Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among the Shopkeepers

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among the shopkeepers. Objectives: To identify the percentage of LBP among the shopkeepers, to find Sociodemographic information, to identify working posture, working hours, severity of pain, to explore whether shopkeepers stay away from work due to LBP & whether shopkeepers received physiotherapy treatment or not. Methodology: Cross sectional study design was selected for this study. Total 100 samples were selected by convenience sampling from different shops at Savar bazaar, Dhaka. Data was collected by mixed type questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis which focused pie chart and bar chart. Results: The Prevalence of LBP was 51% among the shopkeepers and the prevalence of LBP was higher among male shopkeepers 86.3% than female shopkeepers. The highest prevalence was found among long duration workers 49% who worked for 12 hours & 49% who worked for 14 hours. The most vulnerable age of LBP was 31-38 years. Outcome of this study showed that among the 51 participants who were suffering from LBP 39.2% had sudden onset of pain & 60.80% had gradual onset of pain. The study concludes that shopkeepers who were suffering from LBP 45.1% had mild pain, 33.3% had moderate pain & 21.6% had severe pain. 23.5% had work interruption & 76.5% had continued the work among the shopkeepers who were suffering from LBP. In this study shopkeepers who were suffering from LBP 9.8% were received physiotherapy treatment & 90.2% were not received physiotherapy treatment. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that LBP is prevalent among the shopkeepers at Savar bazar in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and this may be associated with the repetitive body movement during serving the customers, poor posture & long duration working hours.