Occupational factors for Low Back Pain among tea plantation workers in Kericho County

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem in the world. It is estimated that 60% of all employees experience LBP at some point in their lives. In Kenya, it is estimated that 64% of tea pickers suffer from LBP of these, 29% had a history of back pain before they started picking tea. The study aimed at determining the occupational risk factors for LBP among tea plantation workers in Kericho County. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Pearson’s chi square (χ2) test was used to measure the associations. The study was a cross-sectional survey that sampled 454 adults (335 tea pickers and 119 non-tea pickers). The prevalence of LBP was found to be 45.4% (125/335) and 39.5% (47/119) among tea pickers and non-tea pickers respectively. Age, parity and duration of work were found to be related to LBP among tea pickers and non-tea pickers (χ2=8.643; P=0.034 and χ2=6.013; P=0.049) respectively in bivariate analysis. However, the number of hours worked per day was significantly associated with LBP among tea pickers only (χ2=17.192; P<0.0001). Further, the number of kilograms of tea leaves picked and the number of kilograms carried per day was also significantly associated with LBP (χ2=16.882; P<0.0001 and χ2=15.978; P<0.0001) respectively. There was a significant association of LBP with carrying of heavy load and how one sharpened farm tools among the non tea pickers who reported to have suffered LBP (χ2=13.129; P<0.0001 and χ2=4.125; P=0.042) respectively. However, age (P<0.0001; 95% CI 0.18-0.508), hours worked per day (P<0.0001; 95% CI 4.623-42.808) and perception that occupation causes LBP (P<0.0001; 95% CI 29.152-237) was found to predict LBP among tea pickers. The prevalence of LBP was found to be high among both tea and non-tea pickers. There is need to adhere to the occupational safety and health guidelines and standards in order to minimize low back pain associated with tea picking and non-tea picking.