Ergonomic Risk Factors for Low Back Pain among Three-Wheel Drivers in Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Driving a three-wheel car is an emerging job opportunity in most parts of developing countries. Drivers are at risk for developing low back pain (LBP). However, very little is known about the association between ergonomics factors and LBP among three-wheel drivers.

Objective: This study was aimed to identify ergonomic risk factors of LBP among three-wheel drivers.

Methods: . Among 422 planned respondents, 396 (93.8%) have given the complete response. The mean age of the study population was 27.94 (±5.45). One hundred four (26.26%) out of 396 participants had experienced low back pain in the last 12 months. Driving in sitting upright position OR = 0.32 (95% CI = 0.12-0.86), steer wheel handling OR = 3.02 (95% CI = 1.58-5.77), not holding extra passengers OR = 0.35 (95% CI = 0.21, 0.60), rest breaks, and brand of the three-wheel vehicles were significantly associated with LBP.

Conclusion: Nearly more than one-fourth of three-wheel drivers in our study had LBP. The finding implies a significant number of three-wheel drivers are at risk of developing reduced well-being. An appropriate health visit, lifestyle modification, and adequate policy should be established in the study area.