Work-related low back pain among clinical laboratory workers in Saudi Arabia

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of low back pain (LBP) on daily living activities among clinical laboratory workers in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among Laboratory professionals working in clinical or non-clinical settings. The data collection form consisted of three sections: sociodemographic information, modified ODI scale, and short-form survey-36 (SF-36). Descriptive statistics of all independent variables were calculated. Results: Out of 89 workers, 64% reported LBP. LBP was significantly associated with female gender (90%) (p<0.001). Clinical practitioners (69.6%) reported higher LBP than office workers (45%). 34.8% reported mild disability, 15.7% moderate disability, and only 1.1% reported severe disability. 26.3% said their health had gotten worse over the previous year. Conclusion: LBP is a major work-related illness that affects medical laboratory workers, particularly women and those in clinical settings. Addressing this issue requires targeted physical activity and stress management interventions, as well as specific educational initiatives to improve knowledge of proper body mechanics.