Prevalence of Back Pain and Associated Factors among Bank Staff in Selected Banks in Kigali, Rwanda: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Banking has made people run and develop their businesses well, use of computers is a revolution in which work is made easier in banks, it has however been revealed to cause musculoskeletal pain. Computer use requires prolonged sitting or improper body alignment which strains the vertebral column causing back pain. Objectives: The study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with back pain among bank staff in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study employing a quantitative approach. A total of 144 employees from two banks constituted the sample size for the study through random sampling and interviewed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Chi-square test (p<0.05) and odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence interval were computed to establish the association between back pain and independent variables. Binary logistic regression model was used to identify variables independently associated with back pain. Results: The prevalence of back pain among the bank staff was found to be 45.8%. Multiple logistic regression revealed that having no break off during working time {AOR=3.96; 95% CI=1.71-9.20; p<0.001}, sitting in a back bent position {AOR=9.20; 95% CI=2.41-35.17; p=0.001} and sitting in back twisted position {AOR=25.87; 95% CI=6.71-99.65; p<0.001} were predictors of back pain. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high prevalence of back pain among bank staff and factors like sitting in back bent, back twisted, and having no break off during working time are independently associated with back pain among bank staff. Therefore, it is recommended that break offs and proper ergonomics to avoid back twists and back bents are needed to prevent back pain.