Prevalence and Risk Factors for Low Back Pain Among Professional Drivers in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of low back pain (LBP) among professional drivers in Nigeria. Two hundred male drivers aged 19–64 years were recruited in the study. Data regarding prevalence, individual risk factors, and impact of LBP were obtained. The prevalence rate of LBP was 73.5%, and LBP have affected the driving performance of up to 74% drivers. After adjustment for age, LBP prevalence was associated with driving for >15 hours/day (odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]): (0.04; 0.01, 0.20), driving car (5.52; 1.55, 19.64), and driving bus (10.49; 2.63, 41.82). No association was found between LBP prevalence and years spent driving. The study found that high prevalence of LBP affected the performance of a substantial percentage of the participants.

Keywords:

• long-distance driving
• low back pain
• prevalence
• professional drivers

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to sincerely acknowledge the road transport union executives for their kind permission and the drivers who voluntarily participated in this study.