Lower Back Pain and Disability: An Occupational Public Health Dilemma of Chamalang, Balochistan Coal Miners

Abstract

Objective: Lower back pain (LBP) is a common problem associated with the musculoskeletal system due to abnormal and persistent working posture among coal miners. This study aims to explore the occupational and personal factors associated with LBP and disability in coal miners of Baluchistan.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chamalang, Baluchistan, spanned over four months. Using the random sampling technique, a total of 376 underground conventional coal miners were approached. A pre-validated structured questionnaire i.e., Oswestry Lower Back Pain Questionnaire based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used for data collection.  Descriptive statistics, correlations analysis and chi-square tests were performed for data analysis using SPSS version 20.0. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Amongst the 376 respondents with the age distribution 20-50 years, the majority (50%) were from the 31-41 years age group and, nearly all suffered from LBP and had developed varying degrees of disability. Occupational factors contributing towards LBP included lifting heavy loads (81.1%), static posture underground (81.9%), working in confined spaces (77.9%), jolts from machinery (66%) and personal factors contributing towards lower back pain were age, smoking (71.8%), and existing respiratory condition (58.5%). No significant association was found between job satisfaction and the lifting of heavy loads.

Conclusion: Increasing age, diagnosed respiratory condition and nature of work were found to be significantly associated with LBP in coal miners. It is recommended to define and implement proper guidelines for the coal miners. This will improve their quality of life, as well as minimize disability-oriented risks associated with LBP.