Abstract :
Introduction: Occupational back pain is most common symptoms among seated workers, standing workers, truck drivers and so on. Driving frequently involves many risk factors such as prolonged sitting and motor vehicle driving, vibration, tight running schedules, reduced rest breaks, the sedentary nature of job etc. Backache in working individuals is a commonly present complaint.
Determining whether a patient's low backache is a consequence of occupational activity can be challenging. Various studies across the world show prevalence of backache as 45-60%. Very few studies were carried out in India amongst heavy vehicle operators regarding backache and the occupational factors associated with it.
Objectives: To find the spectrum, epidemiological profile, prevalence of backache and occupational factors associated with it in 50 dumper operators of a private Iron Ore Mine of Eastern India (Jharkhand).
Methodology: A cross-sectional study on 50 dumper operators of a private Iron Ore Mine of Eastern India.
Results: As per this study prevalence of backache among the dumper operators is 42% and more common in persons above 40 years of age (81%) and working experience more than 15 years (72%).
BMI had been established as an important indicator for backache when the study reveals that 72% of the workers have BMI ≥25 (overweight, obese).
Average RMDQ (Ronald-Morris Disability Questionnaire) in comparison to workers with and without backache was 5.3 and 3.1 respectively which is almost similar (5.1 and 3.9 respectively) to the study in India by BorleAmod and others in Truck drivers of Nagpur, India.
Conclusions: In the present study it was established that backache is a very common problem in dumper operators. It is cumulative trauma disorder. Injury develops gradually over a period of weeks, months, or even years as a result of stress. Other non-occupational activities may also lead to backache like sports and house hold heavy work.
Keyword :
Backache, Dumper operators, BMI, RMDQ