Epidemiological Insights into Work-Related Low Back Pain Among Industrial Laborers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Etisam Wahid; Shahzad Ahmad; Muhammad Sanan Khan; Naima Bibi; Nimrah Humayoon; Mehran Khan; Sana Bibi; Ayesha Nasir

doi:10.55735/21zhny10

Authors

Etisam Wahid University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Swat, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0227-3735
Shahzad Ahmad University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Swat, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6319-7934
Muhammad Sanan Khan Anatomy Health Club, Islamabad, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3520-6474
Naima Bibi Institute of Health Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan
Nimrah Humayoon Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8164-7327
Mehran Khan Hope Rehabilitation Hospital, Swat, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2532-6290
Sana Bibi Institute of Health Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan
Ayesha Nasir Mahaban Hospital, Swabi, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7459-1093

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55735/21zhny10

Keywords:

Ergonomics , Epidemiology , Industrial workers , Low back pain , Occupational health , Risk factors

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is among the most common occupational health problems worldwide, yet its burden among industrial laborers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, remains underexplored. Objective: To explore epidemiological insights into work-related low back pain among industrial laborers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for a 1-year of time period from May 2024 to May 2025 among 330 male industrial laborers from three industries in Gadoon Industrial Estate, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling, and data were collected using a Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Workers who had a previous history of spinal trauma or surgery, or any congenital deformities of the spine, systemic musculoskeletal or neurological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or multiple sclerosis were excluded from the study. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS version 27 to calculate prevalence, frequencies, and percentages were calculated. Results: The prevalence of low back pain was 233(70.6%). The most affected age group was 40-55 years (97.4%), followed by 25-40 years (80.1%). Longer work duration was strongly associated with low back pain; workers with 15-20 years of experience reported a 100% prevalence. Daily working hours also influenced outcomes, with the highest prevalence among those working ≥12 hours (81.8%). Standing was the most frequently reported position contributing to pain (38.8%), followed by sitting (34.8%). Low back pain significantly interfered with personal care (41.6%), travelling (59.2%), sitting/standing (74.2%), and lifting objects (74.2%). Most affected workers reported mild (46.4%) or moderate (37.3%) pain, while 15.5% experienced severe pain. Conclusion: Low back pain is highly prevalent among industrial workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly among older workers, those with longer work histories, and extended hours. Standing posture and prolonged sitting are key occupational risk factors.

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