pain, suggesting a potential relationship. Preventive interventions to reduce WBV exposure could benefit heavy machine operators and truck drivers. Longitudinal studies with repeated measurements are warranted to better characterize exposure variability and WRMSDs.
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