Abstract:
Background: Low back pain is a common problem among the working populations, specifically
within the teaching profession. It is the leading cause of activity limitation and work absenteeism
among teachers. However, there was no evidence based information on low back pain among
primary and secondary school teachers in this study area. Hence, this study aimed to fill gap in
the study topic by searching for updated evidence on low back pain among primary and
secondary school teachers.
Objective: This study aimed to assess magnitude of low back pain and its associated factors
among school teachers Woliso Town, ,, Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design conducted among 416 school teachers
in Woliso Town from March 1 to 15, 2024. Study participants were selected by simple random
sampling using computer generated random numbers. Data were collected by self-administered
using standard Nordic questionnaire. The collected data entered using EPI-INFO version 7 and
analyzed by statistical package for social sciences version 25. Data were summarized using
descriptive analysis. Data analysis was done using bivariate and multivariable binary logistic
regression model. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05 along with 95%
Confidence interval.
Results: A total of 409 study participants were involved making a response rate of 98.3%. The
overall magnitude of low back pain among school teachers in the study area was 219 (53.5%)
(95%CI: 48.7%, 58.7%). Being in the age range of 31-40 years (AOR=3.08; 95%CI: 1.45, 6.52),
being older than 40 years (AOR=5.92; 95%CI: 2.53, 13.86), exposure to prolonged standing
during teaching (AOR=4.43; 95%CI: 1.90, 10.32), lack of rest between sessions (AOR=3.81;
95%CI: 2.36, 6.15), lack of training on occupational safety (AOR=3.84; 95%CI: 1.42, 10.37),
not satisfaction on job (AOR=2.08; 95%CI: 1.31, 3.30) and work place stress (AOR=2.86;
95%CI: 1.73, 4.71) were factors that significantly associated with low back pain.
Conclusion: The magnitude of low back pain among school teachers was high. Age of teacher,
prolonged standing during teaching, not having rest between sessions, lack of training
occupational safety, unsatisfied with job and work place stress were factors that were
significantly associated with low back pain. Therefore, it is important to focus on those factors to
limit low back pain among school teachers.
