Predictors of Low Back Pain Risk among Rubber Harvesters

Low back pain (LBP) is a significant work-related musculoskeletal disorder among rubber farmers. This major occupational health problem was highly reported in the agricultural sector. While rubber farming is a profession with high risk of LBP, predictors for LBP remain unclear. This study was designed to investigate the risk predictors of LBP among rubber farmers during the harvesting process. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2021, in which an interviewer administered a pretested structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 317 rubber farmers were recruited with a 100% response rate. The prevalence of LBP was 71.2% with 95% confidence interval (CI) of (0.716–1.900). Significant risk predictors were working experience (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.743, 95% CI (1.034–2.937)), agricultural registration (AOR: 2.022, 95% CI (1.078–3.792)), work without training (AOR: 2.037, 95% CI (1.083–3.832)), heavy workload (AOR: 2.120, 95% CI (1.242–3.621)), and prolonged standing (AOR: 2.944, 95% CI (1.586–5.465)). Intriguingly, those with sufficient income had a reduced risk of LBP than those with insufficient income. This study confirmed that LBP is a major work-related musculoskeletal disorder among rubber farmers. The result here suggests that the five predictors reported above should be prioritized for further disease prevention.