Development and validation of a work-related low back pain risk-assessment tool for sugarcane farmers

This cross sectional study developed and validated a LBP risk-factor screening scale for use with sugarcane farmers. The scale was developed from a synthesis of LBP risk factors, pretested with 30 sugarcane farmers and administered to five hundred and forty sugarcane farmers to test its psychometric properties. Results indicated construct validity for three factors; physical factors (19 items) with factor loadings of 0.406 to 0.881 and communalities between 0.471 and 0.991; psychological factors (7 items) with factor loadings of 0.635 to 0.821 and communalities between 0.444 and 0.714, and third, working environment factors (2 items), with factor loadings between 0.345 and 0.347 and communalities between 0.946 and 0.953. The content validity index was 0.90 with reliability index of 0.87. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 82.02%, 30.49%, 62.65% and 54.40% respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic was 0.56. The scale’s high specificity and sensitivity and comprehensive three risk-factor dimensions should make it a very useful screening tool in primary health care for early detection of LBP and for LBP risk-reduction and prevention advice. Future studies could focus on confirming content and predictive validity in other settings to assess generality of its usage.