Occupational Health Burden of Chronic Low Back Pain among Female Nurses in Bangladesh: Socioeconomic and Clinical Determinants

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major occupational health problem affecting healthcare workers globally, with female nurses being particularly vulnerable. In Bangladesh, where nursing workforce shortages compromise healthcare delivery, the burden of CLBP among nurses remains poorly documented. This study examined socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical determinants of CLBP severity among female nurses in a tertiary hospital in northern Bangladesh. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 female nurses with clinically diagnosed CLBP at Rangpur Medical College Hospital from September 14–23, 2023. Bivariate analysis using eta correlation and multivariate linear regression were performed to identify predictors of CLBP severity. Mean participant age was 35.8±7.2 years; 91.3% were married. Pain severity distribution showed 45.2% mild, 41.3% moderate, and 13.5% severe CLBP. BMI showed the strongest association with pain severity (eta=0.807, p<0.001). Multivariate regression identified four independent predictors explaining 70.2% of variance: BMI (β=0.925, p<0.001), number of children (β=0.070, p<0.05), monthly family income (β=0.044, p<0.05), and age (β=−0.094, p<0.05). CLBP is a significant occupational health burden among Bangladeshi female nurses, strongly influenced by modifiable factors, particularly obesity, and compounded by childcare responsibilities. Urgent implementation of workplace health promotion, weight management, ergonomic improvements, and family-friendly policies is needed.