Perceptions of Work and Family Assistance and the Prevalence of Lower Back Problems in a South African Manganese Factory

An analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out among 109 manganese plant workers to examine the prevalence and association between lower back problems (LBP) and family and workplace related psychosocial risk factors. Outcome (LBP) was defined using a guided questionnaire and a f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Industrial Health 2006, Vol.44(4), pp.645-651
Main Authors: VUUREN, Bernard VAN, HEERDEN, Hendrik Johannes VAN, ZINZEN, Evert, BECKER, Piet, MEEUSEN, Romain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
APGAR
Back pain
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disability Evaluation
Epidemiology
Family - psychology
Humans
Industry
Low Back Pain - epidemiology
Low Back Pain - psychology
Male
Manganese
Manganese workers
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - psychology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
Psychosocial
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Social Perception
Social Support
South Africa
South Africa - epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Work control
Workplace - psychology
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Summary:An analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out among 109 manganese plant workers to examine the prevalence and association between lower back problems (LBP) and family and workplace related psychosocial risk factors. Outcome (LBP) was defined using a guided questionnaire and a functional rating index. Exposure to family and workplace related psychosocial risk was determined using the Occupational Risk Factor (ORFQ) and APGAR questionnaires for work and family support. Using inclusive and stringent definitions for perceived LBP, point prevalence was 37.6% and 29.4%, respectively. Only 8 cases of LBP were, however recorded officially over a 7-yr period (1996-2003). Multivariate analyses indicated a high, but non-significant odds ratio (OR) for negative perceptions of workplace support OR 3.29 (CI 0.95-11.30). A positive, non-significant, association for negative perceptions of family support (2.56; CI 0.69-9.52) and a protective, but non-significant, association for control over the order and pace of working tasks (OR 0.40; CI 0.12-1.35) was found. These findings together with the under-reporting, leads one to conclude that work hardening and a cultural ethos of non-complaining among manual labourers, moderates the association between LBP and the aetiological factors studied.
ISSN:0019-8366
1880-8026
DOI:10.2486/indhealth.44.645