Abstract
Background: Prevalence of low back pain was always in the top among teachers and academic personnel
in Thailand. It might be beneficial to clarify risk factors for raising self-awareness and even program development for mass. Methods: The aim of this study was to study working posture and environments
related to low back pain, in order to determine risk factors. Subjects (n=713) were recruited from 4
regions, 56 provinces whom attended Health Leadership workshop during November 17, 2010 to March
6, 2011. Descriptive data was described with number, percentage, average and standard deviation, while
inferential statistics was analyzed by logistic regression. Results: 76.08% of participants reported low back
pain. The severity by the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire showed minimal disability average scores at
13.2 (± 9). While analyzing for risk factors, the interesting results demonstrated as followed: history of
accidents related to low back pain caused 6.64 times over no accidents; working with bending position
had 2.20 times higher risk and working with squatting down had 1.74 times risk compared to no squatting
ob.
Conclusion: Working positions is one of factors related to low back pain among teachers and academic
personnel; therefore, adjusting personal behaviors, appropriate working environments should reduce
symptoms. These would lead to improved efficiency and better quality of work life.
