1.1 INTRODUCTION
Low back pain (LBP) is defined as a musculoskeletal disorder that is to be due to a sprain or stain in the muscles and soft tissues of the back1
. It is a disorder with many possible aetiologies, occurring in different groups, and is also a common health condition in working populations. Intensification of work, changes in scheduling and organization of the workplace, rising demands on employees as well as new technologies lead to situations characterized by additional pressure and stress. As a result, more and more occupational or work related diseases have appeared such as musculoskeletal problems, stress, occupational burnout, chronic exhaustion and depression2
.Low back pain occurs more frequently in men while some women may experience it due to certain medical conditions such as pregnancy, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer, or uterine fibroid3
.The prevalence of low back pain can be extensively managed engaging in physical activities such as massage, stretching and exercises, which limits the pain and aids in recovery. Exercises restores motion and strength to lower back and can be helpful in preventing further episodes of low back pain4
.In Nigeria, radiographers are employed in hospitals and radiology services, whose duties are in diagnostic imaging examination, including diagnostic or conventional radiography, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, radiotherapy, ultransonography and mammography. Radiographers’ tasks include preparing the patients for the radiological examination, positioning and immobilizing them on examination table, positioning radiographic equipment over the appropriate area of patient’s body, and in some cases developing X-ray films.
Thus, work tasks performed by radiographers frequently involve manual handling of patients and equipment. Manual handling is an important risk factor in occupational musculoskeletal disorders of healthcare workers; for example, a high prevalence of low back pain has been reported among nurses5
. Similarly, recent studies have shown occupational musculoskeletal disorders to be a common problem among radiographers, with high prevalence rates for low back (60% to 75%), problem6
.However to my knowledge, limited data have been reported concerning low back pain among practicing radiographers in government hospitals in Nigeria and particularly in Enugu and Ebonyi States, which were therefore the subjects of this study.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
1.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
This study will cover practicing radiographers in Federal and State Tertiary Hospitals in Enugu and Ebonyi States.