Novel findings in Occupation and Posture Related Musculoskeletal Low Back Pain: A Cross-sectional Study of Female Traders in Benin City Nigeria

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a pervasive musculoskeletal condition affecting millions worldwide, with approximately 7.5% of the global population experiencing it (Hartvigsen et al., 2018). It is not just a clinical concern but a major public health issue, ranking as the leading cause of disability globally. Despite its widespread impact, the interplay between occupational posture and LBP remains an area of ongoing debate, particularly in physically demanding jobs. Market women, who spend long hours lifting, bending, standing, and sitting in non-ergonomic conditions, represent an understudied yet critical population in this discourse. However, research on LBP in this population remains limited, leaving a gap in understanding how occupational posture contributes to its development. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 market women selected from two markets using purposive sampling. The Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was employed to assess LBP prevalence, while the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool evaluated postural risk levels associated with specific work tasks. Chi-square tests and Spearman’s Rank Correlation were used for statistical analysis, with significance set at p=0.05. Results: The findings revealed that 38.8% of participants exhibited a medium risk of musculoskeletal disorders, while 29.9% and 29.4% demonstrated high and very high risks, respectively. The mean REBA score was 5.85 ± 1.77. A significant relationship was observed between posture and LBP (rho=0.741; p=0.05), with bending and lifting being the most common postures linked to increased LBP risk (rho=0.184; p=0.001). Conclusion: This study expanded knowledge in a critical global health issue among the underserved and rarely studied occupational group. By identifying work risk factors strongly linked to low back pain among the studied population of market women in Benin City, this research provides information for an evidence-based ergonomic interventions in labor-intensive occupations worldwide. Its findings will also contribute to a broader understanding of how work-related postures affect musculoskeletal health across different settings, offering practical applications for both preventive policy making and management strategies.