• Chinonso Nwamaka Igwesi-Chidobe, Confidence N Ifeanyichukwu, Joshua P Okorie, Muhammad Faisal, and Benjamin C Ozumba.
• School of Allied Health Professions and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom; Global Population Health (GPH) Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Electronic address: c.igwesi-chidobe@bradford.ac.uk.
• J Pain. 2024 Apr 8: 104526104526.

AbstractLow back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of years lived with disability globally, with Nigeria having one of the greatest burdens. A current episode of LBP is important in Nigeria, but the associated factors are unknown. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence, biomechanical, and psychosocial factors associated with a current episode of LBP among 700 adult market traders with previous LBP in an urban Nigerian population. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. The prevalence of a current episode of LBP was 76.4%. Factors associated with an increased risk of a current episode of LBP in a decreasing order of importance were exposure to biomechanical factors (aggregate [total] score) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.535; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.398-1.685); anxiety (OR = 1.182; 95% CI = 1.089-1.282); fear-avoidance beliefs (physical activity) (OR = 1.139; 95% CI = 1.029-1.261); fear-avoidance beliefs (work) (OR = 1.105; 95% CI = 1.047-1.165); while factors associated with a reduced risk of a current episode of LBP were ability to take breaks in the job in addition to scheduled breaks (OR = .430; 95% CI = .240-.773) and ability to control the order and pace of tasks (OR = .477; 95% CI = .236-.965). Occupational biomechanical and psychosocial factors were associated with a current episode of LBP in logistic regression models explaining 52.7% and 73.1% of the variation in a current episode of LBP. Occupational biomechanical factors, particularly handling large and bulky objects at arm's length and kneeling and squatting, produced the greatest risk of a current episode of LBP. PERSPECTIVE: Occupational biomechanical factors, occupational psychosocial factors, and personal psychosocial factors such as anxiety and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with a current episode of LBP in Nigeria. Pragmatic public health and occupational health initiatives that modify exposure to these factors may be required in Nigeria.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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