RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, associated with low back pain among hospital staff in a developing country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This transversal study was conducted from March 2007 to February 2008 at Yalgado Ouédraogo Teaching Hospital in Ouagadougou (CHU-YO), Burkina Faso. RESULTS: There were 256 men and 180 women with an average age of 38 +/- 8.25 years (range, 22 to 58). Mean BMI was 25.11 +/- 4.03 Kg/m2. The prevalence of chronic low back pain was 56.4% overall, 47.3% in men and 69.4% in women. Individual risk factors included female sex (p=0.000004), age (p=0.026), and high BMI (p=0.0002). Sports activity appeared to be a protective factor (p=0,035). Professional risk factors were the number of working hours per week (p=0,005) and numbers of guards per month (p=0.014) and posture during work (p=0.01). Analysis of socioprofessional consequences revealed significant impact in 43 (17,5%) patients. The loss work hours in 2007 were estimated to 1020. Three patients had to change working stations due to disability and 82 (19%) reported restricted working capacity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low back pain is high among hospital staff of CHU-YO. Preventive measures are needed to reduce socioprofessional consequences.