Risk Factors for Developing Occupational Back Pain in Electronics Industry Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Back pain is an occupation-related problem among workforces. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of back pain and the risk factors of occupational back pain among workers in the electronics industry. In total, 354 electronics workers in Thailand participated in the study. Data were collected using the Musculoskeletal Disorders Severity and Frequency Questionnaire, the Job Content Questionnaire, and ergonomics risk assessment via the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). Risk factors of back pain were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis, providing adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The study found that most workers were operators (92.09%) and had repetitive work (83.62%). A high ergonomics risk was observed in workers who stood during work (68.49%) and operated machines (71.70%). The 1-month prevalence of developing back pain was 20.62% and the significant factors correlated with back pain were low levels of job control and decision-making (ORadj = 2.26; 95% CI [1.26, 4.05]), lack of exercise (ORadj = 8.30; 95% CI [1.35, 24.28]), repetitive work (ORadj = 2.94; 95% CI [1.19, 7.29]), and high ergonomic risk level (ORadj = 2.81; 95% CI [1.16, 5.07]). These findings suggest that measures should be implemented by empowering electronics workers to make decisions and control their jobs, as well as promoting health through muscle-stretching exercise, to support back pain prevention.