Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among Emergency Medical Technicians of the Ghana National Ambulance Service in the Greater Accra Region.

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a clinical condition which is becoming common among working population worldwide, including, Ghana. However, the lack of data on its prevalence and associated risk factors among EMTs in Ghana limits efforts to mitigate the effects on these group of workers. Objective: This study therefore sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among EMTs in Greater Accra Region. Methods: The study was cross sectional in design involving administering 151 questionnaires to EMTs across all the sixteen ambulance stations in Greater Accra. Bivariate analyses using Chi square and a multiple logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors that influences low back pain among EMTs. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of LBP among EMTs was 48.2% which is similar to the findings of a study on low back pain among emergency technicians of the International Association of Emergency Technicians which had a prevalence of 47%. Poor health seeking behaviour (AOR=0.02; 95% CI=0.001-0.223) and frequency of exercise (AOR= 0.12; 95% CI=0.015-0.949) were found to be significantly associated with low back pain. Conclusion: The study suggests that there is increasing prevalence of LPBs among EMTs and that, there is the need for management to incorporate regular fitness training at the stations, and regular medical screening to mitigate the effects of this lower back pain.