Original Scientific Articles

Influence of work activities on lower back pain of healthcare workers

Authors

• • Ranka Ogurlić
  • PHI Health Center Herceg Novi
• • Emira Švraka
  • Federation of Associations of Persons with Cerebral Palsy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Eldad Kaljić
  • Fakultet zdravstvenih studija
• • Arzija Pašalić
  • Fakultet zdravstvenih studija
• • Muris Pecar
  • Fakultet zdravstvenih studija

Abstract

Introduction. Low back pain is often a disabling problem for most healthcare workers. It negatively affects health and work efficiency. It can be caused by work activities. The aim of the study was to examine which work activities were influential factors in low back pain in healthcare workers.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers employed in five institutions of three levels of healthcare in the southern region of Montenegro (December 2021-July 2022). The inclusion criteria were met by 192 voluntarily included respondents from various health professions. 
The research instrument was an anonymous questionnaire of 15 questions.
Results. There is a significant difference in the work activity of 63 primary, 67 secondary and 62 tertiary level respondents, average age 41.6±12.99 years. At work, primary-level respondents mostly stand (15.9%); secondary-level respondents mostly walk up stairs with a load, bend down, and stand and carry a load (16.4%, 7.5%, 14.9%); whereas tertiary-level respondents mostly sit, bend, and lift a heavy load (33.9%, 4.8%, 4.8%). There was a significant difference between the groups in pain intensity (p=0.003), pain with any body movement (p=0.017), and work activity interval (p<0.001), but not in absenteeism from work due to pain. Work activities are the most influential in pain for 23.9% of secondary level respondents. 
Conclusion. Standing, walking and carrying loads are influential work activities for lower back pain in healthcare workers. The positive correlation between work activity intervals and pain indicates the need to examine other contributing factors, but also to implement preventive measures that would be adapted to specific work requirements.

Keywords: low back pain, healthcare workers, work activities

How to Cite: Ogurlić, R. , Švraka, E. , Kaljić, E. , Pašalić, A. & Pecar, M. (2026) “Influence of work activities on lower back pain of healthcare workers”, Biomedicinska istraživanja. 17(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.59137/BII00694O