Iran Occupational Health

  Background and Aim

  Epidemiologic data of LBPand NSPare sparse from developing countries for example iran .This prospective cohort study was conducted with 1 year follow - up to assess incidence and recurrence of disabling low back (LBP) and neck-shoulder pain (NSP) in Iran khodro industrial group .and to investigate the association with sex and job title during follow- up.

  Methods

  All employees (18.031) were invited to participate in a baseline survey Nordic questionnaire and followed for 1 year regarding new episodes of sickness absence due to LBP or  NSP(disabling pain).

  Results

  The 1- year incidence LBP was 2.1% and of NSP 0.1% Although the prevalence of LBP  in females was higher than in males. The incidence disabling LBP were higher in males. Both  prevalence and incidence of disabling LBP were high in unskilled workers. For NSP managers had the highest reported prevalence .but incident cases happened only among office workers and unskilled workers.

  Conclusion

  The incidence . especially for NSP . is much lower than from developed countries .  To study prevalence. Incidence and recurrence of LBP and NSP simultaneously leads to a better understanding of the natural pattern and distribution of LBP and NSP in a working population.