Occupational Related Upper and Low Back Pain Among Working Population of Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: Back pains, such as low and upper back pains are among the most common musculoskeletal conditions that can cause major public health and socioeconomic problems. Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability that reduces worker performance and well-being and increases absence from work, which can cause an enormous economic burden. In developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia, there is no adequate evidence on the overall prevalence of occupational-related low and upper back pains and remain less prioritized and empirically unrepresented. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational-related low and upper back pains among the working population of Ethiopia.Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis considered studies conducted in Ethiopia, written in English, and published from 2017-2020. Articles were searched from nine electronic databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online database and Science Direct) using a combination of Boolean logic operators, Medical Subject Headings and main keywords. The quality assessment of the articles was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools to determine the relevance of the articles to the study. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence, the 95% confidence interval, and the degree of heterogeneity among the included studies. Sensitivity analyzes were performed to identify the influence of outliers and to identify sources of heterogeneity.Results: Of the 1,114 studies identified from the included databases, 20 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of occupational-related upper and low back pain in the previous year was 27.1% [95% CI: 18.4, 37.9] and 54.2% [95% CI: 48.2, 60.0], respectively. Based on a subgroup analysis by publication year, study population and countries where the studies are conducted, the prevalence of upper back pain was 43.8% [95% CI: 39.3, 47.7], 34.7% [95% CI: 33.1, 36.2], and 36.2% [95% CI: 33.6, 39.0], respectively, while the prevalence of low back pain was 61.8% [95% CI: 58.9, 64.6], 52.8% [95% CI: 51.3, 54.3] and 55.2% [95% CI: 51.4, 59.0], respectively.Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that 54.2% of the included study participants experienced low back pain in the previous year, while 27.1% experienced upper back pain. These problems may be reduced by considering proper observation of the principles of ergonomics in the workplace, and performing physical exercises on a regular basis.