Prevalence of low back pain in salespersons and its association with ergonomic risk factors in Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain (LBP), cause substantial economic loss to individuals as well as to the community. Salespersons in department stores are at an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms. Among these, LBP is most extensively reported. Their jobs involve prolonged standing and manual handling tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling which have been identified as risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of LBP in salespersons and its association with ergonomic risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey consisting of 150 salespersons from different malls between 20 and 40 years with body mass index between 18 and 24 kg/m 2 , having at least 1-year working experience and standing for 5 h/day, was conducted in Ahmedabad. Those with a history of trauma, preexisting medical conditions, or musculoskeletal deformities were excluded. One-year prevalence of self-reported LBP was assessed using Standardized Nordic Pain Questionnaire. Individual factors and ergonomic risk factors were also assessed. The level of significance was set at 5%. Statistical software GraphPad Prism version 5 was used for analysis. Results: One-year prevalence of self-reported LBP was 58%. Frequency of prolonged forward bending and twisting the body was significantly associated with LBP (P < 0.001). Working in static posture for longer periods during work was also associated with LBP (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Prevalence of self-reported LBP in salespersons of Ahmedabad was 58%, and it has a significant association with ergonomic risk factors.