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.