Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and health workers in Ghana are no exception.

A new study by researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) School of Public Health, conducted in the Greater Accra Region, has revealed that an alarming 81.6% of health workers suffer from LBP. Several job-related factors contribute to this high prevalence and are influencing many to consider leaving their jobs.

Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study was conducted between January and May 2023 and involved 607 health workers from 10 public and private hospitals. It aimed to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and turnover intention associated with LBP among hospital staff.

The findings show that age, long working hours, overtime, and physical demands such as patient transfers are key contributors to the development of LBP. In addition, poor posture at work and perceptions of understaffing were also found to significantly increase the risk of injury.

Led by Dr. Philip Apraku Tawiah from the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the KNUST School of Public Health, the study revealed that advanced age, working more than five days a week, and frequently transferring patients significantly raised the likelihood of experiencing LBP.

Interestingly, health workers who reported sleeping more than eight hours a night or sitting intermittently during their shifts were less likely to suffer from LBP, suggesting that proper rest and ergonomic practices could help reduce the condition.

Beyond the physical toll, the study also identified a troubling link between LBP and turnover intention. Nearly a quarter of participants (24.9%) indicated that they occasionally considered leaving their jobs due to the pain they experienced.

“These highlights not only the physical burden but also the emotional and mental strain that LBP is placing on healthcare professionals in Ghana,” Dr. Tawiah said.

The researchers recommend “improving staffing levels, promoting ergonomic practices, and encouraging proper rest and posture to help reduce the incidence of LBP and support the overall well-being of health workers”.

Co-authors of this study are: Dr. Emmanuel Appiah-Brempong, Dr. Paul Okyere, Geoffrey Adu-Fosu and Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo.