Assessment of prevalence and factors associated with perceived lower back pain among the bicycle rickshaw pullers in Dhaka.

Abstract

Lower back pain (LBP) is a prevalent issue affecting individuals globally. This study explored factors associated with LBP among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 299 bicycle rickshaw pullers in Mirpur from July to November 2019. Data were collected using a pilot-tested semi-structured questionnaire employing convenience sampling, and analyzed with SPSS. All the participants were males (mean age: 36.69 ± 9.61 years; age ranges: 18-58 years). 33% of the participants self-reported LBP. The LBP was significantly associated with older age (>40 years), lower educational qualification, stressful working environment, heavy object lifting, and mental stress during work. There is a need for strategies to prevent and manage LBP, especially in those who are older that could include more training on better postures and lifting heavy loads, improvements in vehicles, and enhanced health and wellbeing.