Risk Behaviors Affecting Back Pain in Longan Farmers who Received Physical Therapy at Ban Hong Hospital, Lamphun

Abstract

Background: Most of the patients with back pain treated by physical therapy at Ban Hong Hospital, Lamphun, are longan farmers. Risk behaviors at work may be the cause of back pain.
Objective: To determine the risk behaviors and risk factors affecting back pain in longan farmers who received physical therapy at Ban Hong Hospital.
Materials and method: A case-controlled study was conducted among 76 longan farmers from December 2016 to January 2017. The study group consisted of 38 longan farmers with back pain (Oswestry Disability Questionnaire [ODQ] score >20%) who received physical therapy at Ban Hong Hospital. The control group consisted of 38 longan farmers without back pain (ODQ score < 20%) who were randomly recruited from the community. Demographic data, working
habits and ODQ score were recorded. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Risk factors for back pain were analyzed by binary logistic regression.
Results: The mean age of the study group was 56 years and most of them were female (71.1 %). Demographic data in both groups were not significantly different, except that the study group did less physical exercise (p<0.001). Risk factors for back pain were trunk flexion position (OR=12.80, 95% CI=2.22-73.95), sitting on the floor during longan picking (OR=9.46, 95% CI= 1.32-67.86), married status (OR=3.78, 95% CI=1.02-14.00) and monthly income 5,000-10,000 Baht
(OR=3.59, 95% CI=1.01-12.70).
Conclusion: Body posture while working including trunk flexion and sitting on the floor for a long time can cause back pain in longan farmers. A health education program should be promoted in order to set good trunk alignment while working and prevent further back pain.